Do catering wholesalers deliver to care homes?
Yes. All the major catering wholesalers deliver to care homes. Delivery schedules and minimum order values vary — check before opening an account.
Choosing what to buy from a wholesaler? Our wholesale supplies guide breaks down categories and savings.
More on this in our The Complete Guide to Catering Suppliers for Care Homes — the full care home catering supplier library.
What is the biggest catering wholesaler in the UK?
Bidfood and Brakes are the two largest national catering wholesalers in the UK. Both have extensive coverage, broad product ranges, and dedicated care home account management.
Do catering wholesalers deliver to care homes?
Yes. All the major catering wholesalers deliver to care homes. Delivery schedules and minimum order values vary — check before opening an account.
Choosing what to buy from a wholesaler? Our wholesale supplies guide breaks down categories and savings.
More on this in our The Complete Guide to Catering Suppliers for Care Homes — the full care home catering supplier library.
- Do they have care home or healthcare catering experience?
- What’s their delivery schedule and reliability in your area?
- Can they meet your specific dietary requirements (halal, kosher, vegetarian, IDDSI)?
- Do they provide full allergen and dietary information?
- What payment terms do they offer?
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest catering wholesaler in the UK?
Bidfood and Brakes are the two largest national catering wholesalers in the UK. Both have extensive coverage, broad product ranges, and dedicated care home account management.
Do catering wholesalers deliver to care homes?
Yes. All the major catering wholesalers deliver to care homes. Delivery schedules and minimum order values vary — check before opening an account.
Choosing what to buy from a wholesaler? Our wholesale supplies guide breaks down categories and savings.
More on this in our The Complete Guide to Catering Suppliers for Care Homes — the full care home catering supplier library.
Catering wholesalers supply food, drink, and consumables to commercial kitchens. For care homes, they’re usually the primary source of food and disposables, working alongside equipment suppliers for the kit itself. Here’s a practical guide to catering wholesalers in the UK.
What catering wholesalers supply
Unlike equipment suppliers, catering wholesalers focus on:
- Fresh produce — fruit, vegetables, fresh meat and fish
- Frozen food — meat, vegetables, prepared dishes, desserts
- Ambient goods — tinned food, dried pasta, rice, cooking oils, condiments
- Dairy — milk, cheese, butter, yoghurts
- Bakery — bread, rolls, baked goods (some wholesalers, some delivered separately)
- Disposables — cups, plates, cutlery, cleaning supplies
- Beverages — soft drinks, tea, coffee, juices
Main UK catering wholesalers
- Bidfood — one of the UK’s largest, with strong care home catering offering and dedicated care home account management
- Brakes Group — extensive range, strong social care sector presence, broad geographic coverage
- Nisbets — primarily equipment-focused but expanding into food and provisions
- Regional wholesalers — many regional players serve specific UK regions; often competitive on fresh produce
- Specialist halal, kosher, vegetarian wholesalers — for specific dietary requirements, specialist suppliers often have better ranges than national wholesalers
How to choose a wholesaler
The right wholesaler depends on your menu, your dietary requirements, and your delivery location. Key questions:
- Do they have care home or healthcare catering experience?
- What’s their delivery schedule and reliability in your area?
- Can they meet your specific dietary requirements (halal, kosher, vegetarian, IDDSI)?
- Do they provide full allergen and dietary information?
- What payment terms do they offer?
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest catering wholesaler in the UK?
Bidfood and Brakes are the two largest national catering wholesalers in the UK. Both have extensive coverage, broad product ranges, and dedicated care home account management.
Do catering wholesalers deliver to care homes?
Yes. All the major catering wholesalers deliver to care homes. Delivery schedules and minimum order values vary — check before opening an account.
Choosing what to buy from a wholesaler? Our wholesale supplies guide breaks down categories and savings.
More on this in our The Complete Guide to Catering Suppliers for Care Homes — the full care home catering supplier library.
