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That’s a wrap!April 5 and April 26, we held our spring food shows in Kitchener and Sudbury. This annual event gives you the chance to sample new products, network with sales representatives, and experience first-hand the newest trends and industry developments.
We’d like to say "thank you" to all who participated and attended. We couldn’t have done it without our fantastic vendors and customers!
Guests browsed the exhibits and had their taste buds working overtime sampling new products in foodservice as well as innovative approaches to traditional favourites. Customers felt that this year’s show was very resource-focused, according to Dave Ball, Division Sales Manager for Flanagan's. “Products complemented current trends, and each booth provided great insight to menu planning,” says Ball. “Vendors didn’t just display their products, they explained how to sell it.”
Some of these trending items included the Maplehurst/Weston Bakeries doughnut wall and doughnut pops, as well as Rich’s Foodservice freakshakes.
Maplehurst/Weston's unique doughnuts can be customized to specific events, and Rich's crazy shakes are an incredibly popular menu trend. Both are sure to be posted to social media by your customers. (Take it from us—we couldn't resist getting a photo!) From left: Maplehurst/Weston Bakeries doughnut wall and doughnut pops, Rich's Foodservice freakshakes.
This year's shows were centre-of-plate focused, featuring premium beef, fresh seafood and custom-cut poultry. As an introduction to our Carve premium Ontario beef brand, a chef greeted customers at the Carve booth with tender and delicious ribeye and striploin steaks.
“There was high interest in Flanagan’s protein products,” Ball continues, “most notably our new premium Ontario beef brand, Carve, and fresh seafood from Caudle’s Catch.”
Speaking of Ontario…
A customer favourite, the Cash & Carry booth has hot deals on a wide variety of smallwares items each year.
“I had customers tell me that this was one of our better quality shows,” says Ball.
“Our show has a unique level of energy,” adds Amber Recchia, Event Coordinator for Flanagan’s. “Flanagan vendors love the level of engagement they receive from our customers.”
We take pride in inviting our customers to the shows. We recognize their busy schedules, and greatly appreciate the time they take to spend with us.
Our goal for each show is to delight, educate and feed our guests—we've done just that for another successful food show season.
Thank you!
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Each spring, thousands of people gather at the Flanagan Food Show to visit, sample unique new products, network with industry leaders and get exclusive show deals on a selection of products.
It was our 37th year hosting the show, and this year's was amazing. There was a buzz of excitement in the air as members of the industry came together to celebrate and learn about all things foodservice.
Because there is so much to see and taste (everyone’s favourite part) in just one day, we’ve recapped highlights of the show for you.
We sampled new products, learned new trends from each presentation, and had the chance to chat with vendor reps about what’s new and exciting in the world of Canadian foodservice.
Food Show ProductsBy Jackie Oakes I’m Jackie, Senior Marketing Manager at Flanagan’s. I was able to visit many booths on show day and wanted to share some of my favourite discoveries:
It has a write-on block allowing operators to identify the customer or order number.They also offer custom print the bags; minimum case order is 250 cases.
McCain Avocado Wedges and Root Vegetable Medley Flanagan codes: 199024 and 193039
McCain actually had four new products that I enjoyed sampling, but I forced myself to choose my two favourites to share with you:
Avocado Slices YUM! Menu penetration for avocados are up 32% over the past four years and this breaded avocado is a great appetizer or addition to a burger. This provides operators an easy way to handle avocado, which can be rather temperamental.
Root Vegetable Medley A tasty, unique twist on a traditional fry. Carrots, parsnips and beets are cut and lightly battered. Presentation is beautiful on the plate!
Carole’s Cheesecake on a Stik
This is the perfect product to allow your guests indulge, while not breaking the calorie-bank. Today’s consumers are time strapped and want convenient foods that are easy to snack on. This product would work great in a location marketed as an afternoon snack.
Mini Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza Appetizer and Chicken Quesadilla Appetizer Flanagan codes: 187791 and 187785 Brom Mise en Bouche was not a company I was familiar with before the show, and I was eager to try their appetizers. With more than 20 years’ experience in food manufacturing, their line of hors d’oeuvres and canapés were delicious!
My favourites were the pizza-style mini tartlet with pepperoni and cheese and the tortilla dough cone filled with chicken, strong cheddar, peppers and onions.
Strawberry Peanut Stick, Raspberry Chocolate Danish and Sweet Potato Bun Flanagan codes: Strawberry Peanut Stick – 107549
The Bridor story began in the 1970s, when Louis Le Duff moved from France to Quebec and couldn’t find a pastry to equal that in France. He opened in his first bakery in 1980 and has been developing high quality breads and pastries for over 30 years.
