Implement

Review Vendor Eligibility

This page includes information on the process of approving and certifying values-based vendors as eligible to sell to your institution.
  • Public & Private
  • FSMC & Self-Operated
Implement: 

Understand Distributor & Aggregator Vendor Eligibility Guidance

Instead of selling directly to institutions or through a food service management company, some values-based vendors choose to work with distributors, aggregators, food hubs, or other supply chain intermediaries. [36] Selling through an intermediary can be advantageous because once approved, a vendor’s products can reach any institution that the intermediary serves, reducing the need to obtain approval from each institution individually.

Some onboarding process details may be publicly available, while others require vendors to contact the intermediary directly. Still, although onboarding processes vary, most intermediaries require: 

  • Submitting an application through their website, intake form, or office contact.
  • Providing documentation of food safety, insurance, and other relevant certifications (often including GAP/GHP).
  • Verifying vendor’s agricultural practices, which may include GAP certification and, in some cases, additional proof of practices such as certified organic or naturally grown.

Transparency is crucial in building a strong relationship. Vendors should clearly communicate goals, including price, volume, growing schedules, values, and delivery expectations. Institutions and intermediaries should also be clear about their expectations. Appointing communication contacts helps maintain open dialogue. Approval timelines differ by intermediary, so vendors should confirm practices and schedules early.

Real World Examples

Sysco

Sysco has a supplier diversity process that aims to make it simple for diverse suppliers to do business with Sysco. Prospective suppliers are encouraged to register with Sysco’s registration portal and must contact local operating sites to engage at the local level. Registering through the portal does not guarantee a vendor any contracts, and prospective suppliers must still go through an approval process. To be a Sysco supplier, Sysco prefers vendors have a third-party diversity certification, and requires that they carry liability insurance, update their certifications records regularly, and have a clear understanding of their product and how it relates to Sysco’s business goals and objectives. On the local level, prospective suppliers must contact local operating sites directly about supplier approval processes.

  • Business
  • FSMC-Operated
  • Private Institution
  • Public Institution
  • Self-Operated
  • Vendors

The Common Market

The Common Market: The Common Market, a food hub that operates in several regions throughout the country, requires its farmers and producers:

  • Be located within a specific radius of each of its regional offices (either 250 miles, 300 miles, or within the same state)
  • Have annual revenues less than $50 million
  • Hold or are working towards Harmonized GAP certification
  • Only use non-GMO seeds, rootstocks, and cultivars
  • Do not use neonicotinoid seed treatments
  • Use sustainable growing methods with a clear depiction of the farm’s practices
  • Maintain safe and fair worker conditions

In addition, partners that sell animal products to the Common Market must:

  • Process products at a USDA inspected and certified facility
  • Not use any growth hormones or sub-therapeutic antibiotics
  • Not use animal feed containing animal by-products
  • Use sustainable growing methods with a clear depiction of the farm’s practices
    **Certified humane and animal welfare certifications are preferred but not required.
  • Business
  • FSMC-Operated
  • Private Institution
  • Public Institution
  • Self-Operated
  • Vendors

Footnotes

[36] Note that throughout this Toolkit, we differentiate between values-based vendors, which include farmers, ranchers, producers, and food hubs. However, this section applies generally to all intermediaries in the supply chain, from broadline distributors to regional distributors to food hubs.