produce

bacteria causes food recalls

What Causes Food Recalls?

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Everyone relies on safe, quality food to serve their families, restaurant guests, hospital patients, school children, and anyone else without fear of contamination or expiration. Bad quality food isn’t just unpleasant to consume, but when seriously compromised, may lead to food poisoning, lawsuits, or both.  

In an attempt to protect the public health of Americans, food recalls are issued. If you are in the food service industry or just a concerned consumer, it’s important to stay informed on how food recalls work; what they are, what causes them, and how to shop smart.

What is a Food Recall?

A food recall occurs whenever a food producer removes the product from eligible sales at grocery stores or wholesale food service providers. The produce or processed food item is pulled off the market for a serious reason. The reasons vary but stem from evidence leading producers to believe their food items are compromised in some way that would lead to negative health effects on consumers. 

Some common reasons for a food recall include:

  • Identifying bacteria or parasites
  • Discovering broken glass, metal, or other foreign objects 
  • Finding any allergen not listed on product labeling
  • Misbranded or mislabeled

Paying close attention to food recalls protects the public from serious outbreaks of E. Coli, Salmonella, or anything else that could result in detrimental consequences. For example, more than 28,000 pounds of beef were recalled at the beginning of 2022. This type of recall has the potential to affect countless individuals who unknowingly consume contaminated meat.

How to Manage Food Recalls

Managing a food recall starts by staying informed with the latest information regarding foods being pulled from the shelves. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration provides a search index with over a thousand food items currently on the recall list. You can also sign up for alerts and check their website for current information. 

Remove and clean area — If your home or place of food service business has a recalled item, you need to clear the item from your refrigerator, freezer, or pantry right away. If you’ve opened and used utensils on the product (e.g. contaminated ground beef), you need to throw out the recalled food item, and thoroughly clean with a sanitizing solution and hot, soapy water anything in contact with the recalled food item. Clean all counters, cookware, cutting boards, refrigerator shelves, or anything else to ensure the removal of any harmful residue from the food.

Return and inform others — Some stores accept returns for recalled food items. You should also inform your team members and anyone else you work with that may have received or handled the recalled items in any way. 

Food recalls are important alerts to protect the public health of our families and society. There are many different reasons they develop. However, you can make an effort to stay informed and take action when you discover a recalled food item in your home or place of business. Prevention is better than managing the severe consequences that come when it’s too late.

Peddler’s Son is Arizona’s Top-Quality Food Supplier

Peddler’s Son is the go-to farm-fresh food supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. 

We believe in quality and that’s what you’ll get when you rely on us to deliver high-value foods for your dishes. We put our food quality and reliable delivery service first along with the customers we serve all across the state. 

Want to get reliable quality fresh foods for your restaurant, school, or business? We can help! Contact us today to see how we can help you get the food you need to be delivered fresh and on time!

What Causes Food Recalls? Read More »

Food Waste

Here’s How You Can Reduce Food Waste

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Saving money and raising profitability is a high priority for anyone running a business. Especially when you are working primarily with perishable items, as with managing a restaurant, school cafeteria, or hospital. While there are always creative ways to cut costs and save money, there’s one major way this is accomplished within the food industry.

Reduce your food waste. The less food goes to waste, the better it is for everyone. Profits increase when food waste is minimized. Minimizing the amount of food that goes bad, landing itself a first-class ticket to the trash takes its toll on your profitability. 

Since 1988, Peddler’s Son has been a trusted partner in wholesale delivery. Through excellent customer service and attention to detail, we are dedicated to delivering quality food on a reliable schedule. The root of our business is food service expertise and building deep relationships with customers. Read on to start making new changes to reduce food waste and increase your bottom line.

Major Causes of Food Waste 

To really examine the areas requiring improvement, it helps to breakdown the most common ways food gets wasted. Not only will we be listing these causes, but also offering you some expert money-saving tips.

Although large amounts of food often gets wasted when customers don’t order those particular items, there are more reasons for expired or spoiled foods. Food can go bad or be wasted when:

  • There has been cross contamination
  • Falling on the floor in the kitchen or from the serving tray
  • Damaged by faulty equipment, such as a refrigerator that stops working
  • Stocking food items where they’re not easily found, resulting in unnecessary duplicate orders 
  • Over-ordering; greatly miscalculating what you need
  • Unorganized and inefficient food inventory procedures
  • Inconsistent portion sizes
  • Food sent back to the kitchen after being delivered to the table

Expert Tips for Cutting Back on Food Waste 

Consider making some of the following changes to better position your food service business to reduce food waste and increase profits.

