Kids Learn Health and Wellness Dancing with Dole
As we head into the second half of 2012, Dole Foodservice can celebrate a successful school program introduction. First, the students and staff of Epiphany Catholic School danced to victory in the first DOLE Fruit Flash Mob Video Contest. With the goal of teaching students to make wholesome meal choices, the contest encouraged school foodservice directors to use the flash mob format to generate participation. Watch Epiphany’s enthusiastic performance at www.dolefoodservice.com.
While everyone is watching the bottom line in this economy, it helps to have a few tips for pleasing as many customers as possible. Check out our feature on the “Double-Sided Menu” for the latest menu strategy.
Also in this issue, get an update on the leading beverage trends. With lively fruit flavors in high demand, let Dole be your Fruit Solutions Partner in developing cutting edge cocktails and alcohol-free coolers. While we’re on the topic, put DOLE Chef-Ready Cut Pineapple Spears to work as either a speed-scratch appetizer or ready-made garnish.
And, don’t forget, there’s still time to take advantage of valuable purchase incentives on quality DOLE Foodservice Products!
Chris Lock
Vice President,
Foodservice & Industrial
Dole Food Company, Inc.
Stuart McAllister
Field Sales Director,
Foodservice
Dole Food Company, Inc.
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Dole Spearheads New Menu Ideas
As your Fruit Solutions Partner, Dole delivers ready-to-use, premium quality fruit products that fit today’s menu needs. Take the latest addition to the DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts® line: 2½" Pineapple Spears from ripe, juicy DOLE Tropical Gold® Pineapple. Developed with convenience and versatility in mind, use these consistently sized, one-ounce spears for a wide variety of applications in all menu and day parts.
For more information about DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts Pineapple Spears and to view the entire Chef-Ready Cuts line, visit www.dolefoodservice.com.
While on the site, you can access a DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts video product tutorial, and tap into the Dole recipe database to find innovative appetizers, sandwiches, salads, baked goods and desserts featuring DOLE Foodservice Frozen and Packaged Fruits.
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Recession Menu Strategy
With the economy still struggling to recover, many foodservice customers are still looking for value, while others look for indulgent menu options as one of the few splurges they can actually afford in these pinched budget times. According to Eric Giandelone, Foodservice Director for Mintel Menu Insights, the best prescription for success for restaurants under these circumstances is to offer options on both sides.
QSR Magazine calls this phenomenon the “Double-Sided Menu,” and puts the trend at the top of its Quick Serve trends for 2012. Giandelone notes a prime example: “A company like McDonald’s has really embraced this idea. You can order oatmeal or you can get the Big Breakfast. You have two sides of the menu. You have the better-for-you option, and you have the more indulgent option.”
QSR also points out more profit can be made on these more indulgent menu choices. So a little luxury can be a boon to the bottom line.
Recipe recommendations for the Dole Double-Sided Menu:
- Value
- Easy Aloha Chicken Wings
- Sweet Balsamic Fruit Salad
- Jerk Chicken with Pineapple
- Berry Sorbet
- Barbecued Chicken Pizza
- Pineapple Peach Palmer
- Luxury
- Baked Brie with Strawberry-Blueberry Sauce
- Fire-Grilled Pineapple Gorgonzola Salad
- Sake-Seared Tuna with Strawberry Salsa
- Ooey Gooey Baked Hawaiian
- Coconut and Mango Thai Pizza
- Black Forest Martini
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Fun and Excitement with Dole at Pizza Expo
Pizza operators across the nation trekked to Las Vegas, NV to attend the 2012 Pizza Expo (March 13-15) to learn about new products and new menu ideas. At the Dole booth, they were wowed with samples of Mango and Avocado Wasabi Pizza (see recipe page) and Banana and Saigon Cinnamon Spiced Pizza.
In addition, two loyal customers of Dole won a $100 American Express Gift Cheque during the annual daily drawing.
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Special Savings Through June 30th
Free Case Trial Offer
There are just a few weeks left to take advantage of a special trial offer from Dole. Just buy two cases and get the second case free – it’s a great opportunity to place your first order on most DOLE products.
This offer is good on FIRST orders of the following DOLE products:
- All Fruit Bowls® in 100% Fruit Juice
- All Fruit Crisps
- All Fruit Parfaits
- All Fresh Frozen Fruit varieties
- All Chef-Ready Cuts varieties
- All Shelf Stable Pouch Packs
- All Smoothie Starters®
Receive up to $500 on DOLE purchases
For our loyal foodservice customers, you can also earn $1 back (up to $500) on each case of DOLE product purchased from January 1 – June 30, 2012. To redeem, simply submit your distributor invoices with the Dole coupon.
Visit www.dolefoodservice.com/promo to download these coupons under the Promotions tab.
