U.S. Foodservice Helps Restaurants Grow With Fresh Produce and Healthy Menu Ideas

ROSEMONT, Ill., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Foodservice is helping its restaurant operator customers combine fresh seasonal produce with the latest trends in healthy eating to make this spring a season of business growth. Restaurant operators can visit foodsight™ (www.usfoodsight.com) and Beyond the Plate™ (www.beyondtheplate.com) to learn new ways to incorporate fresh, seasonal produce into their menu items through articles, recipes, interactive resources, and a chat room to connect with peers and consumers.

"Consumers and chefs love using produce in season—it's more flavorful and economical.  We work with suppliers to procure the best and freshest items in season, and monitor our supply chain from farm to final delivery to ensure the safety of all the produce we sell," said Pat Mulhern, president, Monarch Food Group, a division of U.S. Foodservice. "The foodsight™ and Beyond the Plate™ Web sites provide foodservice professionals with the information they need to maximize the menu potential of all their produce."  

Foodsight features information, including:

• How to Freshen Up Your Salads for More Sales:  Operators get the skinny on smart and savvy produce applications, to keep salad offerings fresh and flavorful.
• How to Create Better Burgers that Buck the Recession: Lettuces, veggies and even grilled fruits add panache and punch to burgers, boosting the profile and profit potential of America's favorite menu classic.
• How Operators everywhere are putting a fresh spin on produce: Three restaurant operators share their "best practices" on how to use Cross Valley Farms® fresh produce to create innovative, healthy menu offerings. A profile of the Towne Tavern in Ft. Mill, SC, shows how this popular local restaurant has built its name and business around its signature salads.
• Additional Products and Information: Latest market news, business tools and product info from Monarch® exclusive brands, plus monthly rebates to help with back of the house (BOH) cost controls.

Beyond the Plate is the U.S. Foodservice sponsored on-line, interactive resource center where foodies and professionals can learn about and discuss new products, marketplace trends and the art and enjoyment of good food. Visitors can look for the latest recipes and view "how to prepare" videos.

Visitors can read news on fruit beverages, how to get kids to eat more vegetables, and learn more about everything from super foods, the growing interest in Mediterranean foods, creating vegan and vegetarian menus, to identifying and choosing fresh produce in season. There is also a special "Ask the Chef" feature where visitors can get answers to their questions. The highlight this quarter will be the Top 10 Healthy Eating Trends.

For more information, healthy menu options or the latest foodservice trends, visit www.usfoodsight.com and www.beyondtheplate.com.

About U.S. Foodservice

U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice distributors, offering more than 43,000 national and signature brand items along with an array of services to its more than 250,000 customers. The company proudly employs 25,000 associates in more than 60 locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their expectations. As an industry leader, with access to resources beyond the ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, hotels, government entities and other eating establishments. To find out how U.S. Foodservice can be Your partner beyond the plate®, visit www.usfoodservice.com.

SOURCE U.S. Foodservice