Latest News From Foodservice

‘Perfect Storm’ Makes Restaurant Recovery A Long Haul
‘Perfect Storm’ Makes Restaurant Recovery A Long Haul

It’s calculated due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, 90,000 restaurants have closed either permanently or long-term.

Normal is near, industry believes
Normal is near, industry believes

Produce industry leaders think that the complete lifting of COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and social gatherings is the best indication that foodservice business will return to pre-pandemic levels.

Is Food Inflation Real?
Is Food Inflation Real?

The National Restaurant Association says wholesale food prices remain on track to post their largest annual increase since 2014.

Looking back with pride on navigating pandemic
Looking back with pride on navigating pandemic

Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic, industry leaders found many reasons to take pride in how their companies came through the worst of the pandemic.

Pandemic delivered tough lessons
Pandemic delivered tough lessons

The COVID-19 pandemic taught some tough lessons to produce operators in the foodservice sector.

Finding quality employees is a difficult process.
Labor shortage for restaurants brings implications for foodservice suppliers

The labor shortage at restaurants has implications for produce suppliers.

Trust in foodservice returning, but sales still lag
Trust in foodservice returning, but sales still lag

Most foodservice suppliers responding to a survey by The Packer report their foodservice business still lags well behind pre-pandemic levels, but it’s starting to come back.

Vaccination rates rise, restrictions ease
Vaccination rates rise, restrictions ease

With 70% of adults in New York having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said June 15 the state was ready to “return to life as we know it.”

Americans want to get out of their houses and eat out
Americans want to get out of their houses and eat out

Americans are ready to leave their homes and are spending money at restaurants when they are out.

Foodservice rebounding, but staffing well below pre-pandemic levels
Foodservice rebounding, but staffing well below pre-pandemic levels

Restaurant employment rose for the fifth consecutive month in May, but staffing levels remain well below pre-pandemic levels, according to government figures.

United Fresh Start Foundation’s “Back to School” Discussion Series to Connect Produce Suppliers and K-12 Foodservice  
United Fresh Start Foundation’s “Back to School” Discussion Series to Connect Produce Suppliers and K-12 Foodservice  

The United Fresh Start Foundation will host a “Back to School with Fruits and Veggies” Discussion Series the week of July 26-30.

Industry ponders what it needs from lawmakers for full recovery
Industry ponders what it needs from lawmakers for full recovery

In the wake of the lingering crisis that is the COVID-19 pandemic, what do foodservice distributors and operators need from industry advocates and policymakers?

USDA looks at retail, foodservice sales trends
USDA looks at retail, foodservice sales trends

There were significant swings in consumer spending on food during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new U.S. Department of Agriculture study seeks to pinpoint trends related to those swings.

millennials_at_restaurant
Foodservice sales exploding

Foodservice demand is revving up for a torrid summer.

Packer Insight – Focus on Foodservice
Packer Insight – Focus on Foodservice

The Packer's editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder discuss the return of foodservice in the latest episode of Packer Insight.

East Coast foodservice demand picking up — in these ways
East Coast foodservice demand picking up — in these ways

Richard “RJ” Durante chatted on his cell phone while riding in the cab of the Nardella Produce truck from the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market to deliver to Pie Lady Café in Moorestown, N.J.

Foodservice, retail see growth amid higher consumer spending on food
Foodservice, retail see growth amid higher consumer spending on food

How the food dollar ultimately splits out between foodservice and retail remains to be seen, but right now both channels are experiencing growth.

Packer survey: Foodservice sales heating up?
Packer survey: Foodservice sales heating up?

Is the foodservice sector finally getting back on track?

United Fresh honors 2021 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners During PMA Foodservice in July
United Fresh honors 2021 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award Winners During PMA Foodservice in July

United Fresh will celebrate nine of the country’s most innovative chefs and foodservice professionals representing an array of culinary styles and backgrounds this July.

These are the spring 2021 foodservice trends for produce
These are the spring 2021 foodservice trends for produce

Fresh produce plays a leading role in ghost kitchens, virtual brands and delivery-only concepts taking the spotlight during the pandemic and not stepping off stage soon.

Coastline Family Farms sees foodservice demand rebound
Coastline Family Farms sees foodservice demand rebound

The year-round onion program for Salinas, Calif.-based Coastline Family Farms is heavily focused on foodservice and a big rebound in sales is anticipated this year.

Foodservice onion demand showing improvement
Foodservice onion demand showing improvement

With vaccinated millions on the move again, onion shippers are optimistic about the shape of foodservice demand in the coming months.

Labor Shortage? Data Shows Added Unemployment Payments are Crippling Employers' Ability to Find Workers
Labor Shortage? Data Shows Added Unemployment Payments are Crippling Employers' Ability to Find Workers

Restaurants closing early. Sign after sign plastered along roadsides with businesses looking for help. The hiring issue is crippling everything from manufacturing to the restaurant industry today.

PMA Foodservice registration to open April 28
PMA Foodservice registration to open April 28

Registration will open April 28 for the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference & Expo in Monterey, Calif.

CPMA: Don’t say the word ‘pivot’ but fine, foodservice pivoted
CPMA: Don’t say the word ‘pivot’ but fine, foodservice pivoted

Steve Bamford was reluctant to utter the overused word “pivot,” but there’s good reason it’s been said ad nauseam in the past year.

