market basket 2008-11-01

EDITED BY DIANE RIDGE

Pioneer Griddle Mixes from C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc. offer custom-blended pancake and waffle mixes made with real buttermilk solids and distinctive vanilla flavor. Use these versatile mixes for signature recipes not just at breakfast, but at every time of day. Available in Original Buttermilk Pancake, Buttermilk Pancake and Waffle, Western Style Buttermilk Pancake, and Multi-Grain Pancake Mixes. Offered in 5-pound packages, six packages per case; also available in a 25-pound bag. For more information, call 800-531-7912, ext. 6403, or visit www.chguenther.com.

Fresh ripe mango blends easily with the myriad of seasonal ingredients like the National Mango Board's Lamb, Lime and Mango Salad. And operators can take advantage of mangos year round availability. For menu inspiration, product information, and recipes, visit www.mango.org.

Finally a solution exists that offers patients a safe and easy mechanism to take control of their meal ordering. As an add-on module to Hospitality Suite, Computrition's comprehensive foodservice and diet office software solution, and in conjunction with a meal ordering system and in-suite TVs/monitors, TouchPoint Dining offers clinically-specified menus displayed directly to patients. For information, call 800-222-4488 ext. 250, or visit http://www.computrition.com/touchpointdining.htm.

Gourmet Tortilla Strips from Fresh Gourmet are the only shelf-stable, ready-to-use tortilla strips available in foodservice! Straight out of their stay-fresh, one-pound foil bags, these crunchy toppings are made from a traditional recipe of corn masa flour, sunflower oil, salt and a hint of lime. Available in lightly salted and tri-colored varieties.

For more information and other salad toppings, visit www.foodservice.freshgourmet.com or call 888-708-2222.

Dreyers/Edy's introduces a new soft serve program for foodservice. The full line includes tart yogurt, low fat and non-fat frozen yogurt, ice cream and frozen custard — all backed with traffic-driving branded POS materials. The “Custom Flavor System” enables operators to serve a wide variety of frozen yogurt flavors, simply by adding any one of 15 flavorings to a single yogurt base. The shelf-stable flavorings are packed in unique, portion-controlled bottles so there's no waste, spill or mess. For more information, call 800-531-CONE.

Jones Dairy Farm introduces its new “Simply Homemade” Breakfast Tartlet. The fully cooked, heat-and-serve six-ounce tartlet features a mixture of scrambled eggs, potatoes and Cheddar cheese placed on top of a Jones all natural sausage patty. Baked within a flaky trans-fat free pastry crust, the product is fully cooked, sold frozen and can be heated as needed. For information, recipes ideas and news, visit www.jonesdairyfarm.com or call 800-635-6637.

Wrapped in an exquisite pebbly green skin, the smooth, creamy and nutty flavor of fresh Hass Avocados is the perfect ingredient to grace the holiday menu, turning ordinary dishes into extraordinary delights. Post-holidays use fresh Hass avocados to dress up the leftovers in sandwiches, salads and salsas. Yesterday's roasted turkey is today's menu special such as Fresh Avocado Turkey Sandwich. Contact the Hass Avocado Board at 800-370-3782 for your free copy of the Foodservice Promotion Guide, or visit avocadocentral.com/foodservice.

The Flav R Pac Connoisseur Collection of premium vegetable blends from NorPac were created from the kitchens of expert culinary chefs who begin with the freshest vegetables and carefully add light sauces and vibrant herb blends to create a collection that is as delicious as it is versatile. Now culinary excellence is achieved with ease from trend-setting tastes to classic sides. Visit www.norpac.com or call 800-822-2898.

For operators seeking superior products for steamed-milk coffee beverages, look to Pacific Natural Foods' Barista Series Soy Blenders and Organic Dairy Milks. Soy Blenders come in Plain and Vanilla varieties, are made from organic soybeans, and are gluten free, casein free, cholesterol free, and low fat. Organic Dairy Milks, available in 2% reduced fat and fat free varieties, come from cows raised humanely on open pastures, without hormones or antibiotics. The products are aseptically packaged in shelf-stable containers. Visit www.pacificfoods.com, for information.

Smucker's Sugar Free Blueberry Syrup is made especially for patrons who desire a superior taste in a sugar-free option. Sweetened with NutraSweet, this blueberry syrup is a low-calorie food that offers a healthier alternative to top pancakes or waffles, or to swirl into hot oatmeal! Now available in bold portion-controlled packaging. Breakfast syrups are also available in Regular and Sugar Free. Visit www.smuckerfoodservice.com for more information.

Simplot focuses on schools this Fall with the launch of School Smart Pancake Pods — grab and go pancake sandwiches with real strawberry filling that meet USDA requirements for reimbursement. Each pod counts as one bread serving and ½ meat alternate. The trans fat free pods have 6 grams of protein, 0g saturated fat and no high-fructose corn syrup. The product is also produced in a nut-free facility! Visit www.simplotfoods.com for more information.

