All You Need is a Business License

I originally thought I would use Seaport Meat Company for my food supplier, simply because I saw their box trucks driving around Ocean Beach.  It was my first lead & when I found an inventory list from their website it seemed like they had just about everything I needed.  

Note: I actually used this table/chart later on to create my Grocery List on Microsoft Excel.

When I called Seaport to get a delivery quote, the rep asked me how big of a credit line I needed & other questions I didn't have answers for.

"Where's your business located," one of their sales reps asked.

"Well, I'm doing farmers markets, but I do most of my work from home."

"Sorry, we don't deliver to residential addresses.  You should try Restaurant Depot," he said.  "It's like Costco where you shop for yourself.  All you need is a business license."  I thanked him & hung up the phone.

I had been to a Restaurant Depot before.  I did a walk through during one of farmers market scout trips in spring 2012.  

So, I dug out my San Diego County Business Tax Certificate, which I had yet to use for anything since I purchased it for $52 two months prior, & drove down to their Cesar Chavez Parkway location under the Coronado Bay Bridge.  

A lady at the reception desk checked my paperwork & ID, I signed my name a few times & was printed out my very own plastic Restaurant Depot card.    

It was that easy & I've been going there pretty much once a week for the last eleven & a half years.  

Between there, Smart & Final, & the occasional non-warehouse chain grocery stores (Stumps, Ralphs, Vons, Grocery Outlet), I find everything I need for Mad Munch.  And, Amazon.com too, of course.