Professional Food Buyer

• Specialty Food Association members
• Food product buyers and purchasers
• Food distributors
• Natural and specialty food stores
• Food entrepreneurs and business owners
• Food suppliers, importers, and brokers
• Chefs, restaurateurs, and food service buyers
• Current and aspiring food-industry professionals

• Professional Food Buyer Certificate from Cornell University and the Specialty Food Association

Food-buying professionals hold a vital role in the specialty food industry, with the knowledge and skills to act as business leaders and influence our food systems. Specialty foods are at the cutting edge of innovation, product quality, and distinction. A keen understanding and appreciation for all aspects of the business is what makes a great food buyer. Their responsibilities include sourcing new products and ingredients in the supply chain, developing strategic partnerships with suppliers and distributors, and successfully merchandising foods to meet the expectations of today’s consumers.

Buyers ensure that specialty foods find their way into the marketplace. They use their leadership skills to discover new products, evaluate desirability, confirm financial viability, source sustainably, and manage inventory and merchandising to assure customer satisfaction with the product mix that fills the shelves.

This program will enable buyers to better understand and appreciate the key principles and best practices associated with supply chain management, strategic partnerships, strategic sourcing, and product success in the food industry.

Through self-guided coursework and completion of practical long-form exercises, knowledge checks, and detailed testing, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to be a well-informed and successful buyer of specialty foods. Once the program is completed, you will earn an exclusive professional certificate from Cornell University and the Specialty Food Association.

For more information on future versions of this course, please contact Specialty Food Association at education@specialtyfood.com