Guide to Sourcing Wholesale Mediterranean Food Products

Sourcing Wholesale Mediterranean Foods for Restaurants and Bulk Buyers

From olive oils and feta cheeses to artisan breads and heirloom legumes, wholesale Mediterranean foods offer great ingredients for food businesses. Buying Mediterranean products in bulk provides volume discounts while ensuring supply chain reliability.

Benefits of Purchasing Wholesale Mediterranean Foods

Here are some advantages of sourcing Mediterranean ingredients on a wholesale, commercial basis:

• Lower per unit product costs by purchasing bulk sizes and volumes
• Maintain stock on authentic Mediterranean ingredients needed for recipes
• Establish relationships with dedicated suppliers and distributors
• Reduce freight expenses through pooled shipping
• Save on labor with less frequent purchasing and receiving

Using commercial foodservice channels allows access to more variety and better availability for businesses regularly incorporating Mediterranean elements into menus.

Most Popular Wholesale Mediterranean Food Products

When buying Mediterranean foods in bulk, businesses tend to order highest volumes of staple ingredients like:

Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil may be the most iconic Mediterranean ingredient. Wholesalers provide olive oil in tin containers ranging from 1 gallon up to 55 gallons. Restaurants use it for dressing salads, dipping breads, finishing dishes, and more.

Olives

Briny, nutty green and black Mediterranean olives star heavily in appetizers, small plates, pizzas and salads. Pitted or non-pitted canned olives, olive paste, and flavored olive mixes are top purchases.

Cheeses

Feta, halloumi, manchego, and Italian mozzarella are soft and hard cheeses heavily used in Mediterranean cooking. Cheeses are bought in bulk blocks, slices, shreds, or crumbles from whey manufacturers.

Yogurts

Greek-style yogurts including strained labneh, yogurt cheese, and tzatziki are Mediterranean diet staples. Large volume plain or flavored yogurts stay fresh for extended periods.

Other Mediterranean Products Bought in Bulk

In addition to the highest volume items above, food businesses also regularly purchase:

Tomato Products

Crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, and harissa sauce provide vibrant flavor. Gallon cans or aseptic boxes allow long holds.

Vegetables

Eggplant, peppers, zucchini, squash, artichokes, and roasted vegetables for sides and recipes. Fresh, frozen, marinated, or dried options provide flexibility.

Legumes and Grains

Beans like chickpeas and lentils along with farro, barley, wheat berry, and rice anchor many Mediterranean bowls and veggie sides.

Nuts and Seeds

Pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, almonds, and tahini sesame seed butter provide healthy fats and textural contrasts.

Herbs, Spices, and Condiments

Rosemary, basil, sumac, cumin, harissa, preserved lemons, capers, and authentic seasonings create distinctive flavor.

How to Source Reputable Suppliers of Mediterranean Wholesale Foods

Sourcing all your Mediterranean food ingredients from one specialty distributor simplifies purchasing and ensures item standards are met. Look for distributors offering:

• Product line depth with hundreds of Mediterranean offerings
• Established, direct grower, importer and manufacturer partnerships
• Consistent item availability and only rigorously vetted products
• Short lead times and flexible delivery options
• Value-added services like product sample reviews

Key Industry Mediterranean Food Distributors

Leading distributors include:

• Ziyad Brothers Importing
• Arista Industries
• Atalanta Corporation
• Sid Wainer & Son
• Alessi Foods

Established players have extensive Mediterranean offerings, storage and shipping capabilities, industry trust, and quality reputations.

Pricing Considerations for Wholesale Mediterranean Products

Pricing nuances to factor in when sourcing different Mediterranean ingredients wholesale include:

Item Forms - Whole, Prepared, Frozen, Dried

Whole vegetable, cheese, grain, and legume pricing shifts depending on additional prep labor, processing, and shelf life considerations of prepared consumer product versions.

Brand and Quality Grades

As with olive oils, yogurts, and ingredient grades, first cold press extra virgin olive oils command higher pricing than lower acidity, later press oils. Shipping for imported, fully traceable brands also nets out higher than co-packed items.

Order Volumes and Loyalty Discounts

Higher volume purchases may qualify buyers for graded pricing discounts. Distributor loyalty programs can also reward frequent purchasing through rebates.

Current Agricultural Markets

Commodities like oils, grains, legumes, and dairy products shift in price based on globalagricultural outputs, which fluctuates.

Sample Wholesale Price Ranges for Key Mediterranean Bulk Products

While pricing constantly changes, here are typical per unit or per pound costs of popular Mediterranean ingredients bought through foodservice channels:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$13-$16 per gallon tin

Kalamata Olives

$4.50-$5.50 per #10 can

Feta Cheese

$2.65-$3.10 per pound block

Chickpeas

$1.07-$1.25 per pound dried

Harissa Sauce

$5.50-$6.75 per quart jar

Products directly imported from smaller Mediterranean farms may retail on the higher end given labor inputs and costs associated with growing, harvest and export.

Incorporating Mediterranean Ingredients Into Menus and Recipes

The savory, bright ingredients available from Mediterranean wholesale food suppliers lend well to current lifestyle meal preferences. They create craveable, clean-label menu items like:

• Power bowls and grain salads
• Hummus plates with fresh vegetables and pita points
• Shakshuka baked eggs in rich tomato sauce
• Grilled lamb or chicken with tzatziki sauce
• Olive oil poached fish dishes
• Vegetable flatbreads with Mediterranean cheeses

Exploring the diverse flavors from across this region keeps customers coming back while supporting localized food traditions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.