Rabobank: foodservice sector may not see “normal” until mid-to-late 2022
Rabobank: foodservice sector may not see “normal” until mid-to-late 2022

The U.S. foodservice sector is still lagging more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic compelled authorities to restrict restaurant operations, and a full recovery may not happen until mid-2022.

Foodservice demand improving for avocados
Foodservice demand improving for avocados

Most California avocado marketers are optimistic that the foodservice trend line is pointing higher, but say making firm predictions is impossible.

PMA back in Monterey for in-person July Foodservice Conference
PMA back in Monterey for in-person July Foodservice Conference

The Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association will be bringing the industry back together – in person – in Monterey, Calif., for the Foodservice Conference on July 21-22. 

Restaurants still vulnerable, association tells Congress
Restaurants still vulnerable, association tells Congress

U.S. restaurants continue to be susceptible to failure and need federal help, the National Restaurant Association told Congress in a March 2 letter.

These are the foodservice trends for winter 2021

Even though lemons and onions have close to full foodservice penetration in all regional U.S. markets, data shows they’re the way to go for the rest of winter and into spring.

Church Brothers has launched a new foodservice option.
Church Brothers debuts Little Gem pack for foodservice

Now available from Salinas, Calif.-based Church Brothers Farms is a new foodservice pack of the company’s Little Gem lettuce, marketed under the SweetHearts brand.

Senate passes amendment that includes help for restaurants
Senate passes amendment that includes help for restaurants

With a 90-10 vote, the U.S. Senate passed an amendment that calls for a direct restaurant relief fund, now part of President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Fresh Del Monte Produce opens FRSHst restaurant In Miami 

FRSHst™, the innovative fresh and healthy dining experience from Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte Produce has just launched in Miami.

Fresh Freight recognizes US Foods for supply chain leadership
Fresh Freight recognizes US Foods for supply chain leadership

Fresh Freight LLC, the industry’s premier full-service provider of food transportation services, announced that US Foods has received its first annual Shipper of Choice award for supply chain leadership.

Texas food banks continue with big needs
Texas food banks continue with big needs

Community needs at Texas food banks continue at high levels 10 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and there is no sign of any easing.

Deadline to nominate for United Fresh’s foodservice awards nears

This Friday, Jan. 15, is the deadline to nominate an outstanding chef or foodservice operator for our 2021 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program.

Clockwise from top left: Northeast editor Amy Sowder, retail editor Ashley Nickle, copy editor and designer Amelia Freidline.
Video review — Chipotle's new cauliflower rice

Chipotle has launched a new option for its popular burritos and bowls: Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower Rice.

FreshEdge expands with Leonardo’s Produce acquisition
FreshEdge expands with Leonardo’s Produce acquisition

Leonardo’s Produce, Detroit, has joined the FreshEdge group of produce and specialty food companies.

South Mill Champs acquires mushroom processor

South Mill Champs, Kennett Square, Pa., has acquired processor The Mushroom Company, Cambridge, Md.

Chicago distributors approach holidays warily
Chicago distributors approach holidays warily

Thanksgiving wasn’t a blockbuster holiday for Chicago area produce distributors, but they said it wasn’t a total disaster saleswise.

Choco app connects foodservice distributors with restaurants

Choco, a global company focused on building a more sustainable food industry by simplifying how restaurants order from suppliers, released Broadcast today.

United Fresh foodservice report highlights holidays, back to school

The United Fresh Produce Association’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice fall issue highlights the traditional holiday meal mainstays, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued effects on the foodservice sector.

Advisor network helps Oregon restaurants during pandemic
Advisor network helps Oregon restaurants during pandemic

The Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association and Oregon’s Small Business Development Center Network are pleased to announce the launch of a new, no-cost, one on one confidential advisor network.

United Fresh seeks foodservice award nominations

United Fresh has opened the nomination period for the 2021 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Awards Program.

Golbon recognizes foodservice distributors
Golbon recognizes foodservice distributors

Foodservice distributor Golbon, Boise, Idaho, recently recognized members during its annual awards program, an online event this year.

National Watermelon Promotion Board continues focus in fall, winter
National Watermelon Promotion Board continues focus in fall, winter

On the heels of strategic planning and virtual Board meeting, the National Watermelon Promotion Board is entering in to the fall and winter months well-positioned to strengthen demand for watermelon.

Low retail inflation holds for fruits and vegetables
Low retail inflation holds for fruits and vegetables

In a year that has seen double-digit increases in demand for fresh produce at supermarkets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that retail prices for fruits and vegetables will come in below historical averages.

PBH touts National Fruits & Veggies Month successes

The Produce for Better Health Foundation’s National Fruits & Veggies Month campaign in September generated nearly 75 million impressions through traditional and social media channels.

Advantage Waypoint handles foodservice sales for Maglio Cos.

National foodservice and marketing agency Advantage Waypoint represents The Fresh Group Ltd. Maglio Cos. 

Idaho potato industry adjusts to pandemic’s blow to foodservice

Potato sales have taken a big turn toward the retail channel during the current COVID-19 pandemic, and suppliers of Idaho spuds have adapted.