California Avocado Commissions Details PMA Foodservice: Delivered Strategies and Takeaways
THE DIGITAL WORLD - At the beginning of 2020, no one could have predicted the twists and turns of this tumultuous year. For those of us within the industry, it's been a hard fight, but luckily, we have produce partners like the California Avocado Commission in our corner. I spoke with Jan DeLyser, Vice President of Marketing, to dig a bit more into how Produce Marketing Association's recent Foodservice: Delivered format helped CAC better deliver solutions for its partners.
"We came into this show with the goal of engaging in one-on-one chats with chain operators about the benefits of adding fresh California Avocados to the menu and how the California Avocado Commission offers menu promotion support and menu ideation sessions," Jan began. "We wanted to educate chain operators and supply chain folks about some of our key consumer research findings around the value of calling out California Avocados on the menu. Consumers want to see the source of origin, prefer domestically grown avocados, and like to see California Avocados on the menu. And you can bet they will pay more for them."
As the approach to reopening foodservice operations has entered the industry mainstream, I asked Jan how CAC has been supporting these operators.
"Given everything that foodservice operators have been dealing with this season, the California Avocado Commission's overall strategy has been to be flexible and creative with programs that help operators promote Fresh California Avocados," she explained to me. "At the show, we wanted to make sure supply chain members kept top-of-mind that California Avocados are still in peak season and there is still crop to support foodservice menu promotions. We work closely with our California Avocado handlers on timing, especially once the season starts drawing to a close."
CAC's chef demo actively celebrates California Avocados and their role in California cuisine and style. The association also has Tips Videos to help chain operators with the basics of handling as well as three storage methods to help with speed of service during rush times.
Resourcefulness has always been at the forefront of our industry, and leaders like CAC are proving this to be true time and time again. Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we cover all things related to produce.
