Sat.Dec 09, 2023 - Fri.Dec 15, 2023

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Navigating the surge to offer an enhanced customer experience

Restobiz

By Peter Dougherty In an ever-evolving industry, restaurant operators are continually seeking innovative ways to increase revenue and elevate the overall guest experience. Traditionally, surge pricing has been considered a strategy to manage demand during peak hours. However, in recent years, guests have become more conscious about spending and surge pricing has become unpopular with […] The post Navigating the surge to offer an enhanced customer experience appeared first on Restobiz.

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Top 15 K-12 food service stories of 2023

Food Management

The year’s top K-12 stories tracked how school nutrition programs and providers tackled issues like labor shortages and product availability to keep kids fed with nutritious meals.

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FDA Head – Applesauce purposefully contaminated with lead

Bill Marler

At least 125 children impacted. According to reporting in Politico, Tainted cinnamon applesauce pouches that have sickened scores of children in the U.S. may have been purposefully contaminated with lead, according to FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones. “We’re still in the midst of our investigation. But so far all of the signals we’re getting lead to an intentional act on the part of someone in the supply chain and we’re trying to sort of figure that out,” Jones said in an excl

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Exploring the Factors Behind the Surge in Restaurant Automation

Modern Restaurant Management

If you've been paying attention to the tech scene, you have surely noticed a significant upswing in interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. It seems almost everyone, from social media influencers to evening news anchors, is extolling the capabilities of this emerging tech. From softwares like ChatGPT to self-driving cars like the Tesla Model 3, AI and automation are making remarkable strides In the restaurant industry, these solutions are streamlining various aspects, includ

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What’s trending with QSRs

Restobiz

These days, competition is fierce as QSRs compete with takeout and delivery, convenience stores, gas stations, and most recently, grocery stores. Some QSRs are taking steps to simplify service with kiosks and faster drive-thrus, connecting with customers by going greener, or delivering seasonal LTOs to get guests coming in. With so many options for diners […] The post What’s trending with QSRs appeared first on Restobiz.

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University of Vermont Dining supports local producers, reduces waste

Food Management

Sodexo managed program contributes to school being ranked #16 on the 2023 Princeton Review Top 50 Green Colleges list.

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How to Maintain and Monitor a Restaurant Inventory Spreadsheet

Sculpture Hospitality

Managing inventory is a crucial aspect of running a successful restaurant business. An efficient and well-organized inventory strategy can help you control costs, reduce waste, and ensure that you have the right ingredients on hand to meet customer demand.

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Elevating Diners’ Experience and Restaurant Revenues During the Holidays

Modern Restaurant Management

One of the most exciting parts of watching Olympic swimmers race is seeing the “underdogs” come from behind and win. Knowing they have one last chance, these athletes harness every bit of their strength, move steadily to the front of the pack, and finish first in a dramatic moment. The holidays are restaurants’ version of the Olympics; these final weeks are their last chance to surge forward.

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5 things: UC Berkeley commits to 50% plant-based dining by 2027

Food Management

This and Aramark CFO Tom Ondrof announcing his retirement are some of the stories you may have missed recently.

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Marler Clark files Salmonella Cantaloupe Lawsuit

Bill Marler

United States Outbreak More patients have been identified in the Salmonella outbreak traced to cantaloupe. The outbreak is now spread across 42 states. Since the most recent update, on Dec. 7, another 72 patients have been confirmed, bringing the total number of sick people to 302. Of 263 people interviewed so far, half have been hospitalized. Four people have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Fresh Express recalls bagged spinach after state testing shows Listeria contamination

Food Safety News

Fresh Express has issued a recall of a Fresh Express Spinach, 8-ounce size, with product code G332 and use-by date of Dec. 15 and Publix Spinach, 9-ounce size, with product code G332 and a use-by date of Dec. 14 because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The two recalled spinach items were distributed to retailers in seven states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

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Preparing for the Unknown: Restaurant Crisis Management Made Easy

Modern Restaurant Management

The restaurant industry has confronted substantial challenges in recent years, primarily due to the global pandemic's initial impact. This crisis brought about labor shortages, disruptions in the supply chain, and inflation, all of which placed significant financial burdens on most restaurant owners. Nevertheless, amid these hardships, restaurant owners and operators exhibited remarkable resilience by rapidly adapting and innovating to not only salvage their business but also protect their r

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This SoCal school district is taking farm-to-school seriously

Food Management

Upland Unified School District students eat local produce in the cafeteria, taste specialty produce in class, participate in mini farmers’ markets and more through a partnership with a local farm hub.

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Sleepless in Seattle – while its lunchtime in Dubai

Bill Marler

I may be exactly 12 hour behind, but I had the great privilege to share the stage – at least via Zoom with Darin Detwiler and Frank Yiannas. We talked a bit about the documentary “Poisoned,” but mostly focused on what more can be done to make our food supply safer. Well, I’m heading to bed as Darin and Frank have lunch – as safe one I’m sure.

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The avian flu virus is rapidly spreading through commercial flocks in the U.S.

Food Safety News

The Avian influenza summer break is not only over, it has been smashed. In the past 30 days, the virus has spread to 106 commercial flocks in 23 states. And California is the latest to report outbreaks —in two broiler operations in Stanislaus County and an egg-laying business in Sonoma County. The numbers depopulated are huge—270,000 at the Sonoma egg-laying operation and 239,900 and 254,400 birds at the two Stanislaus broiler operations.

