• Return Calls Within 24 Hours
• Present New Items in a Professional Manner
• Process Purchase Orders Same Day of Receiving
• Check Purchase Orders For Pricing, Promos, Etc. and Revise as Needed
• Confirm All Purchase Orders With Vendor and Customers
• Insure Speedy New Item Placement/Distribution
• Attend New Store Sets/Re-Sets
• Report Competitive Activity/Store Surveys
• Effective Merchandising Assistance at Retail Level
• Work With Space Management Departments For Plan-o-gram Purposes
• Research and Resolve Unauthorized Deductions
• Attend Trade Shows
• Headquarter Presentations
• Coordinate Sales Meetings

What do you get when you take two men roughly the same age and background who share the same work ethics, philosophies and dedication. Then add a collection of some of the most unique food and nonfood items propelling growth in the supermarket today and the talents of a support team of talented men and women?
The birth of Seidman Hudon Food Brokerage.

By the mid 1990’s, both Gary and Ed were in South Florida in the brokerage business. In 1998, a chance meeting over 3,000 miles away from Florida brought them together. They were both at a routine trade show(National Food Brokers Association) in Palm Springs CA when, in of all places, a casino, they literally bumped in to each other.

They exchanged pleasantries, complimented each other on their positive reputations and decided to meet back in Florida.

Gary had the principals but not a lot of time and Eddie was a little short on principals but was long on time and determination to make a go of it in the brokerage business. Joining forces seemed like a good idea.

At first, they got together to work on a special project. But by the middle of 1998, they knew they had many of the ingredients for a successful partnership. With this in mind, they formally merged their companies in November 1998, under the Seidman Hudon Food Brokerage banner. Their area of expertise would be what both men knew best – the specialty foods category with an emphasis on kosher items.

In a very short time span, the company has gone from a South Florida food brokerage to a regional food brokerage serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas and parts of Tennessee.

SHFB believes in working closely with all parties involved in the selling process – principals - distributors - store level mangers - retailers and - merchandisers. We act as a liaison to bring awareness of strengths and awareness of areas in need of improvement. As Gary says…”the importance of our role as brokers (is) bringing the buyer and seller together to complete everyone’s goal making the sale”.

This belief is also reflected on a more intimate level, within their personnel organization. They truly act on the concept of togetherness and have outstanding holiday parties and impromptu luncheons. Gary takes great pride in telling you: “The real strength [of our company] is in our people. We have great people! Nobody in our field can match the experience levels and capabilities of our team”.

While most all products sold by Seidman Hudon might best be described as shelf staple “specialty foods”, they are not all Gourmet Items. The company represents a number of ethnic lines – Mexican foods, Indian, Asian, Thai, Italian and Kosher Food: nonfood items such as charcoal, floor cleaners and laundry stain remover and Frozen Foods. With an ever-changing variety of principals, SHFB maintains continued and close contact with the following:

Customers/Distributors:

Agri Processors
Associated Grocers
Cheney Bros
Dismex Ingles
Gordon Food Service
Gourmet Products Lowes
Great American Smoked Fish
Import Mex Whole
International Cruise Lines
Jetro Cash & Carry
Kehe/Tree of Life
Merchants Export
Monel
Prime Line
Sysco
U.S. Foodservice

Retailers:

Albertson’s
Bilo/Bruno
Doris Markets
Ingles
Kash n Karry/Sweet Bay
Publix
Whole Foods Markets
Winn Dixie

Good fortune doesn’t just happen. Gary and Ed have worked long and hard assembling their team of food sales professionals. Their hard work is now paying off, although in the midst of this excitement came incredible sadness.

Gary lost his Dad, Eli on August 22, 2005. Eli was a tremendous part of SHFB because he helped them develop contacts and understand the “tweakings” within the kosher industry. It goes without saying, that the amount of influence and connection Eli had with Gary was definitely a key role in his sons’ success. But what people did not realize perhaps, was the connection Eli had with our staff. All through his 2 years of leukemia, Eli worked with Steve Biase and Cindy Foote, transferring his knowledge "from the master to the students”. Here, in the present we can look fondly at the past yet we are wise enough to also look towards the future. It is exciting, as Ed states, “As we build the business, we are reinvesting back into the business by adding people and expanding facilities,” furthermore “We’ve been very fortunate,” Ed adds. “We think we have built something very special here.”

“Our principals and our customers have come to rely on us. When you want something, it gets done.” Gary says. “Our manufacturers know that no matter how large or small they are, they [their products] are going to get the attention and service they require. We want them to feel they are important,” Gary emphasizes.