The “Summer Hunger Ends Here” Gallery Night presented by Delta Air Lines celebrated the talented local high school students throughout South Florida who are helping Feeding South Florida raise awareness of the ever-present issue of summer hunger. On Thursday, May 3rd, they hosted an evening of art and delicious food, and announced their “Summer Hunger Ends Here” Art Competition winners!

Our own Evy Little, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Source1 Purchasing (featured left photo above), was in attendance as SantaLuces High School was announced as the First place winner!

What a fun way to learn about our colleague’s local cultures and heritage.

For Pot Luck Thursday, we encouraged our team members to bring in a local dish from their home town or country.

Thank you Kerry Morrick for the German-American Bratwurst; Cecilia Ioannides for the Tzatziki dip and chips and Greek potatoes; Matrina Johnson for the Jamaican Patties and Rice and Bill Maher for the Irish Cheese and soda crackers!

I think just about everyone went for a second helping!

Many consumers are dining less and less at large chains and are instead opting to support independent local restaurants. Despite this shift, running a small restaurant comes with its own unique challenges. Keeping overhead at a manageable level can be difficult for these businesses. The unfortunate truth is that even the most popular restaurant in the neighborhood might still struggle to turn a profit. For that reason, signing with a purchasing partner might be a small restaurant’s best chance at success.

One area where many small restaurants struggle is sourcing inventory at reasonable prices. Because they are not able to make high-volume purchases, independent restaurants often end up paying a premium for their food and other hospitality supplies. Partnering with a Purchasing Services Organization (PSO) can help independent restaurants compete with larger chains in this area. Source1 Purchasing specializes negotiating the best pricing for restaurants, regardless of their size. By joining our purchasing group, a restaurant benefits from the combined buying power of every business in the group.

Often in small restaurants, staff members are required to wear many hats. Chefs often have to serve as purchasing managers. The time a chef spends managing suppliers would be better served managing their kitchen. Utilizing a purchasing partner is like adding an entire supply chain management team to your staff. Source1 Purchasing not only monitors and negotiates supplier pricing but can manage supplier service and quality standards as well. This frees up chefs and other key staff members to focus on creating a memorable dining experience for their customers.

Although independent restaurants may not have the same buying power as large chains, that does not mean they should settle for sub-par service. Aligning with a purchasing partner gives independent restaurants the same clout as their larger counterparts. As a member of a buying group, a business can count on receiving priority service from all their suppliers. Source1 Purchasing conducts thorough supplier evaluations to ensure that all suppliers provide consistent, reliable service.

Is your restaurant ready to benefit from the collective buying power and quality of service that comes with joining a PSO? Take the next steps towards a more stable supply chain and cost-effective purchasing. Contact Source1 Purchasing for a free supply chain analysis today. We are typically able to identify savings of 9% on your food and beverage products.

The Greek yogurt market has seen incredible growth in the past few years and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. People are drawn to Greek yogurt for its unique texture and health benefits. Like traditional yogurt, it is available in a wide variety of flavors as well as plain. The plain version is a popular addition to savory recipes like marinades, dips, and dressings. It’s no wonder this versatile product has become a staple in many consumers’ kitchens.

Greek yogurt is popular amongst health-conscious consumers because it’s low in carbohydrates, packed with probiotics, and rich in protein. Protein helps you stay full longer, which is one of the reasons why Greek yogurt is a common staple for dieters. And because it comes in a variety of flavors, it can serve as a healthy replacement for pastries and other sweets.

Perhaps the most appealing thing about Greek yogurt is its portability. Grab-and-go items are incredibly popular, especially amongst millennials. Hotels and other businesses in the hospitality industry are working to meet the increased demand for more portable food choices. Many have turned to the Greek yogurt trend as a way to offer their customers with a healthy, satisfying meal or snack that they can take with them as they go about their day.

Chobani was largely responsible for popularizing Greek yogurt in the United States. Today, the company continues to produce new variations of their popular product to meet the demands of the ever-growing culture of convenience. Some popular options include Greek yogurt-based smoothies and products made specifically for children. Based on their latest product releases, it’s clear that snacking is going to be the next big trend in the Greek yogurt market.

“As the No. 1-selling Greek Yogurt in the U.S., Chobani’s mission is to provide better food for more people by making affordable, nutritious, delicious yogurt with only natural ingredients. We’ve spent the last decade reshaping the dairy aisle and we continue to push the yogurt category forward with market-leading innovation.” -Alaynah  Tombridge, Corporate Affairs Manager at Chobani

To learn more about how Source1 Purchasing can help you secure preferred pricing from Chobani and quality suppliers, contact us today for your free supply chain analysis.

There are many factors to weigh when choosing suppliers for your hospitality business. Pricing and quality products are always a high priority, but what about their geographic location? Partnering with regional suppliers can benefit your business in many ways. In many cases, regional suppliers are able to provide higher quality service and value than their out-of-town competitors, making for a more stable supply chain for your business.

Working with regional suppliers can have a direct impact on customer experience. Strategic sourcing of regional food products ensures that your business receives the freshest supplies available. Farm to table initiatives are very popular with diners today, so supporting local growers is a great way to draw more guests into your restaurant. Chefs will benefit from building menus around seasonal local produce because they know they will be able to access items that have just been harvested. Shifting to a more local-centered menu will not only appeal to customers, it will ultimately allow restaurants to serve a higher quality product.

Decreasing the carbon footprint of your supply chain is a good way to help your company’s conservation efforts. Additionally, utilizing a supplier that is located close to your business will help you save on shipping costs. This alone can add up to huge savings over time. Aside from cost savings, local suppliers can help you create a more stable supply chain. Having a supplier that can deliver orders quickly can help safeguard your business from inventory shortages. The same goes for service providers. In the event of an equipment failure, it’s imperative that your service partners can respond to your call as soon as possible.

