Which purchasing system involves buying food products in relatively small quantities at a close time to when its needed?

• A. Open market purchasing
• B. Just in time purchasing
• C. Vendor sourcing
• D. Bulk purchasing

Answer: (B)

Just-in-time purchasing is the practice of buying food products in relatively small quantities close to when they’re needed. This approach reduces the amount of inventory kept on hand, cuts storage needs, and helps prevent spoilage, so money isn’t tied up in stock that may not be used right away. It works best when demand is reasonably predictable, suppliers are reliable, and deliveries can be timed precisely to usage, allowing the operation to stay fresh and responsive.

Open market purchasing tends to focus on competitive pricing and may involve larger orders or more frequent supplier changes, not the tight timing with usage. Vendor sourcing is about selecting and managing suppliers in general, not specifically about timing or quantity. Bulk purchasing emphasizes buying large quantities to stock for longer periods, which increases storage requirements and the risk of waste.