Buying locally is the easy decision. Making it dependable through a rainy season, a fuel shortage and a peak headcount is the work that follows.
Vet on capacity, not enthusiasm
A supplier who can serve a hundred covers is not automatically ready for a thousand. Capacity, storage, transport and cash flow are checked before a category is committed.
Trial while the incumbent is still there
New suppliers are proven in parallel with existing ones, on real orders and real deadlines, so the first full dependence is never a first attempt.
- Documented capacity and hygiene assessment
- Parallel trial orders before full transition
- Two approved sources for every critical category
Develop, then hold to standard
Smaller producers often need help with packaging, cold chain and paperwork. Give that help once, then hold the standard consistently. Support and accountability have to arrive together.
