Every foodservice distributor representative should be selling their value and strengths.  It's easy to get caught up in assuming that the supplier can meet all your needs.  It's important to get into specifics with your supplier on what exact products they can fulfill to insure that if a alternate or additional suppliers are required you have time to get them setup.

Have each supplier give you a line item listing of their products specific to your supplied inventory listing or menu.

If you are not familiar with a product or brand you should be able to get a sample or have additional information obtained about the items suitability for your foodservice application.