Worry-free menu options that students will love

As concerns about common allergens have become more of a priority in recent years, foodservice operators in both the K-12 and college/university spaces have taken the initiative to ensure diners have access to foods prepared in safe, worry-free kitchens. By crafting meals that are free from the Top 9 Food Allergens, and offering snacks made with products that are allergen-free, operators can feel confident that they are not only offering delicious options that students and staff will enjoy, but also that the foods being served are safe.

Why allergen-free?

When it comes to a worry-free kitchen, standards have to be high—just one slip can be a life or death experience for a person with allergies, and the preparation environment needs to be held to an all-or-nothing level. That is, if the environment isn’t 100% free of any trace of the allergen, it puts anyone with those allergies at risk.

For facilities that need to eliminate the use of peanuts, peanut butter, and tree nuts, there is an alternative – SunButter. While ingredients like peanut butter provide an easy solution for sandwiches to snacks, sides, desserts and even drinks, SunButter can fill those needs without the worry. SunButter is creamy, delicious and acts as a replacement for peanut and other nut butters with ease. Made from sustainable and affordable sunflower seeds free from the top 9 food allergens, and optimized for versatility and nutrition, SunButter can safely go anywhere in your facility and bring students together over the delicious taste they know and love by name.

Increased snacking habits are an opportunity to elevate the allergen-free menu

According to Technomic’s 2022 Snacking Consumer Trend Report, 20% of consumers are snacking more now than they did before the pandemic, with 77% of consumers snacking at least once a day, 33% having snacks twice a day, 13% having three snacks and 6% having four or more snacks a day. In short, snacking is important, and when consumers choose a snack, flavor/taste is the most important attribute, followed by whether it satisfies their hunger. Enhancing menus across dayparts and expanding off-premise options can increase diner loyalty, and SunButter allows operators to do so without worry.

SunButter can be used in an array of applications, including anywhere peanut butter is used. Whether it’s a protein-packed SunButter and jelly sandwich, a grab-and-go morning snack or an adventurous Thai SunButter noodle salad, SunButter delivers the elevated taste and texture students demand, while also satisfying their hunger with 6-7 grams of plant-based protein (1.1 oz of SunButter equals 1 Meat/Meat Alternate for Child Nutrition Programs).

In addition to bulk formats, SunButter is also offered in single-serving cups, perfect for on-the-go and off-premise dining. Natural and Creamy SunButter are both great for recipe applications, sandwiches and dipping, while Chocolate SunButter is the perfect sweet treat—ideal for pairing with options such as graham crackers, apples and more.

To learn more about SunButter, the Worry-Free Wonderfood, and to request a product sample, visit https://sunbutterfoodservice.com/cusample/.