Sustainability in restaurants and on menus is more than just a trend: it’s a movement shaping how diners approach purchasing decisions, according to foodservice distributor US Foods. The word “organic” appears on 23% of menus across the country, and use of the word “sustainable” on seafood menus has jumped 300% in the past decade. Additionally, adding organic items to the menu can help attract diners and allows operators to command higher prices.
With that in mind, US Foods has expanded its Serve Good program, launching 24 new items developed with suppliers committed to responsible practices across the areas of agriculture, animal care, responsible disposables, reduced waste and sustainable seafood.
New products include ravioli and pesto made with no artificial colors or flavors, ketchup sweetened with sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, sausage created from turkeys raised without antibiotics, cheesecake made with Fair Trade coconut, and muffins made with Rain Forest Alliance certified bananas.
US Foods is also offering foodservice operators a suite of business tools that are specifically designed to help them increase visibility, create menus that attract diners, reduce waste, and drive profits.
To date, the Serve Good portfolio includes more than 350 sustainable products. The company says its Serve Good portfolio is part of its commitment to “help independent restaurants succeed.”
