Latest News From SPECIAL REPORT: Foodservice

Gonzales, Calif.-based Misionero will showcase its deli leaf lettuce at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference in late July. 

The California Avocado Commission has changed its foodservice menu promotions during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Jan DeLyser, vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission.

Oxnard, Calif.-based Bobalu Berries has added private label packaging to its mix for one of the firm’s foodservice customers, said Cindy Jewell, marketing representative for the company.

Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods is introducing new foodservice vegetable packs at the International Fresh Produce Association’s July 28-29 Foodservice Conference.

Fueled by a strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. consumers are spending record sums on food eaten away from home, the USDA reports.

Babé Farms is featuring a new lettuce item called “Ro-Minis” at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Foodservice Conference, said Matt Hiltner, marketing coordinator.

To say the COVID-19 pandemic had a dramatic impact on consumer attitudes on plastic packaging would be a huge understatement, Matt Dusi thinks.

A return to “normal” conditions in the foodservice industry could lead to lower demand for single-use plastics and relaxed packaging pricing next year.

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.

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.

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

The labor shortage at restaurants has implications for produce suppliers.

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.

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.”

Foodservice demand is revving up for a torrid summer.

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

Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. will feature its new campaign — Taking a Healthy Stand — at the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference and Expo in Monterey, Calif.

Santa Maria, Calif.-based Gold Coast Packing Inc. plans to add whole and halved Brussels sprouts to its line of specialty cut shredded Brussels sprouts by July 1, said salesman Dave Johnson.

Organic shishito and jalapeño peppers have become popular items among foodservice customers of Los Angeles-based 4Earth Farms, said Mark Munger, vice president of sales and marketing.

The Chuck Olsen Co. Inc., Visalia, Calif., has been stepping up its load consolidation service to better serve its customers and should see a big jump in grape volume this season, said Jeff Olsen, president.

Foodservice business continues to be the anchor of the fresh-cut operation at Oxnard, Calif.-based Boskovich Farms Fresh Cut Division Inc.

The timing couldn’t be better for Estero, Fla.-based Naturipe Farms LLC to step up its emphasis on foodservice.

Several commodity boards, councils and commissions are planning promotional activities aimed at foodservice this summer. Here’s a look at some of them.

If the admonishment “no dessert until you eat your vegetables” still haunts you from your childhood, you’ll be happy to know that you can indulge guilt free when you dine at New York City’s Gramercy Tavern.

A different schedule, a mobile app to match buyers and sellers and a series of a la carte education sessions are just a few of the new features at the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference and Expo.

Summer may not be the busiest season for foodservice sales, but most suppliers report steady business even as schools close and families take off for vacation.

The latest monthly survey of U.S. restaurant operators showed a slight decline in their business outlook compared to the previous study, but there was some positive news.

Commodity boards, councils and commissions representing fresh produce from avocados to mushrooms to watermelon are running promotional activities aimed at foodservice this summer. Here’s a look at some of them.

This may be the 37th edition of the Produce Marketing Association’s Foodservice Conference and Expo, but the foodservice industry has learned over the years that the conference is never a same-old same-old event.

Limoneira Co. offers customized promotions for its foodservice customers as well as a 12-month promotion calendar.

Orlando, Fla.-based Spice World Inc. expected a “good harvest with good yields” from its California garlic program that started in mid-June.

After 17 years at City of Industry-based FreshPoint Southern California, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sysco Corp., president Verne Lusby retired July 1.

Most produce suppliers and even those in the restaurant industry are pleased with the FDA's regulation requiring many restaurants and retail food establishments to show calorie counts on menus and menu boards.

Many produce companies that supply foodservice customers see demand decrease somewhat during the summertime, depending on their location and customer base.

Los Angeles-based 4Earth Farms added two kinds of organic chili peppers to its product line.

Business updates on companies featured in The Packer's Foodservice report