Fresh produce delivery route for restaurants and grocers

Independent restaurants, cafés, caterers, small grocers, fruit stands and ethnic food stores that want fresh produce delivered without making their own market runs.

You earn the margin between your buying price and your selling price, case by case. Margins are thin, so volume, low waste and a tight delivery route matter. Some customers will also pay a small delivery fee.

• Knowing produce quality and how to store it
• Negotiating prices with suppliers and customers
• Early starts and reliable driving
• Basic bookkeeping and invoicing

• Check whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence from the CFIA, especially if you import or sell across provincial borders
• Check whether you need to join the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation, which many produce traders use for payment disputes
• Check your provincial and local public health rules for food handling, storage space and vehicles (Quebec has its own MAPAQ permits)
• Produce spoils fast, so unsold stock can wipe out your margin
• Customers paying late can strain cash flow when you pay suppliers quickly
• Commercial vehicle insurance and commercial general liability insurance

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your van, refrigeration or insulation, and how much stock you buy at the start. Starting with a small route lets you add customers over time.

Check whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence from the CFIA, especially if you import or sell across provincial borders. Also check whether to join the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation, and your provincial and local public health rules (Quebec has MAPAQ permits).

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many customers you serve and the size of your route. That is revenue, not profit. Spoiled stock and late-paying customers can affect your margins and cash flow.