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How to Buy Top E&S Brands on a Budget

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Prices seem to be going up on everything, but the budget’s the budget, right? It’s easy to be tempted to invest in a lesser imitation to get by in the short term, but it’s not much of an investment if it needs to be replaced far sooner than it should. Wouldn’t it be great if you didn’t have to compromise quality for affordability? Sometimes you don’t. Check out these high-value options from some of the best brands in foodservice. Food Pans, Storage Containers, and Seal Covers by Cambro What they’re famous for: There’s a reason that the brand name Cambro is synonymous with food storage containers that last and last. Known for durability, visibility, and a tight seal that prolongs shelf life, Cambro Camwear food pans , storage containers , and seal covers are a staple for cold and ambient applications. They also do what metal can’t: prep, store, transport, and serve all in one pan. How to get these benefits for less: Like Camwear pans and food storage containers, Cambro Tran
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3 Steps to Stop Summer Heat from Endangering Food

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Hot weather has officially arrived! Great for summer fun, but not so great for summer food. Naturally, foodborne illness occurs most in the summer when outdoor dining and events are in full swing, and cold, refreshing foods are a menu staple. We all know about the importance of safe holding temperatures any time of year, but after months of cooler weather, most of us could use a refresher on how quickly hot summer weather can make good food turn bad. According to the USDA, bacteria grow fastest at temperatures from 90 to 110°F which makes summer weather the perfect breeding ground for food poisoning. Foodsafety.gov recommends no longer than a 1-hour period of food sitting outside without an active cold source. That hour goes fast. How can you make sure the food you serve is kept safe at all times? An active cold source, whether electric or nonelectric, is a best practice to follow every step of the way, starting at receiving. 1. Refrigerate right away. Process food deliverie
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Protecting Your Fresh Food Investment from Farm to Table

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Consumers ate a LOT of frozen food in 2020. According to Supermarket News , frozen food sales in 2020 were up 21% in dollars and 13.3% in units over 2019. Packaged food sales also got a big boost (up to 87.5% the week of March 15, 2020) as fresh food supply chains felt the strain of the pandemic. Now that we’re on the other side, we’ve gained a whole new appreciation of fresh food and connection to our local communities, which sets the table for farm-to-fork concepts to thrive like never before. Whether you feature just a few farm-to-table menu items or an entire menu that is locally sourced, consumers are hungry for fresh, nutritious, flavorful food that helps support the local economy. Unlike foods that are picked before they are ripe so they can travel up to thousands of miles before consumption, locally grown produce is picked at its peak ripeness. This practice ensures the most flavorful and nutritious product, which is a good thing, but it can impact shelf life. Here are a
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School’s In! FREE Virtual School Nutrition Conference June 16

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Congratulations to all our friends in school foodservice! You made it through a school year that can’t even be put into words. You’ve given so much of yourself, now it’s time to get something back!   As a way of saying thank you for everything you’ve given your students and community, Cambro has put together a special free, virtual event just for you. School’s In! is kicking off on June 16, at 10:00 AM Central time. Chock-full of entertaining and expert speakers, it’s an event you won’t want to miss. Here are the top 5 reasons why you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity: Get to experience Maureen G. Mulvaney’s keynote Let’s Create the New Normal . Maureen, also known as MGM, is the #1 rated school nutrition speaker, a top-rated motivational speaker, and best-selling author! Click here to learn more about Maureen and why you won’t want to miss her fun and inspiring presentation. Learn from industry experts about topics that impact your job success and satisfaction like com
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Catering 2021 Style: Wedding Reception Trends to Embrace

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After a year that postponed countless weddings, testing many marriages before they even began, weddings are finally back. Hooray! We looked to the experts at Catersource and Brides to get their take on catering and wedding trends nationwide as we all adapt to this new era. Traditions thankfully live on, but some of them look a little different, at least for now. According to the Catersource Wedding Forecast 2021 by Kathleen Stoehr and Brides’   50+ Pandemic Wedding Trends That Are Here to Stay for Good by Colleen Sullivan, the following are just a few of the pandemic trends that have emerged and are expected to continue: Smaller guest lists Elegantly plated and coursed meals with a higher cost per guest Greater formality with a focus on the guest experience Increase in outdoor venues Commitment to pandemic-era safety practices  Engaged couples will be looking for a caterer who can help them pull off a dream reception that is both safe and unforgettable for themselves and their cher
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Generating Additional Revenue with Grab-and-Go

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Now more than ever, busy consumers have a lot of catching up to do. With things to do, places to be, and people to see, they want and need the convenience of grab-and-go menu options. No matter what type of foodservice operation you run—convenience store, grocery, restaurant, K-12 school, university, healthcare facility, employee feeding, military installation, correctional facility, and beyond—grab-and-go menus present valuable business benefits that optimize staff and maximize revenue: Food is pre-prepped, pre-portioned, and pre-packaged during off-peak hours No plating, serving, or bussing Staff and tables are freed up for on-premise dining Expedites service with minimal interaction Provides convenient options for customers when the kitchen is closed Increases total sales  What should you look for when setting up your grab-and-go operation? Here are some key things to consider followed by a few of our favorite cold, hot, and mobile merchandising recommendations for grab-
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Short Cuts for Short-staffed Foodservice Operations

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Your team is moving as fast as they possibly can, but there still just aren’t enough hands on deck to keep up. You’re trying to recruit and retain staff, but the labor shortage isn’t helping. Sound familiar? The necessity of needing to do more with fewer people has long been the mother of invention in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. Reducing handling, expediting prep, cutting cook times, and simplifying processes can all help compensate for a shorthanded operation, so countless products have been developed to save time and money without compromising safety, service, or quality. Here are some recently-introduced innovations that are ready to come to the rescue. Reduce handling and improve safety of handling hot liquids with the new Cambro High Heat Measuring Cup . Made from heat-tolerant plastic, these cups can withstand temperatures up to 375°F (190°C) without compromising performance, making them safe for use in microwaves or ovens. The Universal Splatter-Proof C
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