Field food broker visiting shops and buyers
Drive a regular route to delis, farm shops and wholesalers, selling producers' ranges face to face.
- £500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
3,565 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46170 “Agents involved in the sale of food, beverages and tobacco”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A hands-on version of food broking where you visit independent retailers, cafes and wholesalers in person with samples and price lists, representing several producers at once.
Your first three steps
- Choose a region and map out the independent shops, delis and wholesalers within a day's drive
- Sign up two or three non-competing producers and put together a sample box and simple price list
- Book a first week of visits grouped by area, then follow up each one within days
Who pays
Producers pay you commission on orders you win. Some may also pay a small retainer or contribution to costs.
How it makes money
Commission on orders, often higher in total because in-person visits win more listings. A portfolio of several producers spreads the risk.
Skills that help
- Face-to-face selling
- Route planning and time management
- Product knowledge and tasting ability
- Comfortable driving regularly
Watch out for
- Check your car insurance covers business use and carrying samples
- Keep chilled samples at safe temperatures and check food hygiene basics with your local council
- Consider public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- Fuel, samples and time on the road can eat into commission, so track costs
- Agree exclusivity and territory clearly with each producer in writing
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: field food broker visiting shops and buyers
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start as a field food broker?
Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on your samples, vehicle needs and equipment. These are estimates. Fuel, samples and time on the road can eat into commission, so track costs.
What rules should a field food broker check?
Check your car insurance covers business use and carrying samples. Keep chilled samples at safe temperatures and check food hygiene basics with your local council. Consider public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and agree territory and exclusivity in writing.
How much can a field food broker earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on the producers you represent and the orders you win. Producers pay commission on orders, and some may add a small retainer.
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