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By Alasko Foods
When it comes to nutrition, fruits and vegetables have always been the go-to in terms of healthy eating. Tried and true, their combination of practicality, taste, and nutritional benefit are second to none. However, frozen rather than fresh produce has several unique benefits which make them a clear choice for the resourceful restaurant operator.
Here are five reasons why:
Frozen fruit is actually richer in nutrients on average than their fresh counterparts, according to a study by the University of California-Davis.¹ This is because of its enhanced preservation through a unique freezing method. Companies like Alasko, which utilize IQF (individual quick freezing) technology, do so because it locks in freshness, flavour, colour, and taste.
Individual quick freezing takes single pieces of food and, as the name suggests, freezes them individually at extremely low temperatures. This prevents the formation of large ice crystals that conventional freezing would cause, and preserves the high-quality state that the food is currently in.
IQF fruits and vegetables are always in season, simply because that’s the state at which they are frozen in.
Thanks to worldwide sourcing—which market leaders such as Alasko benefit from due to their extensive global supply network—it is feasible to obtain the best possible product from whichever region it happens to be currently in-season. Using IQF technology, the produce that ends up in your recipe and menu items is as fresh as it was when picked.
Frozen produce has a lot more potential to it than meets the eye.
Rather than having to peel, chop, and prepare a fresh fruit or vegetable, IQF produce is frozen in a state that is ready to use. Simply toss fruits in a blender to make a smoothie, chop them up and make a salsa, or incorporate them into a smoothie bowl. Easily mix vegetables into a stir fry or casserole, or into a dip.
The possibilities are extensive!
The disadvantage of fresh produce is that it needs to be consumed in a certain window of time before it starts to become overripe. This can put a lot of pressure for you to make use of it as quickly as possible. (Granted, frozen produce still has this window as well, but it is far lengthier—typically 24 months, as opposed to a week or so.²)
Simply take out the portion you need, and put the rest away where it will remain frozen and unspoiled.
Using frozen fruits and vegetables minimizes your expenses in the areas of labour and food waste. Frozen produce is already cut, washed, and ready to toss in a recipe, and unused quantities can be put right back into the freezer. Even better, frozen produce can be less costly than their fresh counterparts.³
When it comes to the ingredients to put in your recipes, you are constantly faced with choice. Frozen fruits and vegetables have several benefits that are often overlooked in comparison to the alternatives. Whether it’s the heightened nutrition, convenience, or cheaper cost: frozen fruits and vegetables are definitely worth it.
For delicious IQF products to use in your next recipe, contact your Flanagan Foodservice sales representative or call our Customer Relations team at 1-855-FLANAGAN.
About Alasko
Alasko Foods is a leader in global sourcing of conventional and organic frozen fruits and vegetables, with a reputation for providing superior, world class service to customers across Canada, the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Committed to delivering the safest and highest quality products, without compromise, Alasko Foods will source, process, pack, label, brand and distribute the best fresh-frozen fruits and vegetables the world has to offer. Learn more at alasko.com.
References:
[1] Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture c 87:930–944
[2] U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2015; Foodsafety.gov
[3] United Stated Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2016
In the competitive world of restaurants, bars, and family entertainment centers, operators are constantly seeking innovative ways to attract customers and enhance their overall experience. One such strategy gaining popularity is the inclusion of a high-quality frozen beverage offer.
People of all ages are drawn to refreshing and indulgent frozen treats, making them an attractive option for customers seeking a cool, thirst-quenching experience. By providing an enticing range of flavours and toppings, establishments can cater to a broad audience, including children (kid-friendly flavours and imaginative presentations) and adults (alcoholic frozen cocktails or boozy milkshakes). Satisfied customers are more likely to return and recommend the venue to others, resulting in enhanced loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing.
A good frozen beverage program can set an establishment apart from its competitors. By offering unique flavours, customizable options, and eye-catching presentations, operators can create a distinctive experience that stands out in customers' minds. .
