If your restaurant serves fresh produce or dishes that are prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables, you probably want to ensure the best possible quality for your customers. Luckily, following these tips when buying produce for your dining establishment will help provide you with the best results.

1. Buy Locally

There are so many reasons to purchase local produce for your restaurant. First of all, as a business owner, you probably understand how important it is to support other business owners in your community. Plus, your customers are sure to appreciate it, too. You can also help ensure that the produce is as fresh as possible, since it will be brought in from a local source rather than shipped long distances. As an added bonus, you can make a purchase of additional produce as-needed without having to wait for long delivery times -- instead, you can pick them up or have them dropped off by a local producer. You may also be able to strike up better bulk pricing if you sit down with a local producer and talk about your restaurant's needs.

2. Keep Your Produce Stored Properly

Educate yourself on the proper storage of the produce that you purchase for your restaurant; for example, potatoes and onions should be stored in a cool, dry place, while fresh fruits are generally best kept in the refrigerator. Make sure that your commercial refrigeration system is kept in good shape to keep your fruits and veggies nice and cold without them potentially partially freezing; this is best done by having your refrigeration system checked by a pro on a regular basis.

3. Order the Right Amount

One common mistake that restaurant owners make is purchasing too much produce at once. Even though getting bulk pricing can be a good deal, it won't be a good deal at all if you end up having to throw away a bunch of produce or if you are turning off customers by serving less-than-prime produce at your restaurant. Instead, keep a careful tally of how much produce is being used within your business, and try to order the right amount so that you are using all of your produce in time without running out or allowing the produce to turn bad.

Ordering produce for your restaurant isn't as easy as it might seem. If you follow these three tips, however, you can help ensure that you buy and serve high-quality, delicious fresh fruits and vegetables for all of your customers.