Foodservice Solutions for Healthy Eating Resolutions

It’s no surprise that losing weight and improving diet top the list of New Year’s resolutions for so many people. Most of us could do better, and after the indulgence of the holiday season, we’re ready to try.

Increasing intake of vegetables or plant-based foods is usually the goal when it comes to improving our diets.

Outside of taste preferences, one of the reasons adults don’t eat more vegetables is that they take more time to prepare than less-healthy alternatives. 

Often times, we’re more likely to choose healthier options dining out than we are at the grocery store. If someone outside the home does the cooking—someone with the right tools, time, and talents to make plant-based foods look and taste good—it’s a lot easier to stick with our healthy eating resolutions.

Preparing fresh produce can be labor intensive in any kitchen, home or professional, but it is possible to meet the need for healthy menu items with commercial-grade tools for your kitchen staff. The following equipment and supply items were designed specifically to minimize labor while maximizing safety and hygiene in your fast-paced foodservice operation.

Prep

Sharp, quality knives are vital to supporting longer shelf life and attractive presentation of fresh produce. 

Mercer Culinary Millennia Colors Knives are easy for employees to use and also support food safety. 

The collection has color-coded handles for dedicated use applications such as produce, poultry, or meats, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Offered in blue, brown, green, purple, red, yellow, and white, the Millennia Cutlery line is also available in black.

 

Grippy™ Cutting Boards from TableCraft are sanitary and dishwasher safe with an integrated handle and corner grips to help hold the board in place. 

These polypropylene boards are also heat, chemical, and warp resistant. 

Sold separately in white, green, red, yellow, blue, and brown for color coding to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, they’re also offered in convenient multi-color variety packs of 4 or 6, in 18" x 12" and 15" x 20" sizes. 

Where there are knives, there should always be cut gloves to protect employees against cuts during prep. Mercer Culinary offers glove styles in a range of ANSI cut protection levels to suit the application. Levels 4 and up are typically recommended in foodservice, depending upon the application.

Mercer Millennia Colors Level A4 Cut Gloves offer an additional layer of cutting safety for kitchen staff. 

Made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene knit that provides excellent cut and abrasion resistance, these cut gloves also provide excellent dexterity and comfort for employees.

Heavier-duty cut gloves are also available. Each style is made to fit either the left or right-hand and is offered in 5 color-coded sizes for optimal performance and comfort. Made from FDA approved materials for safe direct food contact, all styles are washable and bleach safe. To see the complete Mercer Culinary selection of cut gloves, click here. 

A reliable knife sharpener helps keep knives working efficiently in addition to making them look shiny and new.

The Edlund Model 401 Electric Knife Sharpener restores knives to factory fresh condition while maintaining the integrity of the entire edge, tip to handle. 

A precision guidance system helps maintain a perfect edge to sharpen knives from 3/16" to cleaver blades and scalloped-edge bread knives.

For those customers who count the thick slice of beefsteak tomato or onion on their cheeseburger as eating healthier, the Edlund ARC XL Manual Fruit and Vegetable Slicer tackles the tough job of slicing super-sized onions, full heads of iceberg lettuce, large tomatoes, and more with ease.

The Compact Vegetable Prep Machine CA-21 by Sammic automates cutting jobs with high precision settings paired with cutter and discs engineered for quick and consistent cuts. 

Its compact size is perfect for smaller kitchens that need commercial-grade vegetable prep equipment for consistent production and efficiency in a smaller footprint.

Serve

The Pulito Collection by TableCraft makes healthy menu items even more appetizing. 

Its elegant white serving pieces contrast beautifully with vibrantly colored fresh fruits and vegetables. 

With the look of hand-thrown ceramic pieces paired with the easy care of melamine, this dishwasher safe collection features plates, platters, wide-rimmed and coupe bowls along with tabletop accessories.  

Merchandise

To serve time-strapped customers, offer healthy grab-and-go options with open-front display cases for quick and easy access to fresh, refrigerated foods. 

Structural Concepts’ Oasis Refrigerated Self-Service Case is available in 3', 4', 5', and 6' models that are easy to stock and keep cold grab-and-go options visible, organized, and safely chilled below 40°F.

 

What goals have you set to help keep your foodservice operation healthy this year? We’re looking forward to helping you achieve them. Contact us!