Ben E. Keith Mid-South Helps Connect the Dots Food Distributer Supports Local Producers h Have you ever wondered exactly how the food on your plate gets from the farm to the restaurant? Many producers sell directly to restaurants, institutions, and businesses but some sell directly to a food distributor like Ben E. Keith, a leader in fine food and premium beverage distribution for more than a century. Ben E. Keith was founded in 1906 and offers a food division that serves as a complete broadline distributor for restaurants and other food service institutions across fourteen states – and the Mid-South headquarters happens to be in the heart of Arkansas. Ben E. Keith and other food distributors work to connect the dots all the way across the agricultural supply chain, serving as the middle man between their customers and food producers. “By knowing the producers and their products, and our customers’ needs, we are able to provide that necessary connection and get the best product where it’s needed,” said Brad May, produce and dairy category manager. Although Ben E. Keith generates over $3 billion in sales every year, they never lose focus on the importance of providing the products their customers want. “Our customers want to know where their food is being sourced from, and especially recently, we are seeing that customers want it sourced locally,” said May. “We serve all types of food service businesses, from cafes to country clubs to larger institutions; we see the need and want for local.” “There’s efficiency in buying Arkansas products.” The location of Ben E. Keith MidSouth’s headquarters in Arkansas is an advantage for sourcing from Arkansas producers. Ten percent of Ben E. Keith Mid-South items are Arkansas Grown or Arkansas Made. The Arkansas Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act was passed in the 2017 legislative session and set a goal for institutions receiving state funding to procure 20 percent of its food purchases locally. Distributors like Ben E. Keith will play a key role in helping institutions track their local purchases to –Brad May ensure compliance with the law. “There’s efficiency in buying Arkansas products,” said May. “We have been pleased with the quality of Arkansas Grown and Arkansas Made products and want to stay on the forefront of the local movement.” ARKANSAS GROWN 27
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