Throughout the years, there have been multiple innovations in the food industry. Nowadays, specialty food is as popular as it has ever been. That’s because of multiple factors like the “foodie” culture, the increase in travel, and the various restaurant industry trends that food service businesses use to attract customers. Florida makes no difference from the rest of the United States. That’s why there are multiple specialty food distributors in Florida. Some of them specialize in a specific group of products like chocolate and confectionery. Others are focused on imports of gourmet goods from other countries. Some broadline distributors also aim to be the one-stop shop for restaurants and other businesses. As such, they offer a variety of specialty and gourmet foods. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the specialty food sector and share some of the top specialty food distributors in Florida. If you’re a business owner looking for reliable suppliers, check out our articles on coffee roasters in Miami and the Florida dairy sector.
What Is Specialty Food
There’s no specific definition of specialty foods. That’s why most people associate the term with any food that doesn’t fall under other common categories such as meat, produce, or staple foods. However, some products can be in more than one category. For example, seaweed and roe are sold by both seafood suppliers and specialty food distributors in Florida.
Specialty foods can also be luxurious versions of other products. Meat suppliers offer a variety of beef cuts such as ribeye, porterhouse, or filet mignon. However, very few meat distributors sell high-end Wagyu steaks. That’s why most Michelin-starred restaurants or retailers that offer high-end products also partner with importers or specialty food distributors in Florida that can offer expensive products like Beluga caviar or imported cheeses and meat cuts.
Key takeaway: Some suppliers specialize in gourmet or imported foods while others trade a variety of products, including specialty food. For example, a distributor of wholesale produce in Miami might also offer truffles.
The Specialty Food Sector in Florida
As one of the most populous states in the US, there’s a high demand for specialty food in Florida. There are multiple fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels across the state. Furthermore, as Florida attracts tourists and visitors from different parts of the world, ethnic goods, which are also often considered as part of the specialty food group, are also in high demand.
Popular Specialty Foods in Miami and Florida
The local cuisine is heavily influenced by Cuban and Caribbean influences. In fact, Florida cuisine is often called Floribbean cuisine. In addition, the long coastal line of the state makes seafood extremely popular. Here are a few examples of specialty food products in Florida.
- Stone crab, rock shrimp, grouper, and other seafood;
- High-end meat cuts and deli cold cuts;
- Imported and artisan cheese;
- Craft chocolate and other high-quality sweets;
- Ethnic specialties from Asia, the Mediterranean, and other regions of the world.
Known Specialty Food Distributors in Florida
Businesses in the restaurant industry often work with broadline food suppliers who can offer both common and specialty products. However, some companies prefer to partner with specialty food distributors in Florida that specialize in a certain niche. If you’re looking for a wholesaler of gourmet products, make sure to check not only specialty food distributors but also broadline suppliers who sell a wide variety of wholesale products. Here are some examples of local specialty food distributors in Florida.
Troyer's of South Florida
As a family-owned company, their primary focuses are providing impeccable customer service and offering quality food. From deli meats to various jarred and canned goods, Troyer's of South Florida offers a wide range of specialty and high-demand products.
Known for: Their customer-first approach and their partnership with other producers of high-quality food.
Gourmet Foods International
As its name suggests, the company specializes in the import of gourmet and specialty products. With over a dozen locations across the US and two in Florida alone, they are a reliable partner for restaurant managers, grocery stores, and businesses in the hotel industry that look for gourmet products from all around the world.
Known for: Their network of locations across the country and the wide range of products they offer.
Macar Foods
The company works with grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, resorts, and other businesses across the US. One of their main priorities is to guarantee high quality and freshness of all products. In addition to bulk deliveries to businesses, they also offer private labeling services.
Known for: The variety of Mediterranean products the company offers.
Daddy Gourmet
Although the company is a specialty food distributor in Florida, it also serves businesses in other states and countries across the Caribbean and South America. Established in 1998, Daddy Gourmet delivers goods to multiple resorts, restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses.
Known for: The wide range of products offered and their availability to businesses that wish to find suppliers of specialty and gourmet foods across the US, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Specialty Food Distributors in Florida
From tips on wholesale sales to guides on how to choose sustainable suppliers, there are multiple useful articles on our website. Below you can find the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding specialty food distributors in Florida.
Is Specialty Food the Same as Gourmet Food?
Although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are differences between specialty and gourmet food. Gourmet food is considered to be the highest quality of food that is associated with fine dining, luxury, and high prices. Examples of gourmet food include truffles, caviar, and aged cheeses. On the other hand, specialty food can be products that are sold in small quantities or food for a specific niche market. Examples of specialty foods include ethnic foods, gluten-free products, and organic food.
Both specialty and gourmet food are frequently included in catalogs of other suppliers. For example, seafood distributors in Miami might sell caviar while a wholesale bakery in Miami might specialize in gluten-free products.
How to Choose Between Specialty Food Distributors in Florida?
Restaurant businesses, grocery stores, and other companies that search for gourmet food suppliers put different weight on the various factors related to picking a distributor. Here are the main ones.
- Variety of products;
- Competitiveness of their wholesale prices;
- Software integrations and automation opportunities;
- Flexibility with shipping and other conditions like minimum order quantity;
Some businesses prefer to work with a limited number of suppliers. That’s why they might search for broadline food distributors in Miami who offer all food categories, including gourmet and specialty food.
What Are the Popular Types of Specialty Food in the US?
High-end chocolate, imported dairy products, and gourmet caviar are among the common specialty foods in the US. However, there’s no specific definition of specialty food. Therefore, there are multiple products that can be classified as such. Here are some examples of products commonly sold by specialty food distributors in Florida.
- Plant-based milk and other specialty drinks.
- Rare mushrooms and truffles;
- Olives, kimchi, and various other ethnic specialty products;
- Deli products and high-end cold cuts;
- Specialty cheeses;
BlueCart: A Specialty Solution for Specialty Food Distributors in Florida
From local meat distributors in Miami to broadline suppliers that offer their products nationwide, BlueCart has helped multiple wholesalers increase their B2B sales, find new customers, and ease the ordering process for their clients. Schedule your free demo today, and find out why BlueCart is the right wholesaler software for your business.