1. How Can Food Distributors Support Schools with Salad Bars?
Billi Grossman, R.D., L.D.
Sysco NM
Hi, My name is Billi Grossman. I work for Sysco NM, the largest food distributor in America. I want to talk for a few minutes about how a food distributor can support you in your efforts to serve salad bar at your school.

2. 186 Distribution Locations
Serving 400,000 Customers with 360,000 Products
1 International Food Group
17 Hotel Supply
33 Produce
20 SYGMA
97 Broadline
1 Asian
15 Meat
2 RDC
This is a published map of all the different sites that Sysco has distribution centers. In addition, there are many smaller distributors across the country. Some of these specialize in specific products such as meat or poultry. But the point is, that no matter where you are, there is a food distributor near you who can service your school.
One thing to note: Sysco NM delivers to most of the individual schools across NM and AZ. In a few cases, where the school may be out several miles of dirt road that is not passable in the winter for our big trucks, we will make arrangements with the school to deliver to the next nearest school and staff from the school will come and pick up the food.

3. Deliver Fresh Produce Weekly
Food Distributors can provide a variety of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables for breakfast, snack, lunch and salad bar needs
Most distributors have a # Case minimum, but this would include all categories of food and non-food
You may need to sign an agreement to purchase 80% of food to qualify for delivery
Food Distributors can provide a variety of fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables for breakfast, snack, lunch and salad bar needs. You can find just about any type of produce you might imagine.
In order to service your accoutn, your distributors may set a # Case minimum which would encompass your entire order, food and non-food.
Your distributor is going to want the bulk of your business if they are delivering to you each week. Because they can then forecast volume, they will work with the manufacturers to get you the best price possible and reduce out-of-stocks.
In choosing which distributor to which to commit your business, you will want to look, not only at price, but at the services they provide.

4. Quality Control & Traceability
Quality food distributors ensure that the food is handled with the highest food safety and HACCP standards
The food is stored and delivered in temperature controlled environment
Each food item is traceable from the packer (in many cases from the field) so if a recall occurs we know exactly where it came from
A qualified food distributor will have systems in place to ensure the highest quality and food safety. The food will be stored and delivered in a temperature controlled environment. The warehouse and trucks will be clean, inside and out.
In addition, in the unfortunate case of a recall, the food will be tracable. In our company, foods are tracable to the packer and in many cases we know exactly what field it came from. We monitor all trucks that come into our warehouse, corporate and independent, from the time they leave their origin for temperature every 15 minutes.
When you purchase from local grocery stores or big box stores, they have no tracability; no idea where that produce came from.

5. Seasonal Availability Information
Your food distributor can provide you with information about what is in season and/or available each week/month
Seasonal produce is usually less expensive than out-of-season items, so don’t be afraid to make menu substitutions
Frozen and canned items may also be appropriate and less expensive
You can save money by purchasing seasonal produce. Your sales representative will be able to inform you of what is available and in season. If plums are a really hot item at your school and you really want them on the salad bar in the middle of winter, you can use canned, frozen, or dried.

6. Use these to teach students about new and different foods.
Specialty Produce
Your food distributor will have a wide variety of produce including unusual and exotic items that you can use for your salad bar, fresh fruit and vegetable program, snacks and more
Use these to teach students about new and different foods.
They should have a variety of specialty items, too that you can use for your Fresh Fruit and Vegetable program and other “teaching moments” to give students exposure to new and different foods.

7. Further Processed Produce
Edamame beans
Canned beans
Baby corn
Diced, sliced, or wedged tomatoes
Carrot and celery sticks
Cantaloupe and honeydew melon chunks
Broccoli florets
Diced potatoes
Sliced mushrooms
Prewashed lettuce/salad mix
Many items can be purchased ready to be placed on the Salad Bar with little or no prep
The salad bar does not have to mean a lot of prep time. Many food items can be purchased already prepped and ready to be placed in crocks or pans. These are just a few examples, there are many more.

8. Equipment and Small wares
Steamers, ovens and other large equipment
Steam table pans
Sheet pans
Crocks
Spoodles, ladles, scoops
Long handled tongs
Juice machines
Squeeze bottles for condiments
Your food distributor will provide you with quotes, specs, and recommendations for equipment and small wares
You food distributor will also be able to assist you when you need equipment, whether it is a capital expense, such as ovens, steamers, etc or everyday smallware and appliances such as blenders, crocks, pans, utensils, etc.
Sometimes, equipment, such as juice machines, coffee urns, paper towel and napkin dispensers are available at little or no charge from the manufacturer in exchange for using that specific manufacturer’s product.

9. Technical & Operational Support
Your food distributor may assist you with technical and/or operational support
Menu ideas
Tray line Diagrams
Yields
Prepping Estimates
Recipes
Nutrition Facts Labels
Training
The food distributor may be able to assist you with menuing, recipes, and operational tools, and training. They will provide you with nutrition facts labels and CN labels as available for every product you purchase. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. There are many resources available through either the distributor or the manufacturers.

10. Questions?