One of the biggest challenges faced by small food businesses is finding locally sourced and bulk goods to produce their products and recipes – at a reasonable price. PREP offers to its members centralized purchasing and distribution services for food and supplies through its partnership with US Foods – helping save time and money.
Procurement Q & A
How do I sign up with US Foods and/or Royal Produce?
Once you become a PREP member, you will receive an email from Mitch Long/PREP, introducing you to Kelli Smith with US Foods and Michael Coralli with Royal Produce. There is no obligation or cost to open an account with either of the companies. Simply email Mitch Long at mitchl@prepatl.com, informing him that you wish to set up an account with one or both of the companies. He will then contact Kelli and/or Micheal and they will then reach out to you. Both companies will ask for your Federal and State Tax ID numbers, so to expedite the process, please have all relevant information (trade references, payment information, and owner/s) available.
How do I place an order?
Both US Foods and Royal Produce utilize online ordering systems. Each will require a login and password. Based on the information you provide, the sales representatives can/may prepare your custom order guide, making the process of ordering faster and easier. Your specific product needs will be discussed and reviewed by your sales representative when the account becomes active. Reminder text and phone calls can be put in place if you want. If you have a larger than normal need, based on a big festival to new customers, it is beneficial to alert your sales representative, so they can ensure your products are available.
How is it beneficial for me? Why use US Foods or Royal?
Simply put….time is money. Many of our members are “start-ups” and may not need a case of potatoes…for example, but as business/sales grow, going to the grocery store or Sam’s/Costco/Restaurant Depot will be time-consuming and any perceived value will be lost. As a business owner, one should focus on the business…not shopping. US Foods and Royal both offer 5 days a week delivery. Members benefit from the relationship the PREP has with US Foods and Royal. NO other restaurant or facility gets five days a week deliveries. This delivery schedule allows our members to control cash flow and limit inventory. Order what you need, when you need it.
Where and when will my order be delivered?
Orders from either Royal or US Foods are delivered Monday through Friday. Delivery times are normally from 7:00 am to noon, but may be impacted by weather/traffic. MFSO members and Shared/Common Kitchen members will have their orders delivered to the common delivery areas at PREP 1, PREP 2, and PREP 4, depending on which location the member operates. Products will be delivered to the freezer, cooler, or dry storage as determined by the nature of the product( fries in the freezer, produce in cooler, foil in dry storage). Products are labeled and tagged and sorted by member, making it easy to identify your items. Orders are required to be retrieved and moved from the common delivery area within 24 hours of delivery. Members operating from their unit will have deliveries made directly to that unit, again with items being placed in the proper storage location based on the nature of the product. Any delivery issue MUST be communicated to the sales representative immediately upon discovery. In some cases, the sales representative may be able to recover/replace the item and/or issue credit.
Monday through Friday key drop delivery to your kitchen or storage unit
Take advantage of bulk prices without buying in bulk
National franchise negotiated pricing but for small food entrepreneurs
Extra horsepower for your business.
PREP’s partnership with US Foods means you have the buying power of a $15 billion business behind you. It allows members to benefit from a nationally competitive pricing structure for food, supplies, cleaning and disposable items. The US Foods catalog contains over 15,000 listed items and access to even more non-listed products.
PREP members utilizing US Foods benefit from the group purchasing, which eliminates order minimums, allowing members to control inventory levels and monitor expenses.
Unparalleled support.
Beyond ease in ordering and delivery, US Foods also provides inventory software, recipe development, online payment and ongoing support via the onsite US Foods Service representative. PREP members using US Foods also have access to the US Foods test kitchen and to Culinary Specialist.
As PREP’s Procurement Manager, Mitch Long is also routinely available to help with products and ordering needs or to assist with identifying and sourcing items that US Foods may not carry.