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Creative Beverage Opportunities
Summer is just around the corner, and it’s not too late to harness the popularity of non-alcoholic beverages to help boost drink sales. Thirsty customers will be looking for variety and a broad spectrum of choices throughout the day.
In the 2012 Restaurant Industry Forecast by the National Restaurant Association, chefs identified made-from-scratch, specialty and culinary-inspired beverages as the trends to follow.
This year’s “hot” beverage trends are:
- House-made soft drinks
- Specialty iced teas, such as Thai-style, Southern/sweet and flavored
- Gourmet or housemade lemonade
- Organic coffee
- Dairy-free milk, such as soy or rice
Dole offers a range of Fresh Frozen and Packaged Fruits along with a myriad of beverage recipes from aguas frescas to lemonades, smoothies and flavored teas. With Dole as your partner, non-alcoholic beverages can add value, appeal and profitability to your summer beverage menu.
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Minnesota School Wins Dole Fruit Flash Mob Video Contest
Filled with energy and fueled with fruit, students and staff of Epiphany Catholic School (Coon Rapids, Minnesota) kicked up their heels and rapped up cravings for DOLE Fruit Bowls® in 100% Juice. Captured on video, the lively, impromptu performance won the hearts of Dole judges who awarded the school the $1,000 grand prize, plus 360 DOLE Fruit Bowls in 100% Fruit Juice, in the first DOLE Fruit Flash Mob Video Contest.
The school’s lunchroom became a stage for the lunch ladies and a few dozen co-stars to lead an outstanding flash mob performance. Original lyrics – “I run a mile every day. I brush my teeth. I eat a good breakfast. I lay off the sweets. Apples, bananas, oranges and grapes. Peaches and pears and pineapple, too.” – had fellow students and staff on their feet, laughing and clapping and joining the rap.
Watch the Epiphany video and read about the five schools taking 1st and 2nd prizes at www.dolefoodservice.com/fruitflashmob. The success of the DOLE Fruit Flash Mob Video Contest reinforces the Dole program objective: to encourage students to make whole-some meal choices as part of a healthy lifestyle through a contemporary and fun performance.
Visit the Dole booth at the School Nutrition Association Annual National Conference (July 15-18, 2012 in Denver, CO) to pick up information and contest rules for the 2012 DOLE Fruit Flash Mob Video Contest.
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Ask Dole
As your Fruit Solutions Partner, Dole is introducing a new section in the newsletter where we answer your questions and address your concerns from operational issues to marketing tactics.
Q. We’re a small college and we’re planning to introduce smoothies in our new kiosk. What are the popular smoothie blends to offer?
A. Dole has already researched the most popular fruit flavor blends among smoothie enthusiasts, and offers a pre-cut, pre-mixed blend of these popular fruit flavors in their DOLE Smoothie Starters® line. The fruit blend flavors are: Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, and Mango Peach.
Q. Our sandwich shop offers basic sandwiches, and we’re looking for ways to expand our menu without increasing our food costs. What would you recommend?
A. Our Dole Corporate Chef recommends adding DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts to your order. DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts deliver prepped fruit, already sliced, diced and cubed for your convenience. Use this versatile product in fruit beverages, sauces and salsas, salads, and toppings. DOLE Chef-Ready Cuts styles include Pineapple Cubes, Diced Peaches, Mango Cubes, Diced Strawberries, Sliced Strawberries, Diced Apples, and Pineapple Spears.
Ask Dole questions at www.dolefoodservice.com/askdole. We’ll respond to you and share the answer with other operators in upcoming newsletters.
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Mango and Avocado Wasabi Pizza
Prep: 15 min. Makes: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (12-inch) pre-baked pizza crust
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon prepared wasabi paste
- ¼ cup thinly sliced cucumber
- ¾ to 1 cup Mango and Avocado Salsa (recipe below)
- Pickled ginger, for garnish
- Black and white sesame seeds, for garnish
METHOD
1. Combine sour cream and wasabi paste in small bowl; spread evenly over pre-baked pizza crust.
2. Layer cucumber slices on top of sour cream mixture; spread Mango and Avocado Salsa on top of cucumbers.
3. Garnish with pickled ginger and sesame seeds, if desired.
MANGO AND AVOCADO SALSA
Combine 2 cups DOLE® Chef-Ready Cuts Mango Cubes, partially thawed, ½ finely diced avocado, 2 tablespoons finely diced red bell pepper, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon finely diced chives, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons finely diced jalapeno, ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon wasabi powder. Mix until well blended. Makes about 3 cups.
Per Serving: 200 calories, 5g fat (1.5g saturated), 5mg cholesterol, 520mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g dietary fiber, 7g sugars), 6g protein, 6% VitaminA, 15% Vitamin C, 2% calcium, 10% Iron
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For online product training videos and innovative recipe ideas, visit www.dolefoodservice.com or call 1-800-723-9868.
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©2012. ™ & ® Dole Food Company, Inc.