Working with regional suppliers has a positive impact on your community. Partnering with local businesses can make for deeper supplier relationships. This can make it possible to collaborate with your supplier in ways that go beyond just purchasing. For example, restaurants can partner with local beer, wine, or spirits company to create pairing menus. The two businesses can then cross-promote each other. Many customers, whether they are locals or visiting from out of town, are more likely to support your business if they feel like they’re receiving an authentic local experience.

Find out how Source1 Purchasing can help you with your regional supplier relationship management while saving you over 9% on the cost of your hospitality supplies. Request your free Market Basket today.

Thank you to JD Lineberger & Carlos Lopez for the wonderful grab and go breakfast samples. The Source1 Purchasing team learned a lot about about Grand Prairie’s meal options for a variety of industries from the hospitality industry all the way to the fitness enthusiast’s breakfast table.

Grand Prairie Foods, based in the heartland of America, encompasses the belief that anything can be accomplished with a little caress, innovation, and dedication. They roll up our sleeves, brush the flour off their hands and strive to prepare each product with wholesome goodness. They are proud of the multiple capabilities they can offer clients, including private labeling, food service, retail, gluten free products and more.

Representatives from Source1 Purchasing had a productive session with Greg Lemay, Regional Service Manager (featured in picture left) and David Correll, General Manager of Best Western Inn & Suites (featured in picture right) at the Best Western New England Roundtable in Maine. We are looking forward to the remaining sessions in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

With the Best Western Food & Beverage Marketplace, members benefit from a dedicated customer service team who provide:

• actual purchasing data that identifies savings of 7%-12%

• analytics and reporting that continually identify savings

• assistance in meeting corporate compliance and coordinating rebate reimbursements

No Cost to Participate. Easy to Enroll.

Visit the Best Western Food & Beverage Marketplace!

Or Call 877.755.7828.

 

 

Source1 Purchasing holds the number two spot for “All Client Purchasing,” including hotels, during the 2016 calendar year. This, in effect, means that Source1 Purchasing holds more total purchasing power than all but one of the feature purchasing companies.

Thank you Scott Harris, Founder & CEO and Charles Fyffe, Director of Sales at DeliverLean for sharing your fresh ingredients, expert guidance and “Grab and Go” samples with the Source1 Purchasing team!

Everyone had a wonderful meal, and we are all looking forward to educating our foodservice customers about these healthy and convenient food products.

Photo: Top Left – Scott Harris & Jason Blair, Director of Sales at Source1 Purchasing

 

DeliverLean is a healthy gourmet meal delivery service that simplifies customers lives by taking all the guesswork out of eating healthy. With four meal plans to choose from, including Classic, Paleo, Vegetarian and Vegan, all meals are made with the freshest ingredients and range from 300-500 calories each.

DeliverLean’s proprietary Choose Your Meals feature allows customers to build their own menu meal-by-meal, week-by-week with selections from all meal plans including a la carte deli salads, grain bowls and sandwiches, giving the customer ultimate flexibility to choose from over 100 different menu items weekly, for a completely customized approach. A team of world class chefs prepare dietitian-approved meals that are made fresh daily using only the highest quality produce, protein and premium local ingredients for delivery straight to customers’​ homes.

DeliverLean is committed to helping people lead happier, healthier, fuller lives – not just by delivering fresh, healthy food, but by being there every step of the way with nutritional guidance, expert advice and superb support.

There is a lot to consider when seeking out a new supplier. The right supplier will have more to offer than just competitive pricing. Even small details are a big deal in the hospitality industry, so every supplier, large or small, must be thoroughly vetted to ensure they meet your business’s quality standards. Here are four things to consider when evaluating a potential supplier:

Pricing

Pricing is a significant deciding factor when it comes to choosing a supplier. Securing preferred pricing status will ensure that you never overpay for your hospitality supplies. The lowest prices are typically offered to businesses that can place high volume orders or are part of a large chain. However, even if you own a restaurant or boutique hotel that can’t commit to that type of volume, there are still ways you can access preferred pricing. Identifying vendors that are part of a large purchasing network, like Source1 Purchasing, will give you access to deviated pricing and rebates that you typically would not be able to take advantage of on your own.

Quality Control

You know how important it is to work with suppliers with a solid reputation. However, even when working with a well-known supplier, it’s important to do your due-diligence and understand how they handle incidents related to their products. For example, ask potential food suppliers what their process is for executing recalls in the event of a salmonella outbreak or similar incident. They should be able to tell you how quickly they would be able to notify you that an affected product should be pulled from inventory.

Order Process

One item that is often overlooked when researching new suppliers is how orders are managed. With so much on their plate, Purchasing Managers need to streamline their ordering processes as much as possible. Whenever possible, work with suppliers that offer online portals or other tools that make ordering from them more efficient. Whenever possible, you should seek to work with suppliers that will give your company priority status. Customers with priority status typically get their orders expedited and can get order minimums waved when necessary. Being part of a large buying group can help you achieve this status even if your company doesn’t typically make high-volume purchases.

Versatility

Special consideration should be given to suppliers that are able to meet multiple needs. Limiting the number of suppliers you work with will typically save your company both time and money. Aligning with a purchasing partner like Source1 Purchasing can help you consolidate your current list of suppliers and streamline your ordering process. If you have suppliers that you already know and trust, Source1 Purchasing can manage their quality and service metrics and negotiate pricing on your behalf.

To learn more about how Source1 Purchasing can help you manage your supply chain while helping you save money, contact us for a free supply chain analysis. We are typically able to identify savings of 9% or more on all your hospitality supply needs.