Connecting local food to foodservice businesses: An exploratory qualitative study on wholesale distributors‘ perceived benefits and challenges

Wholesale distributors play a vital role in the foodservice industry. However, despite growing interest in local food systems, little research has considered the motivations and challenges of wholesale distributors in developing and maintaining direct relationships with local farmers. This exploratory study investigates wholesale distributors’ perceptions, motivations, and constraints in buying local food products from local farmers in a study conducted in Vancouver, Canada, and Christchurch, New Zealand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 wholesale distributors. Results indicate that purchasing of local foods was perceived as beneficial by wholesale distributors, but they experienced challenges with purchasing. Based on the findings, strategies are posited for both wholesale distributors and farmers to better serve foodservice organizations.