Being business-like

Buying food

The key to buying food stuff is negotiating with suppliers to purchase the goods you want at a good price. As a buyer it is your responsibility to shop around to find the best quality for your customers. This can be a challenge when buying perishable products such as fruit and vegetables. The good news is that buying gets a lot easier when you have built up a list of suppliers which you can switch between.

Related resources

  • Finding suppliers

    Try directories such as www.192.com or www.yell.com or ask other local businesses in your area. If you order in bulk you can often negotiate free delivery, which means you can consider suppliers further afield.

  • The Scottish Co-op Community Food Discount Card

    Community food initiatives likely to spend at least £50 per week can apply for a Community Food Discount Card giving a 10% discount at Scottish Co-op food stores. For details, contact Linda Rae, part of the membership team on 0141 304 5400 or linda.rae@co-op.co.uk.

  • Supermarkets

    It is not illegal to re-sell supermarket food. It is illegal to sell food which is has passed its use-by date. Supermarket may be able to donate food which is near to its use-by date. If you take a shop up on this offer you will have the responsibility to use or retail the food before the use-by date.

    Many supermarkets support community activity either by giving small grants, advertising jobs or publicising events and services. There are two ways to contact your local supermarket:

    1. find their website and call up the head office
    2. walk in to your local branch and ask to speak to the manager or to customer services.

  • The Scottish Co-op Corporate Membership

    Community stores not run for private profit can apply for corporate membership of the Co-operative Group, allowing them to receive direct deliveries on the same terms as Co-op stores. Applications forms available on the Co-op website. For corporate membership contact Tor Justad 01463 717292 tor.justad@co-op.co.uk.

  • FareShare

    This national charity redistributes surplus food to people in need. Fare Share works with local partners to redistribute food; in Scotland there are bases in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Dundee.

  • Independent retailers

    Local retailers have a wealth of experience on local shopping habits. They can tell you which part of the day is busy, the type of people who shop in their store and what they buy. Building up a relationship with your local retailer will mitigate against a feeling of competition. Your best back-up option when you are short of supplies is often your local shop.

  • Bulk buying options

    Cash-and-carries or buying co-operatives can offer lower prices on many lines. To make a purchase you may be asked to become a member or purchase a minimum amount.

  • Networks of suppliers and local growers

    Using local suppliers is an opportunity to build up relationships with local businesses. Most local suppliers are listed in local directories.

  • Fruit and vegetable markets

    There are two main fruit and vegetable markets which supply Scotland. Vans from these markets set off early every morning with fresh produce to retailers, processors and restaurants across Scotland. You don’t have to place a bulk order to use wholesale markets but you do have to be prepared to deal with suppliers who will prioritise the largest order that day.

    Markets Group Glasgow City Council
    130 Blochairn Road
    Glasgow
    G21 2DU
    0141 287 2500

    Total Produce
    Bankhead Way
    Sighthill Industrial Estate
    Edinburgh
    EH1 4FB
    0131 458 6060

    Other wholesale fruit and vegetable suppliers are listed in directories such as the Yellow Pages.

  • Get in touch with other community initiatives

    The CFHS directory holds information on community food initiatives across Scotland. Different initiatives use different approaches to buying food. Get in contact with other community food initiatives to learn what they do.

  • Local authority buying power

    Your local authority is a purchaser of huge volumes of food for council offices, schools and other council-run services. Each local authority has a procurement division which is devoted to getting the local authority best value on its purchases. You can ask your local authority for a list of suppliers. You may also consider negotiating with the local authority to persuade them to use their buying power with suppliers to get you a better price.