Although Maryland is primarily associated with seafood, the state also has a well-developed meat sector. The Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area is among the largest in the country. It’s home to multiple restaurant businesses and most hospitality groups have a presence in the area to offer accommodations to the multiple visitors that come to the area annually. That being said, it’s not surprising that there are multiple distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore that also offer their products to businesses in Washington and other nearby communities. In this post, we’ll shed some light on the meat industry in Baltimore. If you run a business in the restaurant industry, below you can find a list of some of the top distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore.
Key takeaway: From wholesale deli meats to high-end beef cuts, distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore aim to offer a wide variety of products. Some suppliers also offer seafood and dairy products.
The Meat Sector in Maryland
As meat is among the most popular food categories worldwide, it’s not surprising that there are multiple companies in the meat industry that are based in Maryland. Local meat processing plants distribute their products to grocery stores and restaurants within the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area and other communities. Maryland is no different from other states in the US when it comes to the most popular types of meat. Poultry, beef, and pork are among the common types bought by households and used by restaurants and other companies. Some businesses prefer to purchase wholesale meat from local farms. Others partner with farms and meat distribution companies from other states. Maryland also has a well-developed chicken farming sector.
Meat Trends in Maryland
- Sustainability. Multiple farms, meat processing companies, and suppliers of wholesale meat in Baltimore aim to become more sustainable. In recent years, a growing number of consumers have picked the brands they purchase from based on their sustainability efforts.
- Organic and eco products. There are multiple benefits to eating organic meat from local origin. That’s why organic and bio meat products increase their market share. This trend can be seen not only in Maryland but also in other parts of the US and other developed countries.
- Convenience. Life in the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area is fast-paced. That’s why many customers value convenience before anything else. This means that pre-packed lunch options and ready-to-eat products are likely to become more popular. Multiple businesses have benefited from these trends by using different types of deli meat for sandwiches or other convenient lunch meals.
- Vegan alternatives. Products like tofu or vegan meat alternatives made from beans and lentils have grown in popularity. Furthermore, there has been significant progress in the field of cultured meat in the past decade. However, lab-grown meat products are still hard to find and considered a controversial topic.
Distributors of Wholesale Meat in Baltimore
There are multiple suppliers of wholesale meat in Baltimore and the metropolitan area. In addition, most large broadline food distributors also offer the most popular meat products such as poultry, beef cuts, pork, and cold cuts. Let’s examine some of the well-known distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore.
Fells Point Wholesale Meats
The company was founded in 1993 and has become one of the most reliable options for businesses that search for suppliers of wholesale meat in Baltimore. That’s thanks to their high-quality USDA meat products and their professional services. Fells Point Wholesale Meats offers common products like beef, poultry, and pork. They also sell game meat and high-end deli cold cuts.
Known for: One of the most popular distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore thanks to their wide selection of products and their commitment to serve their customers exceptionally.
C & C Meat Sales
The company was established in 1970 and has become one of the leading distributors of wholesale meat in Baltimore and the whole Mid-Atlantic region. They focus on wholesale sales of the most popular meat products like beef, poultry, lamb, and pork. However, C & C Meat Sales can also offer products in other categories such as cooking oils, cheese, seafood, and imported meats. The company serves Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey.
Known for: The wide range of meat products offered and the impeccable customer service.
Wagner’s Meats & Mt. Airy Meat Locker
The company focuses on both wholesale and retail sales in the meat niche market. Established in 1953, the company has been among the well-known butcher shops in the area. Although their primary location is in Mount Airy, Maryland, they also partner with businesses from other parts of the state that wish to find suppliers of quality meat cuts.
Known for: Being a family-owned and operated wholesale and retail meat processing company that aims to offer a combination of high quality and affordable prices.
MeatCrafters
From popular products like poultry and beef to game meat and imported salamis, the company focuses on high-end and crafted meat products. The company works with business owners and retail customers that make no compromise on quality. MeatCrafters serves the Washington–Baltimore area and other nearby communities.
Known for: Their handmade offerings and the high quality of their meat products.
Frequently Asked Questions about Wholesale Meat in Baltimore
Whether you wish to read more about the global meat market or you’re interested in how to start a meat business, you can find tons of useful content on our website. Below are the answers to commonly asked questions regarding wholesale meat distributors in Baltimore.
What Are the Popular Types of Meat in Baltimore?
As one of the US coastal states, Maryland is primarily known for its seafood. One of the most popular types of meat in Baltimore is stone crab meat. The Maryland cuisine is influenced by both New England and Southern cuisines. As in the rest of the US, chicken, beef, pork, and turkey meat are among the most popular options in Baltimore. Migration to Maryland has also influenced the local cuisine through the years.
How to Choose a Distributor of Wholesale Meat in Baltimore?
Restaurant managers need to consider multiple factors when picking a supplier of wholesale meat in Baltimore. Probably the most important one is the variety of products offered. Businesses prefer to partner with wholesalers who can offer various types of meat, cold cuts, and fresh seafood. Naturally, wholesale prices are another factor to be considered. Suppliers of wholesale meat in Baltimore need to offer their products at competitive prices. Additional factors include flexibility, MOQ (minimum order quantity), and reliable deliveries. Some companies opt to work with broadline food distributors instead of specialized meat wholesalers.
Broadline Food Distributor or Specialized Meat Supplier?
There are pros and cons to choosing a distributor of wholesale meat in Baltimore in comparison with choosing a broadline food supplier. Let’s examine some of them.
- Meat distributors might offer better customer service;
- Meat wholesalers offer better flexibility in terms of minimum order quantities;
- Working with specialized meat suppliers helps the local economy and community.
Here are a few reasons to pick a broadline supplier.
- They offer a variety of products in different categories;
- They might have better quality control procedures which are paramount for perishable goods such as meat;
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