Bridor just launched a Strawberry Peanut Stick to mirror the attributes of a peanut butter and jam sandwich, which was scrumptious!
I am hard pressed to pick between that and the chocolate raspberry Danish. I was very excited about the sweet potato hamburger bun. The taste is very subtle, making this bun ideal for a pulled pork sandwich.
MadeGood Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip and Sweet and Salty Granola Bars Flanagan codes: Chocolate Chip – 364538 Made Good has a great story, leaning on healthy food as well as being an inclusive company. Half of their employees—from management to production—are women. Newcomers to Canada and people from under-represented groups enjoy a sense of belonging at MadeGood.
With one full serving of vegetables from six different sources, the vegan granola bars are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can help contribute to a healthy digestive and immune system.
Wings' Uncooked Ramen Noodles Flanagan code: 119450 What is great about this traditional ramen noodle is that the product comes pre-portioned in a case of 24. Each package is 100 grams. It can be used in soups or as a cold noodle salad.
Here is a Ramen Chicken Noodle Soup recipe using the product: Ingredients 4 bundles Wing’s Ramen Noodles
Preparation In a large pot, bring chicken broth and ginger to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Serves: 4
Beyond Sausage by Beyond Meat
Wow! Factor’s Sangria Cake, Reese Peanut Butter Blondie, and Vegan Chocolate Torte Flanagan codes: Sangria Cake – 104169 Wow! Factor was another booth I didn’t want to miss. I featured the Reese Peanut Butter Blondie in an issue of our New Product Newsletter shortly before the show, and I had to try it for myself.
Wow! Factor has released five unique new products for spring 2019, and these products were three of them.
The Reese Peanut Butter Blondie tastes exactly as you’d imagine a Reese candy would taste in cake form. In other words, decadent.
Their Vegan Chocolate Cake is comprised of mostly plant ingredients, and the Sangria Cake is heavenly, fresh, and chock-full of summer berries.
Fully Cooked Chicken Wings
Even better: this product qualifies for Brand Points Plus, and until June 30 you can earn 5 bonus points for each case purchased!
KIND Bars
The Deals Once again, we had a Truckload Deals section in the centre of the show floor that featured one-day-only deals on select products. Flanagan customers placed their orders on the spot, and saved anywhere from $0.50 to $18.00 per case (or portion, depending on the product).
Products with deals included Grille & Galley Gourmet steak, Redpath sugar, Gay Lea salted and unsalted butter, High Liner seafood, and a variety of smallwares.
Though the Truckload Deals were one-day-only, show pricing applies for six weeks past show date; reach out to your Territory Manager for more information or call Customer Relations at 1-855-FLANAGAN.
Thank you to all guests, vendors, presenters and staff for another wonderful show season. We look forward to seeing you in 2020!
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Each year, our spring trade shows aim to inspire guests with exciting menu suggestions, new cooking techniques and more. Walking the show floor this year, I was inspired by all the products and presentations. Truly outstanding!
Enjoy this recap video of our 2018 show; thank you to all customers and suppliers who made this show another fantastic event.
(Below the video, I've highlighted a few of my favourite new products from the show. (Fair warning—I have a sweet tooth!)
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Flanagan's annual Food Show has thousands of products from over two hundred National Brand vendors, great deals, and fresh ideas—all in one place.
1. Menu Ideas Indulge in fresh and fabulous flavours on display to get new ideas for menu planning, plating and garnishing.
2. Hot Trends Experience first-hand the newest trends and industry developments, with new product launches, unique recipes and leading-edge product demonstrations.
3. Big Deals Just by attending the show, get exclusive pricing on more than 1,500 featured products. 4. Networking Opportunities Network with sales representatives and other operators in an interactive environment for new insight, ideas and innovations.
5. The s.t.o.p. Cash & Carry Booth Pick up high-quality products at rock-bottom prices while speaking with vendor representatives about which products work best for your operation.
6. Sample Food and Beverage Take the opportunity to sample and savour mouthwatering products that exhibitors have to offer. (A treat for your tastebuds!)
7. Over 150 Vendors Enjoy live demonstrations from over 150 vendors, while having the opportunity to meet the innovators behind the ideas. 8. A Fun Event for All Eat, drink, and be merry—one booth at a time!
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Jackie Oakes 19 March 8, 2021 |
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Flanagan Foodservice 68 December 5, 2019 |