WATSONVILLE, CA - Fresh produce makes a fantastic addition to any foodservice menu, and berries are no exception. California Giant Berry Farms is one supplier capitalizing on demand in this sector, recently launching its latest strategy. The grower is elevating its investment in foodservice by introducing a new Foodservice Edition of The Buzz Newsletter.
“We’re seeing a resurgence from our customers and the foodservice industry in general lately. As the country begins to re-open, we’re happy for our restaurants, school, and healthcare culinary teams, as they are able to slowly return to increased volumes and service pace,” said Tom Smith, Director of Sales. “With a renewed focus on health and immunity-boosting foods, we saw an opportunity to increase our communication to this audience with inspiring and valuable content that reinforces the many benefits of berries.”
According to a press release, California Giant maintains a core emphasis on consistent supply of top-quality strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries from a dedicated foodservice team. Building on this, the supplier is now expanding its popular weekly crop update newsletter, The Buzz, to a quarterly Foodservice Edition.
Another way that California Giant has been investing in the foodservice industry is through its Annual Chef Invitational. Last year’s event was re-configured to a web-based platform that allowed both trade and consumer audiences to view and participate by voting for their favorite culinary creation. The honor of being named as Top Chef was awarded to Chef Sam Blackburn of Sodexo.
“Due to travel restrictions and cancellations of in-person trade events in 2020, we’re pleased to extend Chef Blackburn’s reign and afford him the opportunity to participate with us on field tours, trade events, and other activities where he will become entrenched in California Giant berries as well as serve as brand ambassador,” Smith continued. “We’re also grateful to all three of our Top Chefs for their contributions to this newsletter. For this first edition, they’ve each provided original recipes that we hope will serve as inspiration to our readers of how to incorporate fresh berries into their menus.”
The newsletter also features the latest information on consumer snacking, healthy eating, and menu trends as they relate to fresh berries. Culinary holidays such as Blueberry Pie Day and Strawberry Shortcake Day, along with traditional dates such as Mother’s Day and the 4th of July, are ideal reasons to ensure fresh berries are used in a variety of menu applications. These dates also perfectly align with promotable volumes of California Giant strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.
To read this first Foodservice Edition of The Buzz, please click here.
Whether they are on the plate or on the shelf, California Giant berries will keep consumers coming back again and again.
