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4 ways to get your suppliers working toward food safety

These four actions will greatly enhance your efforts to boost food safety with your suppliers.

July 6, 2016 by Katy Jones — VP of Marketing, FoodLogiQ

When you're on a mission to improve food safety and quality, it's important to ensure that every member of your team is on board, including all internal people, as well as your suppliers. After all, your suppliers' role is essential to your mission. 

But how can you make sure everyone is on the same page? In order to streamline your process and foster cooperation, start with a well-devised plan and clearly communicate your mission to your suppliers.

Here are four actions you can take to ensure your food suppliers are supporting the overall safety and quality of the food you serve.

1. Research your options in food suppliers
Before working with any supplier, make sure you research their history and processes. This includes obtaining references from other retailers and companies that have worked with a supplier. This kind of background information can give you an early indication of whether the supplier in question is a good fit. This step is critical in helping you circumnavigate future problems by identifying food suppliers with a history of reliable service who are willing to adapt to your processes.

2. Communicate openly 
Though this may sound like an over-simplification, it's critical that you use open and transparent communication in all your business relationships in the food industry. After all, you can't offer consumers the information they want about your product and processes if your supplier is keeping you in the dark. And you can't expect a supplier to fulfill your needs if you aren't open about your expectations. Keep your suppliers in the loop on your current and future plans. This not only solidifies your relationship, but helps set a precedent for future goals.

3. Onboard suppliers thoroughly 
Once you begin working with a food supplier, take the time to thoroughly bring them into focus with your plans and processes. In fact, chains which have a good onboarding system in place are better able to avoid growing pains and develop food suppliers into trusted partners. For example, if you use specific food industry technology, be sure your suppliers are aware of this and adequately trained to use your solution to avoid rough patches in communication and delivery of services. 

4. Use food safety and traceability software
By using food traceability software, you can take the guesswork out of supply chain safety. The right software can also make this process easier on your food suppliers by keeping the information everyone needs right at their fingertips. With the help of food traceability software, you can simplify communication and streamline any problems down the line.

By using these four tips, you can establish a relationship with your food supplier that aligns with your core goals to achieve your mission of the best level of food safety possible across your supply chain.