Kraft Foodservice introduces the Philly Express Holiday Sweepstakes, a Philadelphia Cream Cheese promotion that offers catering operators the chance to win a four-day three-night trip to Chicago for a culinary innovation session with Kraft chefs (a $5,000 value). Participating operators will receive 50% off a single invoice of bulk Philadelphia Cream Cheese (up to $200). Product must be purchased between November 1 and December 31, 2008. Operators will be rewarded with an additional $50 bonus if they choose to sign up for the free Kraft Works business-building program. Register online at thephillyexpress.com.

FPI's current line-up of MSC certified sustainable seafood now includes Ice Shrimp brand cooked and peeled coldwater salad shrimp. The Ice Shrimp family of products, which includes six popular sizes available in 4/2.5 lb. packs, will all carry the MSC blue eco-label, verification of meeting stringent environmental standards for well-managed and sustainable fisheries. FPI carries over a dozen value-added seafood products that are MSC certified. For more information, visit www.fisheryproducts.com.

The Signature Touch Topping warmer from Server Products keeps syrups and sauces at the ideal serving temperature. The stylish unit makes it easy to add flair to entrees, desserts and coffee drinks. The warmer includes three 16 oz. plastic bottles and features a pre-calibrated adjustable thermostat for safe and efficient heating. The warmer also features a stainless steel warming base and comes with a handy bottle holder inset. NSF listed and backed by a 2-year warranty. Visit www.signature-touch.com, or call 800-558-8722.

Christopher Ranch encourages foodservice operators to look for the country of origin on their garlic purchases. For a mere three cents per serving, Christopher Ranch delivers domestically and sustainably produced, safe, and reliable Heirloom Garlic products with a rich garlic flavor that lasts. For more information, visit www.christopherranch.com or call 800-321-9333.

The Rave Review, the Idaho Potato Commission's quarterly foodservice newsletter, will no longer be sent via snail mail. To ensure a place on the distribution list, IPC asks operators to visit idahopotato.com/fspro, click on “Newletters“ and subscribe electronically. The newsletter offers brief articles highlighting current topics and trends and offering tips and culinary inspiration for working with Idaho Potatoes.

You will find restaurant menu offerings a little sweeter this fall with Equal 1 lb. box. Reduced-calorie apple pie, pumpkin pie, pumpkin nog, and apple spiced butter recipes can be found on www.equal.com. Make seasonal favorites this fall with the reduced-calories your patrons ask for. Equal is a proud supporter of the American Diabetes Association. To place your order for Equal, please call 1-(888)-658-1948.

For operators seeking to serve natural menu options, Minor's introduces All Natural Bases. The All Natural Chicken Base, All Natural Beef Base and All Natural Vegetable Base are made from the finest, natural ingredients to produce a base free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives and with 25% less sodium than regular bases. Satisfy your customers seeking natural foods with new Minor's All Natural Bases. For more information, call 1-800-243-8822 or visit www.nestleprofessional.com.

Rosseto introduces Liteware Recyclable Disposables for holiday parties. Serve small bites on light, easy to recycle dishes for perfect passed trays and beautiful buffet stations. Additional matching trays and display stands add style and elegance to any special event. Cater to guests with unique dishes and make a lasting impression on their appetites and the environment. Call 1-847-763-1215 or visit www.rosseto.com, for more information.

Bruce Foods has added two premium pepper sauces to its Louisiana Gold Pepper Sauce line. Wasabi Pepper Sauce offers a unique blend of wasabi and peppers — a great flavor and heat compliment for Asian cuisine. Horseradish Pepper Sauce fuses the pungent oils of ground horseradish with the spicy heat of peppers to enhance seafood and beef dishes. For more information, visit www.lagoldhotsauce.com.

Discover a new beverage sweetening option with Monin Agave Nectar. The nectar is made with organic agave notable for a lower glycemic index than other sweeteners but 11/2 times sweeter than sugar — so you can use less. Enhance ice tea, lemonade, smoothies and specialty coffee beverages with a clean, fresh and subtle nutty taste. Visit www.monin.com/store for more information.

Discover Hormel Foods new fully cooked breakfast sausage products. They're fast. They're wonderfully consistent. And they deliver that savory sausage flavor your customers want. The fully cooked sausage is an excellent way to ensure performance, consistency and safety — delivering a smart overall value. Choose from three distinctive foodservice brands to achieve the ideal flavor for your customers: Old Tyme Premium Southern Style, Natural Choice and Fast'N Easy. For more information, call 800-723-8000 or visit www.hormelfoodservice.com.

Entice customers with the flavor sensation of indulgent caramel and rich vanilla flavor with Coffee-Mate Vanilla Caramel Bulk Powder Coffee Creamer from Nestle Professional. It's a flavor favorite from Coffee-Mate and is now available in foodservice. Other powder creamer flavors to try include Original, French Vanilla, Hazelnut, and original Lite. For information, call 800-288-8682 or visit www.nestleprofessional.com.

Farmland Foods recognizes the demand for pork produced with health and the environment in mind with the introduction of All Natural Pork Chops. This product comes from single-source pork producers with selected and qualified genetics who follow strict production guidelines. The pork chops are produced without added hormones or artificial ingredients and with minimal processing. Visit www.farmlandfoodservice.com for more.