market basket 2011-03-01

edited by Diane Ridge

The 2011 Fresh California Avocado season has arrived. Look for ripe and flavorful fresh hand grown in California avocados in the market from March through September. During this time, operators can rely on California avocado growers and packers to deliver the premium quality fruit that diners expect and enjoy. To plan exciting new dishes that showcase avocados' nutty taste and rich, smooth texture, browse through the California Avocado Commission's foodservice recipe collection on CaliforniaAvocado.com/Foodservice or call 800-370-3782 for more.

Kraft Vending & OCS introduces the Tassimo Fat Free Cappuccino Milk T Disc, made exclusively for Tassimo Professional brewing systems. With fat-free milk creamer now available, employees get the same frothy texture of real-milk cappuccinos with 40% fewer calories! Simply combine the Gevalia espresso T Disc with the new Tassimo Fat Free Cappuccino Milk T Disc to create the perfect guilt-free drink. Visit Tassimopro.com for more.

RC Fine Foods is introducing a new line of reduced sodium food bases that feature 400mg of sodium (per 8 fl. oz serving) with tremendous flavor. Smart Sodium 400 will be featured in a new “health and wellness” brand called Healthy Foundations. Initially, the Smart Sodium 400 offering will include chicken, beef, vegetable and seafood bases and is available in a variety of sizes and recipes for soups, sauces and gravies already developed for customers to use. For a sample, call 800-526-3953.

Cargill, maker of Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt, has introduced an all-purpose, natural sea salt to the foodservice market under the Diamond Crystal brand. Diamond Crystal Sea Salt is a domestically harvested sea salt sourced from the shores of the Pacific Ocean for a pure, natural taste that helps bring out the true flavors of choice ingredients. Available in additive-free 22 oz. rounds in coarse and fine varieties or purified sea salt in 4-lb. boxes. Visit www.diamondcrystalsalt.com, for more.

The J80 Ultra Juicer from Robot Coupe is the perfect machine to prepare fresh, flavorful juices in your establishment. It enables processing of whole fruits/vegetables…no cutting necessary. To make juice, simply drop the fruit/vegetable into the feed lead; turn on the juicer (the product is automatically drawn down onto the grating plate); and presto — fresh, delicious juice that is bursting with flavor with no loss of nutrients! And, cleaning is easy — all parts are dishwasher safe. Call 800-824-1646 or visit www.robotcoupeusa.com for more.

Bush's Best has long been known for our high quality, superior bean products. And now our rich, plump and flavorful kidney beans are available for foodservice. Large in size, bright in color and solid in texture these Bush's Best Kidney Beans work well in a variety of different types of cuisine and can be used to make anything from soups and chili to casseroles and salads. For more information, visit www.wepickthebest.com.

Smucker Foodservice offers a full line of Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches which are perfect for celebrating National Peanut Butter and Jelly (PB&J) Day, April 2. The soft white or wheat bread sandwiches are filled with creamy peanut butter and delicious Smucker's Grape Jelly, Strawberry Jam or even Honey Spread. For a lower-fat option, Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches made with soy protein are also available. They're simple to prepare — no assembly required; just thaw and serve. Individually wrapped for convenience, the round shape and sealed edges make every bite enjoyable. Visit www.uncrustablesforschools.com for more.

Helping operators offer an overall nutritious menu filled with whole grains and healthy variety, Uncle Ben's announces a robust spring rewards program allowing operators to get up to $1,000 in rebate rewards on product purchases. Up to $6 cash back per case is earned on a variety of products purchased February 28 through April 22. Choose from enticing flavors within many Uncle Ben's product categories, from whole grain and flavored rice to risotto and stuffing mixes. To request rebate information call 800-432-2331. For recipes and more, visit www.MARSfoodservices.com.

Fishery Products International introduces FireRoasters Flame-Seared Seafood. The line features thick-cut fillets of salmon, tilapia and cod that are seasoned and flame-seared to perfection. Bake and in minutes you'll have a profitable entrée that looks freshly made and perfectly slow roasted. Visit www.fisheryproducts.com for details.

Tyson Food Service introduces Tyson Signature Ready Bone-in Wings, making it simple for operators to give customers the signature wings they crave. Versatile and flavorful, Signature Ready Bone-in wings can be served as a shareable appetizer platter, by the piece at a low per-piece price or as an add-on to entrées. Available in three varieties: EverCrisp Individually Frozen Wings; Fast Finish Wings — fully cooked to reduce food-safety risks and perfect for signature saucing; and Oven Roasted Wings — ready for dipping or saucing straight from the fryer or high-heat oven. For product details, visit www.tysonfoodservice.com/wings, or call 800-248-9766.

You asked for it, you got it! Computrition's Point-of-Sale (POS) solution is here! Break away from the “traditional” cash register and process your customers' transactions with ease and full integration into Hospitality Suite products and more. Call 800-222-4488 or email [email protected] for details.

With the average consumer snacking at least once a day, most often between lunch and dinner, Rich Products offers many menu solutions to satisfy patrons' craving for variety, flavor, quality and freshness. Rich's offers a variety of portable snack offerings, from indulgent sweets to savory treats — that deliver on taste and value. For snackers seeking healthier ingredients, Rich's also provides products made with whole grain, protein, fiber and more. For product information, visit www.richsfoodservice.com.

Offer health-conscious consumers a freshly-baked, wholesome, on-the-go breakfast or snack with new 100% whole grain, all-natural Otis Spunkmeyer Tasty Grains Fresh Baked Bars. Available in two flavors — 3 Berry and Trail Mix. Branded window bags are included in every case; free table tents and bakery case cards attract customers and increase sales. Each bar is flash frozen as pre-formed dough and delivers freezer-to-oven convenience. Call 888-ASK-OTIS or visit www.spunkmeyer.com for more.

