Buying produce directly from the shipper

Man, I am with you. I drove for 6 years on my last job, doing the same thing you are. Delivering groceries. Some of the stores I have delivered to, do purchase from local farmers. But, mostly if the farmer delivers to the store.
They get better quality produce, and decent prices. Most produce that crosses a grocery warehouse is trucked in from who knows where. And, all of the delivery fees add up to a high retail price at the store.
But, as with most businesses, it isn't usually cost effective to hire somebody to drive a vehicle that is either owned or leased by the store, and provide benefits to the driver. It is easier to just call a supplier and say send me this, this, this, and that.
Plus, they won't have to worry about an accident and being sued, if their driver is involved.

 

Actually, alot of them do this---sort of; i used to work for one. And i've dabled in the grocery business (as a driver of course).

They usually get an aquaintance/friend that is into trucking. Alot of them (the aquaintances/friends) can get a used or even new equipment no problem.

They don't have to pay benefits etc. because they do tend to pay the "driver guy" pretty good as they cut out the middleman etc. Their treating this friend/relative/aquaintance as basically a separate business that basically only caters to them.

Not really and employee but sort of like an employee.

 

Grocery warehouses are just a "Middleman". They also have to figure their cost and profit.
If you want to do this yourself. Go right to the source. Find a Broker that will direct you to a farm. But you go through the broker. Farms don't deal with the public. Unless it's a small farm you may buy direct wholesale. That's the best way to go.

Many years ago , we use to buy our own trailer loads of Watermelons from a farm through a Produce broker.. The more you buy, the less you pay. We were paying less than a dollar per watermelon. But you have to also figure in your added cost for fuel and expenses to resell the product.

After you figure out your cost and profit, then you can go around to these small convience stores and become a distributor for them. Most of them are happy to have a distributor. I know, I've done it myself and Loved it!
But everytime,,, the profits were to buy more products. Many times the stores would ask if you can get this product for them.

 

Contract perhaps.

We will buy this much or all of it, if you only sell your product to us. If you sell your produce to others without our knowledge, we will not buy from you.

Something like that maybe, just guessing.....