Frozen beverages often have higher profit margins compared to other menu items, as they require relatively inexpensive ingredients and simple preparation methods. Additionally, upselling opportunities arise when customers opt for add-ons such as whipped cream, syrups, or fruit garnishes.
Don’t forget to promote, promote and promote! Strategically placing attractive signage or display boards showcasing frozen beverage options, piquing customer interest and encourage them to explore additional menu items. Consider creating a combo that pair frozen beverages with popular food items, enticing customers to increase their overall spend.
From attracting new customers and enhancing the overall dining experience to generating additional revenue and staying competitive, frozen beverages have become a valuable asset for businesses seeking to differentiate themselves in the market.
Blender Boyz line of slush and cappuccino mixes. A delicious blends of flavours and real ingredients:
409044 SLUSH CAPPUCCINO ICE FR VANILLA 3+1
409048 SLUSH CAPPUCINO ICE MOCHA 3+1
409797 SLUSH SLUSH BLUE RASPBERRY 5+1
409658 SLUSH SLUSH CHERRY 5+1
Mother’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants. This creates not only an opportunity to boost business on the day itself, but also for repeat business. You’ll serve guests who may not frequent your restaurant, but are looking for something special. If they have a positive experience, they are likely to come back.
Offer a special Mother's Day brunch menu
Mother's Day is the perfect time to show moms and other special mother figures in your life just how much they mean to you. Eggs Benedict, special waffles, pancakes, omelets, breakfast casseroles, smoked salmon toast…the possibilities are endless! Add some freshly squeezed juice and mimosas to give it extra flair.
Occupy children
Mother’s Day also means there will be lots of children, and it’s hard for moms to enjoy themselves if the kids aren’t happy. Keeping children entertained could mean providing the usual crayons and colouring pages or you could go the extra distance by providing a craft that the kids could make for mom. One possibility would be to decorate cookies (see codes below). Of course, be prepared for the potential messiness of the craft.
- ENGLISH BAY MONSTER M&M COOKIE DOUGH RTB (128358)
- RICHS ICING CREAM CHEESE BAG-EEZ (105312)
- DAWN RAINBOW SPRINKLES (304780)
Decorate the restaurant with flowers and set up a special photo booth
Decorating a restaurant with mother-themed decorations can be a fun and creative way to show your appreciation. From vibrant flower arrangements that mimic the beauty of nature or stunning bouquets featuring various shades of pink, you'll find no shortage of unique decoration options to choose from. Additionally, using placards inscribed with inspiring quotes or messages will add a special touch to the atmosphere. Set up a special photo booth or area where mothers can take selfies and capture the moment with their families. The thoughtful gesture won’t soon be forgotten!
Give out discount cards for future visits to all mothers who dine with you
Offer mother’s a discount card to thank them for dining with you. Whether they come in as a group or bring their whole family, showing your appreciation with a discount card is an easy way to show them how much you appreciate their business. This strategy is particularly beneficial as Mother’s most often make the decision as to where to dine out for future visits, bringing them back to your establishment. Suggestions include 10% off when they dine again with you or even enjoy free items on their next visit.
Promote, promote, promote!
There are many ways to get the word out about your restaurant and special Mother’s Day promotions. Social media is the most obvious choice, in addition to the benefits of social (low cost, large reach) the post itself can be easily shared with family members. Also update your website with your special menu and any other pertinent information. Depending on your budget, don’t dismiss print advertisements and radio, as these more traditional forms of marketing are still effective.
With some forethought and planning, restaurants can capitalize on Mother’s Day. By offering special menus or kids’ activities while being fully prepared with sufficient staff for one of the busiest days of the year, restaurants can create a memorable occasion for families that will keep them coming back time and time again.
