Sourcing Network is Local Line's custom marketplace designed to help wholesale buyers, such as restaurants, grocers, and food-forward institutions, find food in their communities
Ready to start selling wholesale?
Expanding your business into the wholesale market can be a game-changer, helping you reach more customers and increase your revenue. But finding the right buyers and streamlining the process can be challenging. That’s where Local Line’s Sourcing Network comes in.
We help connect wholesale food buyers, such as restaurants, grocers, distributors, and institutions, with local suppliers, making it easier for you to showcase your products and secure sales. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get started, set up your account, and optimize your presence for success.
What is Local Line’s Sourcing Network?
The Sourcing Network is Local Line's custom marketplace designed to help wholesale buyers, such as restaurants, grocers, and food-forward institutions, find food in their communities. Opting into the sourcing network will allow these buyers to easily discover your products and contact you for orders or other inquiries.
How to get connected to the Sourcing Network
With an existing Local Line account, getting connected is easy. If you currently do not have a Local Line account, you can create your account here.
Here is how to get your Local Line account set up with the Sourcing Network:
- Head to your Settings and click on the Sourcing Network tab at the top
- Toggle on the Appear in Sourcing Network option. This will make your price list available in our network and visible to potential buyers
- Select a price list for Default Sourcing Network price list. This will determine which products, prices, availability, and packages are available. You may want to select your wholesale price list or create a new dedicated sourcing network price list. If you do not specify a price list here, your store’s current default price list will be use.
- If you would like to hide your pricing and prevent buyers from ordering, you can toggle on the Hide default price list pricing and prevent orders option. This will allow buyers to browse your sourcing network price list, but they will need to request access and be assigned to another price list before they are able to order. You may want to do this if you want to showcase a selection of your products, but need to screen potential buyers to assign them to different pricing categories (e.g. grocery, restaurant, catering, etc)
- Next, you have the option to add a description of your business for wholesale buyers. Consider providing information about where you’re located, what you sell, production methods, and any additional information you think is important
- Lastly, you have the option to upload any certification documents that may be relevant to potential buyers, such as food safety audits, organic certifications, etc
Once you are connected to the sourcing network, you will become discoverable to buyers in the Local Line network. If you have chosen to hide pricing on your price list, you will be notified when a buyer requests access
Tips for Success in the Sourcing Network
To make the most of the Sourcing Network, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Optimize your listings: High-quality pictures and detailed product descriptions will help your products stand out. Buyers are more likely to reach out when they have clear and enticing information about what you offer
- Be transparent about pricing and availability: You can decide if you want to share pricing publicly or require buyers to request it. You can toggle this on or off in Settings > Sourcing Network
- Ensure you’re wholesale-ready: Making the pivot to wholesale can be substantial. Buyers expect bulk purchasing options and consistent availability. Make sure your supply can meet demand. If you need further support getting ready for selling to wholesale buyers, check out our Wholesale Readiness Program
- Stay responsive: You will be notified when a buyer expresses interest. Prompt replies help build relationships and secure sales
- Maintain control over orders: Using the "Orders with this product need approval" product option allows you to review orders for products that may need special handling such as adjusting product weight
- Leverage your brand story: Attract new buyers by sharing more about your business. Share your farm’s history, growing practices, and any certifications to build trust and attract the right customers. These can all be added in your profile under your Sourcing Network settings inside Local Line
Get connected and start selling
The Local Line Sourcing Network is designed to help you grow your wholesale business with ease. By connecting with the right buyers, showcasing your products effectively, and staying engaged with potential customers, you can unlock new sales opportunities and build lasting relationships.
Take the first step today by setting up your profile, optimizing your listings, and making your business stand out. Ready to start?
👉 If you’re an existing Local Line user, log into your account and toggle on your visibility.
👉 If you’re new to Local Line, sign up for your account or chat with our team to see how we can best help you.