US Foods Unveils Summer Scoop 2017 for the Discerning Diner
ROSEMONT, IL - With dietary restrictions, evolving principles, and ever-expanding taste preferences, US Foods has released its latest Summer Scoop™ 2017 to assist restaurants in appealing to increasingly diverse consumer palates. The release, entitled “It’s a Matter of Choice,” highlights 24 versatile options restaurateurs can bring to the table to captivate all diners, including 44 percent of adults who now say food restrictions, food allergies, or avoidance of certain ingredients dictate what they eat.
“From socially conscious consumers to the specialized diets of food tribes, it’s becoming harder for groups of diners to visit a restaurant and find something on the menu that appeals to each of them,” said Stacie Sopinka, Vice President of Product Development and Innovation, according to the press release. “Within a party of four, it’s not uncommon to find at least one diner who is gluten-free or vegetarian while the others want to explore bolder, trending flavor combinations. When restaurants can expand the choices they offer consumers with a few simple additions to their existing menu, they win.”
This new lineup comes with a delicious array of fresh produce, bringing the items to the center of the plate. Here are a few highlights the industry can look to for inspiration:
Spiral Cut Kohlrabi
A hearty, spiralized vegetable noodle, Kohlrabi has grown 1,165 percent on menus in the past four years. Light and neutral in taste, Kohlrabi can take on the distinct flavors of any unique dish as a pasta substitute or cold vegetable dish addition.
Riced Cauliflower
Full of vitamins and minerals, with major multi-use potential as a rice or starch substitute.
Battered Elote Corn Bites
A shareable appetizer or side dish inspired by authentic, Mexican street corn, Elotes has nearly doubled its presence on menus over the past four years. This product features charred corn kernels with lime, garlic, green onion, cilantro, chili, and smoked paprika mixed with a blend of five cheeses and fried to perfection in corn masa batter.
To look at the entirety of US Foods’ Summer Scoop 2017, click here.
As the buy-side continues to innovate and push fresh produce into the limelight, count on AndNowUKnow to report on the latest.