If you’re a chef or restaurant owner, chances are you’ve probably heard of sous vide cooking. But what exactly is it? This method isn’t new - in fact, chefs around the world have been using sous vide to create delicious and complex dishes for decades. Sous vide is a modern and sophisticated way of cooking that involves vacuum-sealing ingredients in bags before placing them in either warm or cold water baths at precise temperatures for long periods of time to perfectly cook food from edge to center.
Cardinal’s Safe Sous Vide™ proteins are a breakthrough innovation in food safe sealed environment cooked proteins for restaurants, consumers, and commercial kitchens alike.
1. Food Safety - Each of the proteins are cooked in a sealed environment, ensuring no possible exposure to air or any other element until you open it within your kitchen.
2. Versatility - With chicken, pork and beef available in a variety of formats including whole muscle, diced, pulled, ground and bone in, Cardinal Safe Sous Vide™ products can be used in just about any menu creation you can imagine.
3. Cost Savings - Not only are they delicious alternatives to the proteins you serve today, but they’re fully cooked, can be sauced or spiced, and are versatile in a variety of recipes - saving you on prep time, ingredients and labour costs.
4. Labour Savings - Labour cost savings by way of faster, simplified preparation and clean-up.
5. Clean Ingredients - The cooking process allows proteins to cook in their natural fats, which creates amazing quality and allows Cardinal to only include minimal ingredients within its products.
6. Convenience - The products are fully cooked, so they don’t have to be frozen. With over a 30-day shelf life in every product, it’s easy to use what you need, when you need it and save the rest.
7. Consistency - Whether you’re a restaurant, healthcare or industrial kitchen, you want to know that the proteins you’re using, and ultimately serving to you are customers, offer the same great tasting and eating experience — every time.
Beef
• 158547 Cardinal Meats Diced Braised Beef
• 158112 Cardinal Meats Beef Pulled with au jus
• 158086 Cardinal Meats Meatloaf with Mushroom
• 155441 Cardinal Meats Fully Cooked Burger Beef 4oz
• 158072 Cardinal Meats Beef Pot Roast with au jus - Large
Chicken
• 104841 Cardinal Meats Pulled Chicken
• 164784 Cardinal Meats Pulled Jerk Chicken
• 164649 Cardinal Meats Chicken Breast 3.5oz
• 164270 Cardinal Meats BBQ Rotisserie 1/2 Chicken
Pork
• 164784 Cardinal Meats Pork Back Ribs - 9 pc
• 167546 Cardinal Meats Pulled Pork w/ Chipotle Sauce
• 167554 Cardinal Meats Pulled Pork - No Sauce
Talk to your sales represenative today about Cardinal’s Safe Sous Vide™!
Learn more about Safe Sous Vide
When it comes to outfitting your restaurant with the right food and supplies, it's important to choose a food distributor that can provide everything you need to help your business thrive. Flanagan Foodservice is a family-owned foodservice distributor that has been serving the Ontario foodservice industry for over 45 years. We are proud to be one of the leading broad-line foodservice distributors in the country, servicing over 8,000 customers in Ontario.
Ordering your food and supplies should be simple and hassle-free. We make it easy to get the products you need so that you can focus on what's important: running your business. We understand that your time is valuable, so we aim to be as efficient as possible. You can rest assured knowing that we'll take care of everything for you.
From budget savvy purchases to premium products, we have it all. With a comprehensive selection of brand name products, exclusive brands and local products, we can equip and supply every aspect of your business. And because we're always updating our inventory, you'll always have access to the latest and greatest products on the market.
Flanagan Foodservice is proud to be the only food distributor in Ontario offering membership to the Brand Points Plus loyalty program. Brand Points Plus offers foodservice operators access to exclusive points on branded products and free rewards. With this unique program in place, independent business owners can gain valuable knowledge for their operations that will result in increased profitability with no extra cost!
We understand that running a restaurant can be a daunting task and we are here to help make your job a little bit easier. For more information on what we can do for you, please visit our website or contact us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
Canadian and Family Owned