PURCHASING
Purchasing plays a crucial role as the quality and cost of materials acquired significantly
influence the quality and price of the final product.
Efficient purchasing focuses on ensuring a sufficient supply of food with the appropriate quality,
quantity, and price. Achieving this requires buying food at the optimal time and from reliable
sources.
Tips in Purchasing
1. When purchasing skim milk or non-fat dry milk, ensure it is fortified with vitamins A and D, as
these nutrients are lost during the fat removal process. Similarly, margarine should also be
enriched with vitamins A and D.
2. Choose fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned options. The canning
process, which involves high temperatures, destroys many water-soluble vitamins like
B-vitamins and vitamin C. Consequently, canned foods often retain only half or less of their
original vitamin content, with further losses occurring during storage.
3. Buy fresh produce, and whenever you can, choose fruits and vegetables that ripened on the
vine.
4. For the best vitamin A content, pick vibrant orange carrots, rich orange sweet potatoes, and
dark leafy lettuce.
Steps in Purchasing
1. Identify the items or products to be purchased, clearly outlining their required quality and
quantity.
2. Understand the market conditions for these products, including supply, demand, availability,
and related details.
3. Reach out to potential suppliers or visit possible sources to assess the products they offer
and their pricing.
4. Compare the available options from various suppliers to ensure they meet your
specifications.
5. Assess the suppliers’ offerings in terms of quality, pricing, delivery terms, payment methods,
and other relevant factors.
6. Select the most suitable supplier or vendor.
Tips for a Purchaser/Marketer
1. Identify what to purchase and where to find high-quality food.
2. Set a budget in advance based on what you can afford.
3. Prepare a flexible shopping list.
4. Be courteous when inquiring about or purchasing items.
5. Refrain from making unnecessary comments if the price doesn't meet your expectations.
How to Buy Fruits
1. Buy fruits when they’re in season.
2. Pick citrus fruits that feel heavy for their size.
3. Choose fruits that are firm, evenly colored, and free of decay.
4. Go for fruits that are just ripe, as they’re more nutritious—overripe ones have less value.
How to Buy Vegetables
1. Choose vegetables that show no signs of decay.
2. Tomatoes and eggplants should be firm and free of scars and spots.
3. Look for cabbage that is firm and heavy.
4. Steer clear of vegetables that are cut, diced, or peeled.
How to Buy Eggs
1. A fresh egg will sink when placed in a bowl of water.
2. It has a bumpy shell.
3. It feels heavy.
How to Buy Chicken
1. Young chickens have smooth legs.
2. Be aware of which chicken parts you need for your cooking.
3. There should be some fat underneath the skin.
4. The meat should have a yellowish-pink color.