Use Technology to Better Track Food Inventory Needs – Tech systems are popping up all over the place to help restaurants track and optimize their inventory systems. You’ll better see what is selling the most and what trends you experience that streamline your inventory management process. You can stop overbuying and ordering already stocked items that are misplaced or forgotten. 

Cultivate a Work Culture Valuing Food Waste Reduction – Get everyone on board by training and exemplifying the value you place on reducing food waste. When it’s a strong part of company culture, your whole team is on board with your vision and may have helpful suggestions to consider for helping to make this possible.

Regularly recycle and use spoiled food for compost – Recycling food through partnering with a local farm to feed their livestock is a great way to give back. Also,  composting food scraps, used coffee grounds, old bread, and broken eggshells can help your own garden or be donated to local community gardens.

Properly inspect food upon delivery – It’s important to identify foods that are already in bad shape upon delivery before accepting the order. Working with food suppliers that follow proper food safety guidelines and quality standards is a must!

Peddler’s Son is Arizona’s Top-Quality Food Supplier

Peddler’s Son is the go-to farm-fresh food supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. We believe in quality and that’s what you’ll get when you rely on us to deliver high-value foods for your dishes. We put our food quality and reliable delivery service first along with the customers we serve all across the state. 

Want to get reliable quality fresh foods for your school or business? We can help! Contact us today to see how we can help you get the food you need delivered fresh and on-time!

Here’s How You Can Reduce Food Waste Read More »

Receiving Produce

What You Need to Do When Receiving Produce

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Food deliveries supply restaurants with what they need to keep operating smoothly. Menus may change or the trends of what’s being ordered can fluctuate for various reasons and receiving produce impacts operations. All these changes contribute to the food list ordered and anticipated for delivery. 

So, what do restaurants, schools, hospitals, and other nutritional service providers need to know about receiving their orders? This blog will go into detail about what everyone needs to know when receiving their food orders to ensure a seamless transition between the food delivery trucks and the final food service to those you serve.

Receiving Produce and Other Food Items From Your Distributor

Take note. Here are the most important things all food distributor recipients should know when accepting an order. 

Inspect Food Upon Receiving – To maintain the highest quality food products, a facility must properly inspect food items before receiving them. Should any items be wrong, missing, or damaged, it is your responsibility to raise awareness to your food supplier immediately with the necessary corrections. 

You’ll also want to double-check requested food items before submitting an order, to prevent mistakes.

When to reject a food item -There are many reasons you’ll want to reject a food item from your supplier. For example, food packages should be rejected anytime they contain tears, holes, or punctures. Frozen foods that are not completely frozen are also not worth accepting. Perhaps instead they are partially frozen or have re-frozen crystals on them, reducing their quality and freshness. Reject damaged can products that have rust or severe dents along with items with broken seals, leaking, or signs of pest damage or infestation.

Have your receiving area prepared and ready— On the day your food order arrives do you have enough space to store your cold items? Is your area in need of cleaning? It’s best to have these important factors lined up before taking in large quantities of food. Lacking capacity could compromise the freshness and quality of the fruits and vegetables received.

Many facilities prep ahead of time by throwing out expired items and cleaning the area in preparation for food deliveries. Having a clean and sanitized food storage area keeps the quality of food received fresh and valuable to the customers. 

Maintain Good Team Communication — Anyone responsible for receiving delivery of food orders should be on the same page with regard to health and hygiene. Having a standard receiving procedure that everyone follows, helps keep consistency in what is expected from everyone to uphold the quality of food received and its health in delivery to the customer. 

Good team communication also helps avoid misunderstandings on food inventory.

Choosing an Approved Food Supplier for Regular Deliveries

In order for food to be considered safe, it should be obtained from an approved food supplier. An approved food supplier is one that meets all local, state, and federal laws. Approved food sources must abide by proper food safety practices along with all steps of the food supply chain. It is important to have a food supplier you can trust with timely deliveries and quality food items.

