In general, as it travels from manufacturers to food service operators, food distributors handle transporting and storing food. Some distributors specialize in certain food products such as fruits and vegetables or seafood. For a specific food manufacturer, some may work. Most food distributors are independent, which makes it easy to create a supply chain for manufacturers and producers by simply hiring a distributor that meets their specific needs.

Typical storage, warehouse interior. Selective focus. For short periods of time, some food distributors use warehouses to store food, and others may use refrigerated trucks only to transport goods directly to food service operators. The transportation timeframe and method depends entirely on the type of food being distributed.