An all-American fruit favorite, apples rank high in menu usage on annual surveys. With new DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts Diced Apples, operators can capitalize on apple popularity, creating appetizers, sauces, toppings, baked goods and desserts with a flick of the wrist. Dole Chef-Ready Cuts Diced Apples offers all natural fruit, peeled, diced and frozen without sugar or stabilizers. Pour only the necessary amount from the 5-pound re-sealable bag. For information and recipes, visit www.dolefoodservice.com; sign up to receive Dole's new, eco-friendly “Straight From the Source” e-newsletter at www.dolefoodserviceoffers.com/signup; or call 800-723-9868.

Making the most of limited space is a constant challenge. Server Products new, slimmer ⅔ width fountain jar helps increase menu options without taking up any additional countertop space. Retrofit your Server syrup rail or serving bar base from four to six jars and quickly add two more flavor or topping options to help keep your customers happy. Insulated bars and rails using the new ⅔ width jars can be configured with lids, ladles or our durable stainless steel portion control pumps. All are NSF listed and backed by a 2-year warranty. For details, visit www.slim-jar.com or call 800-558-8722.

Over the past decade, the importance of organic produce in restaurant kitchens has driven the category onto the top foodservice trends. Naturally healthful and wholesome dishes begin with ingredients like Christopher Ranch Organic Garlic, Shallots and Specialty Onions. Grown according to USDA organic standards Christopher Ranch Organics satisfy a chef's demands for quality and flavor. For more information and recipes, visit www.christopherranch.com, or call 800-321-9333.

Incorporate extendibility and increase value into your menu with French's Foodservice. From French's Mustard to Cattlemen's Master's Reserve Barbecue Sauces to Frank's Redhot Sauces, these products use only the finest ingredients to make savory sauces and flavorful dishes that save you time and money while growing your profits. With French's Mustard Mixology program, their mustards can be mixed with standard back-of-house ingredients to transform average sauces into unique blends. Cattlemen's BBQ sauce has been used in the winning recipe by every Grand Champion of the Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Competition for the past 17 years. Call 800-442-4733, or visit www.frenchsfoodservice.com.

Flavored specialty coffee drinks continue to grow in appeal and Monin Gourmet Flavorings is now offering Crème Caramel, Roasted Hazelnut, French Vanilla and Sugar Free French Vanilla Syrups to foodservice operators to boost sales of iced coffees and frozen coffee beverages in time for Spring beverage menu planning. Monin offers over 200 specialty syrup, sauce and puree products designed to add flavor and profit to specialty beverages. For more information call 800-966-5225 or visit www.monin.com.

Referred to as “The Fruit of Kings” for their impressive size and spectacular flavor, Bard Valley Medjool Dates are two-and-a-half times larger than other date varieties. With a higher fruit-to-pit ratio, these dates offer operators a higher per piece yield, along with a handsome presentation. Amazingly versatile, Medjool dates team with both sweet and savory flavor profiles, allowing plenty of latitude for menu innovation. Hand grown on family farms Bard Valley Medjool Dates are pesticide-free, preservative-free, and are available year-round. For more information, visit www.bardmedjool.com

The new Element dispenser from San Jamar is the simplest, most compact, option in lever roll towel dispensing. The Element enters the market 33% smaller than the industry's standard lever roll towel cabinet. The unit still dispenses 8 inch 800 foot rolls of universal paper. It has been designed to match the line of San Jamar dispensers, and is coming to the market priced 10% less than nearly any universal roll towel dispenser. For more information, visit www.sanjamar.com.

Nothing conveys a taste of the tropics like fresh mangos and you can use them to bring a burst of sunshine to your menu all year-round (there are six mango varieties available in the U.S. throughout the year). The National Mango Board (NMB) has made it its mission to educate foodservice professionals about the availability, selection and preparation of the world's most popular fruit. Download the two-page reference, Mango Varieties & Availability for year-round menu planning. Visit www.mango.org/foodservice for information, including cutting guides, promotion ideas, nutrition information and recipes.

Cardinal International, a subsidiary of worldwide Arc International, has developed Zenix, a revolutionary new dinnerware material from a superior combination of select pure minerals that add durability and absolute scratch-resistance. Made in the Arc factory in France, Zenix is so durable that Cardinal offers both an Arcoroc 5-year chip warranty and a first-time-ever 10-year shape warranty. Best of all, Cardinal can price this innovative new material at an entry-level dinnerware price point. Visit www.cardinalglass.com for more.

Chai has become an international favorite. That's why Pacific Natural Foods is excited to introduce to its popular Barista Series line two Organic Chai Latte Concentrates that use only brewed, Fair Trade Certified Organic tea as the lead ingredient, not tea concentrate. Packaged aseptically for shelf-stable convenience, Organic Original and Spicy Chai increase variety and enhance the flavor solutions of beverage menus from C-stores to beverage kiosks in healthcare, B&I and college and university settings — anywhere hot and cold beverages are crafted to order. Visit www.pacificfoods.com/foodservice for more.

In the 2010 Food & Health Survey of the International Food Information Council, approximately 50% of consumers questioned believe that food safety in the U.S. is the responsibility of foodservice/retailers. To update your staff with important information, the American Egg Board has available an egg safety & handling DVD, “The Special of the Day: The Eggceptional Egg.”

The 10-minute DVD highlights key points when working with eggs — storage, receiving, and handling. Call 847-296-7043, or visit www.aeb.org/Foodservice for details.