<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (February 2010) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> Foodservice (US English) or catering industry (British English) defines those businesses, institutions, and companies responsible for any meal prepared outside the home . This industry includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats . </P> <P> The companies that supply foodservice operators are called foodservice distributors . Foodservice distributors sell goods like small wares (kitchen utensils) and foods . Some companies manufacture products in both consumer and foodservice versions . The consumer version usually comes in individual - sized packages with elaborate label design for retail sale . The foodservice version is packaged in a much larger industrial size and often lacks the colorful label designs of the consumer version . </P>

What is the origin of food service industry