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One Fair Wage Makes Progress In Bay State Battle To Increase Minimum Wage 

Total Food Service

The tip credit issue has long been a contentious topic within the restaurant industry in the United States. It refers to the practice of using employees’ tips to offset the minimum wage that employers are legally required to pay. While this system has its proponents and opponents, the issue remains of utmost importance for restaurant owners across the nation.

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5 tech things: NFL stadium opens two Verizon 5G “On the Fly” cashierless shops

Food Management

This and McDonald’s looking to deploy Google Cloud to advance its unit-level technology are some of the tech-related developments you may have missed recently.

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How a possible Senate bid and my daughter’s name are linked

Bill Marler

It was April 1999 and I had started Marler Clark just a year before. However, I still had the political bug (I had been elected in 1977, at 19, as the first and youngest elected official in the state of Washington and perhaps in the U.S), that I was being asked to explore a run against a sitting senator. I did several trips to D.C. and decided to tour the state to see if people were interested in a 40 something foodborne illnesses lawyer as a possible senator.

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Consumer complaints lead to recall of more than 13 tons of TGI Fridays chicken bites

Food Safety News

Simmons Prepared Foods Inc. of Van Buren, AR, is recalling 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays boneless chicken bites products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of clear, hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ freezers.

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How Hygiene Can Bolster Restaurant Performance and Satisfaction

Modern Restaurant Management

Across the restaurant industry, it’s no secret that expectations for service, sustainability, and satisfaction are higher than ever. Restaurants are confronted with providing the best experiences possible, all while maintaining optimal revenue and efficiency. Making your restaurant more organized can take a variety of forms, but one place to start is your hygiene workflow.

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5 things: House passes bill allowing whole milk in schools

Food Management

This and a new cafe at Texas Tech that employs individuals with autism are some of the stories you may have missed recently.

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FDA in reorganization mode

Bill Marler

This just fell into my inbox: I’m reaching out to provide an update on FDA’s proposal to unify the Human Foods Program (HFP). The proposed reorganization package is now under review at HHS, which begins the formal external review process. The FDA’s proposed reorganization package includes new updates that not only shift how the agency’s food and field work is conducted, but also impacts a number of additional FDA offices outside of these programs.

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Patient count nears 300 in outbreak linked to North Carolina sushi restaurant

Food Safety News

There are now 241 complaints from patrons of a sushi restaurant in Raleigh, NC, about foodborne illnesses. The complaints against Sushi Nine began Nov. 28, according to local health department officials. The suspected pathogen is norovirus, with at least three restaurant customers testing positive. The number of sick people is growing quickly with 100 more reporting becoming sick since the previous update on Dec, 9.

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LTI Partners with The Hansen Group to Deliver Innovative Solutions

LTI, Inc.

Jonesboro, GA – December 15, 2023 –LTI, Inc., a leading manufacturer and designer of modular and custom serving counters, fabrication, and advanced serving technologies, proudly announces its newest partnership with The Hansen Group. The Hansen Group will serve as a manufacturers’ representative in the MAFSI Region 14, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.

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Quest partners with urban farm to sample fresh food with students

Food Management

Quest Food Management Services and Sola Gratia Farm launch partnership to bring fresh produce to the lunchroom.

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Washington Post reports that as many as 118 children are confirmed or suspected lead poisoning cases linked to applesauce

Bill Marler

According to The Washington Post , Dozens of other children around the country are believed to have been poisoned. A Washington Post investigation has found the number of children affected is likely higher than official counts. As of Dec. 5, the FDA said it has received reports of 64 children under age 6 who have suffered “adverse events” linked to the tainted cinnamon applesauce pouches.

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FDA releases retailer lists for stone fruit linked to deadly Listeria outbreak

Food Safety News

Retailer lists are now available for peaches, nectarines and plums linked to a Listeria outbreak that has killed one person and sickened others. Samples from sick people were collected from Aug. 22, 2018, to Aug. 16, this year. The outbreak is considered ongoing by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sick people are spread across seven states and all of them have required hospitalization.

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40-Year Industry Professional to Retire

Foodservice Equipment Reports

Jack McDonald, currently Crown Verity’s executive director of sales, will retire from his post effective Jan. 1, 2024. For five years, McDonald has been a leader for the Brantford, Ontario-based manufacturer of grills, sinks and heaters. He brought decades of industry knowledge to his role, says the company, and helped shape its growing sales team.

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Chartwells K12 Unveils Top Ten Food Trends for Kids in 2024

Food Management

Company's school chefs and dietitians share their insights on what kids want to see on the menu.

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As many as 125 children poisoned by lead in applesauce

Bill Marler

FDA is conducting an onsite inspection at the Austrofoods facility located in Ecuador. Cinnamon samples collected from the lots used in recalled products will undergo laboratory analysis. FDA will update this advisory to share the sample results once the analysis is complete. To date, the FDA has worked with Ecuadorian authorities to gather information about Negasmart, the supplier of cinnamon to Austrofoods, including whether the cinnamon in the recalled products was used in other products exp

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Anthrax outbreak in Zambia sickens hundreds

Food Safety News

Zambia has reported its largest anthrax outbreak for a decade, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As of late November 2023, 684 suspected cases and four deaths have been recorded. A large-scale outbreak occurred in 2011 with 511 suspected cases. Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It does not typically spread from person to person.