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Course Description

Food-buying professionals need the knowledge and skills to be leaders in the fast-growing specialty food industry. Specialty foods are at the cutting edge of innovation, product quality, and distinction. Buyers must have a keen understanding and appreciation for all aspects of the food system: 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 play a vital role in assuring that specialty foods find their way into the marketplace. Buyers use a toolbox of 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 ends up on the shelf.

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

Through self-guided coursework and completion of practical long-form exercises, knowledge checks, and tests, you will gain the knowledge and skills required to be a well-informed and successful buyer of specialty foods.

Please note that enrollments for this program have been paused. This program will be retiring and no longer supported through this site. For more information, please contact Gretchen VanEsselstyn with the Specialty Food Association, gvanesselstyn@specialtyfood.com.

Faculty Author

Robert Gravani, Ph.D., CFS

Andrew Tausz

Michele Lefebvre, RCN, CDN

Julie Stafford, Ph.D.

Benefits to the Learner

  • Become acquainted with the principles and best practices for purchasing and merchandising specialty foods
  • Learn about industry trends, vendor relations, and product-sourcing strategies
  • Understand the importance and premiere value that specialty foods bring to the marketplace
  • Acquire the training necessary as a specialty food buyer to help your distributor community accomplish their business objectives

Target Audience

  • 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
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Cornell University and Specialty Food Association
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