Wholesale Distribution

Selling large quantities of produce to buyers over a large area can be a challenge for any one farm.  And many small farms lack the vehicles, time and manpower to drive their goods all over the Bay Area. 

Enter wholesale distribution.  These companies buy from producers around the region and sell them onwards to chefs, retailers and institutions.  They handle the logistics so that farmers can focus on the growing.

FEED Sonoma, Petaluma CA, 707-508-7702

Marin-Sonoma Produce, Petaluma CA, 707-773-2211

Veritable Vegetable, San Francisco CA, 415-641-3500

Mendo Lake Food Hub, Ukiah CA, 707-467-3238

If you’re a farmer considering selling wholesale, check out the following resources:

• How to Sell Produce Wholesale (UCSAREP, UC’s Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program) - tips and practical resources to help with pricing and packing for distribution
• Wholesale Success (FamilyFarmed.org) - 300-page training guide with essential info on pack sizes, best post-harvest practices, and all the essentials to evaluate the profitability of wholesale for you
• Scaling Up: Perspectives from Growers & Buyers (Leopold Center, Iowa) - a series of interviews on the benefits and challenges of increasing produce sales through wholesale channels. 15 farmers, 12 distributors.