Buying your food from farmers will be very different than getting it from a national distributor. The key to a good relationship is establishing agreed upon terms and also to ensure both parties have the same assumptions.
Terms that need to be agreed upon include:
- method of invoicing and payment
- requested items, in order of importance
- delivery days
- how news shortages and failed crops will be communicated, and how soon the chef needs to know
- how changes in requested items will be communicated, and how soon the grower needs to know
Above all, be sure to talk to your grower about what works best for both of you. Lack of communication and understanding about each other businesses lead to the most strife. Visit the farm if possible to further avoid any issues and to better understand where the food comes from.