Tips to choose a wholesale bread supplier for your cafe

What’s the one thing that your customers love about your cafe? Is it the ambiance, the mood, the lightning, the soft soothing music, cleanliness, or excellent seating arrangements? It must be all that, of course, besides the invigorating beverages on offer. But there’s one thing no cafe can do without – bread.

Without this basic food item, every menu is incomplete. It is essential for almost every food item which you can find in cafes, including the most famous of them all: sandwiches. One of the best ways to ensure that you never run out of it is to contact a wholesale bread supplier. Not only will they ensure that you have a steady supply at all times, but you will have the option to choose from different kinds of bread. The question is – how do you find a trustworthy bread supplier for your cafe? What are the things you should consider while doing so? This article will tell you.

Types of bread available

This one is a no-brainer. The first that you should look for is the types of bread available Your customers are going to want different types of bread. You don’t want to stand there with a sheepish smile on your face, apologising for the lack of options. Everyday loaves, sourdough, Italian continental, lunch roll, gluten free (very important, since a lot of people are allergic to gluten ) – ensure they have as many varieties as you can think of.

Are there enough varieties?

This one deserves a separate mention. Let us say you’re convinced the supplier bakes various kinds of breads. That’s great! But, what about the varieties? Here’s an example to help you understand. If you’ve decided to get Turkish Bread for your cafe, ask if they have varieties such as Turkish Loaves, Bagged Bread, and Schiacciata. Each of these serves a particular purpose and is meant to accompany a particular meal. Most customers would want a sandwich for breakfast. A Turkish Loaf as the base, along with poached eggs, avocados and chilli flakes, will be the perfect start to their day, and therefore, yours.

Do they provide fresh product

You want bread that is fresh and has been recently baked in the oven. It should taste sweet (or taste how a particular bread is supposed to). One way to ensure that you receive fresh products is to choose a supplier that works on a made to order basis. That means, they start preparing the bread making process only after you’ve placed an order, rather than providing you with bread that’s been prepared beforehand. The supplier should also be ready to take your orders and deliver them within the specified time. Your customers aren’t going to wait for long, and neither should you.

Can they provide samples?

Ask for samples before you place an order. Instead of asking for samples from one two types of bread, ask for samples from various ones. Only after you have tasted some of their bread can you get an idea of their taste, quality and freshness. For example, if you’re tasting sourdough, it should have a crispiness in its crust and a slightly sour flavour. Of course, it goes without saying that as a cafe owner, you will know your bread. In any case, choose only those suppliers that give you the option of sampling and are transparent about the entire process.

Do they adhere to quality standards?

The question is: how do you know you’re getting the best product in terms of quality? Is there a way to assess that? Well, yes there is. Go with a bakery that conforms to safety standards such as the HACCP. This will ensure you’re getting safe and fresh bread that you can use without any worries.

Buying wholesale bread for your cafe is serious business, and you ought to approach it as such. Your customers are your asset, and the kind of bread you serve should be the best ones they can find anywhere. Every time they talk about bread, it’s your cafe they should be reminded of.