Seasonal Menu Planning: How To Leverage Fresh Produce from Wholesale Suppliers

Seasonal menus are exciting options for customers and restaurants alike! Cooking with seasonal produce lets chefs experiment with fresh flavors to create innovative dishes. From a diner standpoint, rotating menus are compelling and keep patrons coming back to seasonally imaginative dishes.

To take advantage of the seasonal menu craze and increase customer flow, work with your local wholesale supplier to get fresh ingredients and craft stunning recipes.

3 Reasons to Get Seasonal Produce from Your Local Wholesale Food Suppliers

Check out these three reasons to work with your current restaurant supplier to maximize your seasonal produce and minimize expenses.

1. High-Quality Product Variety and Availability 

First and foremost, restaurant food suppliers provide a wealth of fresh, exceptional products that can enhance any seasonal menu. Wholesale food suppliers work with established farms to procure trendy, specialty ingredients that may be difficult to find elsewhere. Adding sought-after items to your seasonal menus means you can draw in a crowd searching for one-of-a-kind, quality food experiences.

2. One-Stop Shopping

Fresh, seasonal produce is just one of the many products available at your restaurant food and supply store. From meat and seafood to dairy, dry goods, and more, wholesale grocery stores give chefs and owners the ability to get exceptional items under one roof, which saves time and money.

3. Bulk Cost Savings

Speaking of saving money, wholesale grocery warehouses promise fresh ingredients and provide cost-effective products. Bulk suppliers can negotiate better prices for top-notch products and pass the savings (and quality) on to you. Wholesalers prioritize choiceness and have strict quality control and storage measures. Restaurants reap the benefits of bulk pricing and can rest assured that all the ingredients are at the peak of freshness.

Tips for Seasonal Menu Planning 

If you are new to seasonal menu development, follow these tips to ensure you are reaping the best benefits from your restaurant food supplier’s products.

Match Ingredients with their Season

Researching the seasonality of produce in your area is the most essential step in designing a seasonal menu. Your food supplier can be an excellent resource for recommending the freshest ingredients that align with the seasons.

Plan Your Menus Ahead of Time 

While seasonal ingredients have a time limit, that doesn’t mean you need to create your menu on the fly. Look at your existing proteins and staple ingredients and plan to bring in flavors that speak to the upcoming season. For example, produce like hearty greens, hard-skinned squash, and savory herbs are often associated with fall and winter.

Build a menu template that incorporates classic items. However, be prepared to adjust specific ingredients based on market availability. If you are working on a winter squash ravioli, allow yourself flexibility in switching up the filling. One week could be butternut squash; another could be pumpkin.

Have Fun

Seasonal menus should have a bit of whimsy and experimentation to create buzz. Encourage your team to embrace innovation and try out new recipes that showcase the specialty qualities of seasonal produce.

Enjoy Garden Fresh Bulk Vegetables and Fruit from US Foods CHEF’STORE 

Create unforgettable seasonal meals with fresh products from CHEF'STORE. Whether you are looking for vine-ripe tomatoes in the summer or crisp apples in the fall, our produce section has everything you crave and more!

Contact us or stop by one of our nearby locations to experience all we offer.