Wheatgrass has become a popular ingredient for a variety of healthy products. This includes everything from juice smoothies to tablet supplements. If your business produces products that require wheatgrass as an ingredient, then it is important to find a reliable and trustworthy wholesale distributor. As a niche product, wheatgrass can still be fairly expensive, and this makes it all the more important to select a supplier that will provide you with fair prices and timely shipments. As an ingredient that is primarily sought out by market segments interested in healthy, natural foods and supplements, many of your customers are also likely interested in the methods used to produce the wheatgrass that is used in your products.
Consider Organic Labeling
Regardless of where you personally stand on the issue of organic vs. non-organic food, there is no denying that the organic label can have a powerful marketing impact. This effect is magnified in demographics that are already focused on healthy living and eating. Customers interested in the health benefits of wheatgrass will almost universally fall into this category, and having your products certified as organic by the USDA requires that the ingredients used meet strict USDA guidelines. This means that selecting a distributor comes with the added challenge of ensuring that their products will not impact your ability to receive certification.
Choose a Reputable Supplier
Whether you have decided to pursue organic certification for your products or not, choosing a wholesaler with a strong reputation is absolutely vital. This is true for any industry, but it is especially true when dealing with ingredients for food products. Any defects in the ingredients you receive will reflect poorly on you and your company and may even lead to legal liabilities, making this selection process all the more important.
When researching and interviewing suppliers, the number one factor to consider is the company's reputation and history within the industry. Suppliers should be able to furnish information on other clients and companies that they work with, allowing you to speak with those purchasers directly. Talking with previous and current clients is one of the best ways to get a feel for a wholesaler and determine whether they are capable of meeting your company's specific needs.
As you conduct these interviews, focus specifically on what your company will require. If you are a low-volume purchaser, then be sure to look for a history with similar purchasers. It may seem as if a supplier that primarily deals with high-volume customers should have no trouble with smaller orders, but this isn't always the case. Being a small fish in a big pond can mean that your needs will not take priority, which is why it is important to confirm the reliability of your supplier with other purchasers who have similar needs. Likewise, a supplier that primarily works with low-volume purchasers may have difficulty meeting your needs if you require large amounts of product.
Always Perform Initial and Ongoing Quality Checks
Even after you have done your due diligence and signed a contract with a supplier, it is important to perform regular quality assurance. The first shipment of wheatgrass that you receive should be thoroughly inspected, and you should confirm that the product that you receive is as described. Quality should be checked using qualitative methods, including lab analysis of the product that you receive. Even if your initial quality assurance checks are successful, be sure to perform regular analysis of your shipments to confirm that nothing has changed in your supply chain.
While selecting an ingredient supplier can be a complex process, it is worth it to guarantee that your customers receive the best product possible. Companies operating within the health food industry rely on having a solid reputation for quality, and taking the appropriate steps to choose a wholesaler will pay off in the long run. You can visit sites like Kansaswheatgrass.com to learn more about suppliers in your area.