From pancake toppings, pies, to salads, or even just in a bowl, fresh fruit is an all-time favorite and popular item in the culinary industry. With delicious, seasonal flavors, fresh fruit is a great healthy addition to any meal. But did you know that frozen fruit can offer the same great health benefits without compromising taste, especially in the foodservice industry?
Today the foodservice industry is facing serious challenges, like rising food costs, labor shortages, and supply chain pressures. Frozen fruits can serve as multi-use ingredients for foodservice operators, reduce spoilage for distributors and restaurant customers, and are labor-saving ingredients distributors should stock. Here are 7 reasons why foodservice distributors should stock frozen fruit.
While foodservice operators are looking for cost effective ingredients, they often aren’t willing to compromise quality. While the idea of fresh fruit straight from the grower can be delicious and appealing, it also presents challenges in the foodservice industry on an item with a short shelf life. Using frozen fruit captures fruit at peak ripeness, locking in the quality for a longer shelf life, giving both foodservice distributors and operators more flexibility, while still preserving taste and quality. Frozen fruit is usually flash frozen shortly after harvesting to preserve nutrients and quality. This process provides the consistency operators crave, always giving a high-quality product to customers, regardless of season.
Frozen Fruits Offer Consistency Foodservice Distributors Count On
Fresh fruit by nature is seasonal and subject to growing conditions and other external factors. By using frozen fruit, operators have more control over the sizing, taste, and availability. Operators aren’t tied to the local seasonality of fruit and therefore have a wider variety available, and more control of the product they use. The consistency allows better menu planning for foodservice operators and provides a reliable experience for consumers.
Frozen Fruits are Products that Reduce Spoilage for Restaurant Customers
Shelf life can be a big factor in profits for both foodservice distributors and foodservice operators. Frozen fruit typically lasts 6-12 months in the freezer, versus fresh fruit that typically has a shelf life of only a few weeks and is only at peak freshness for a few days. Because frozen fruit is flash frozen, you can expect the same quality blueberry on month 5 as you would at month one of receiving the product. The extended shelf life reduces food spoilage and loss from both foodservice distributors and foodservice operators, allowing a much longer period to turn products.
Frozen Fruits are Labor-Saving Ingredients Distributors Should Stock
In addition to saving money by reducing spoilage, foodservice operators can also save money using frozen fruit because it reduces labor costs. Frozen fruit is often pre-cut, pre-washed, and ready to use, reducing prep time, which is especially valuable in today’s labor-constrained market, making frozen fruit one of the labor-saving ingredients distributors should stock.
Why enjoy watermelon for only 3 months out of the year when it is grown all year long somewhere in the world? While fresh, local fruit is certainly nutritious and delicious; frozen fruit offers foodservice distributors and operators year-round availability. Consistent availability helps foodservice distributors better manage inventory and allow menu flexibility and consistency for foodservice operators.
Frozen Fruits are Multi-Use Ingredients for Foodservice Operators
Frozen fruits offer versatility to foodservice operators, making them high-rotation foodservice SKUs and profitable add-on items for distributors. In the foodservice industry, frozen fruits offer many use cases, from pie filling, to side dishes, to salad toppings, and more. Frozen Fruits can also be used in many specials, adding a seasonal variety to dishes. Because of the multi-use case, frozen fruits are often the go-to to add on an order and keep in stock, because they will almost certainly be used during the shelf life.
Frozen Fruits Help Distributors Grow Profitable Sales
While frozen fruits offer great value for foodservice operators, they are also a must-have item for foodservice distributors. Because of the variety of dishes they can be used in and operators’ dependency on having them available, frozen fruits are foodservice products that drive repeat orders. They are also high-margin foodservice products because of their shelf life and versatility.
Frozen fruit gives foodservice distributors an opportunity to deliver value beyond price — helping operators reduce waste, save labor, maintain consistency, and expand menu flexibility year-round.
Whether your customers need smoothie ingredients, dessert components, or versatile back-of-house staples, frozen fruit remains a reliable, profitable category worth stocking.
Honor Foods offers a wide selection of bulk frozen fruit solutions designed for foodservice distribution.
Turn frozen fruit into a high-margin menu solution for your customers.
Contact Honor Foods today to learn how frozen fruit can help grow your foodservice business.
Honor Foods, a Burris Logistics Company, was founded in 1949 as a pick-up only, broadline redistributor. Since then, Honor Foods has grown into the Mid-Atlantic region’s premier provider of frozen, refrigerated, dry, protein, and dairy products, representing
more than 800 brand-name food suppliers and carrying more than 7,000 in-stock items. Honor Foods brands R.W. Zant and Sunny Morning provide additional protein and dairy expertise on the West Coast and in the Southeast. In addition, our exclusive house brands — Colony Lane,Valley Fresh, Sommer Maid, and Sunny Morning have a well-earned reputation for top quality and value at competitive prices.
Great products and prices are just part of the Honor Foods value-add. We pride ourselves in having a Team of dedicated professionals who manage each partnership. Our commitment to your business needs is what makes us unique.