Peddler’s Son Delivers Produce and Much More

Peddler’s Son is the go-to farm-fresh food supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. 
We believe in quality and that’s what you’ll get when you rely on us to deliver high-value foods for your dishes. Want to have quality fresh foods arrive on schedule? We can help! Contact us today to receive your portal login and get started!

What You Need to Do When Receiving Produce Read More »

Receiving Produce

Blueberries Treat Depression And 3 Other Major Health Problems

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The next time you walk past the blueberries at the grocery store; stop yourself and consider the benefits they offer for their price. The fact is, food is medicine and when you opt for the right ones, you can avoid premature disease; prolonging your health span. That alone is worth every penny at the grocery store. Long-term health is an investment and every purchase either adds to your investment or takes away from it.

Blueberries are just one of the many mother-nature prescribed treatments to keep us looking and feeling our best.  So, why not take advantage of it? If the recent pandemic taught us anything, it is how important preventive treatment is by investing in nutritional health and wellbeing. There is no better way to fight for your health and longevity than with the food choices you make every day. 

In this blog, we’ll look at why blueberries are an optimal superfood and what major health problems they help treat.

How Blueberries Help Improve Your Health and Wellbeing

Helps Fight Depression and Poor Mental Health – Beat the blues with this blue food. According to the Psychiatric Times, blueberries are the number one superfood used to alleviate the symptoms of depression. The reason is linked to its powerful effect on the brain. Blueberries trigger neurological responses in the brain. Because of this, they’ve been shown to significantly improve mood and cognition. 

Stronger, healthier bones – Our bones are alive and require certain foods to stay in optimal shape for a lifetime of use. Blueberries are a rich source of iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and vitamin K. Bones require these vitamins and minerals to maintain long-term strength. 

Anti-aging – Healthy skin texture relies heavily on vitamin C for collagen production. Skin damage due to over-exposure to harmful UV rays, pollution, and stress weakens the skin’s defense when lacking proper nutrition to counter its negative effects. Blueberries are a perfect way to keep the skin looking healthy and young. It is an easy way to treat any skin issues from the inside. 

Prevents Heart Disease – What exactly is heart disease? This major health problem is caused by high levels of homocysteine in the body. What causes high amounts of homocysteine? When your diet lacks folate (aka folic acid), vitamin B6, and B12. However, blueberries are high in folate and B-vitamins along with fiber which helps remove the buildup of cholesterol. Do your heart a favor and buy the blueberries and skip the junk food.

Blueberries: Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

The amazing thing about eating blueberries and other known superfoods is that it helps both your mind and body feel its best. You can pop one in and instantly do your mind and body a favor. It’s a great way to give yourself what you need and take a proactive role in improving your overall physical and mental health. Making small health changes in your diet is the best way to set yourself up for success in your health while enjoying the natural energy and vibrancy that comes with eating clean.

Peddler’s Son Delivers Blueberries & So Much More

Peddler’s Son is the go-to farm-fresh food supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. We believe in quality and that’s what you’ll get when you rely on us to deliver high-value foods for your dishes. Want to add blueberries to your menu? We can help! Contact us today to receive your portal login and get started!

Blueberries Treat Depression And 3 Other Major Health Problems Read More »

global agriculture

Current Events and Their Effect on Global Agriculture

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Historically, we have witnessed many shortages and surpluses in Global Agriculture over time as a result of current events. We’ve seen shortages due to increased demand, and surpluses as a result of decreased demand. One example that we’ve all witnessed recently is the effect of COVID-19 on toiletries and how major demand caused a massive shortage of supplies. Read our blog post below to learn more about how current events affect global agriculture in terms of food supply and agricultural production. 

What are Sanctions and how do They Affect Global Agriculture? 

To understand how sanctions affect global supply, we need to first understand how imports and exports work. Imports and exports relate to the business activity of selling goods between countries. When a sanction, or ban, is placed on a country, usually as a tool responding to foreign policy changes, it causes a shift in supply. A sanction is a withdrawal of customary trade and financial relations for foreign- and security-policy purposes. As a result of this, a country that is a known producer of a good, say fertilizer, might be unable to conduct trade. This causes buyers (other countries in this instance) to look elsewhere to obtain fertilizer. This could mean that the buying country will face a change in price due to differences in distance, transportation capabilities, or increasing demand for goods as they are competing with other buyers or countries. 

On the other hand, countries that do not have imposed sanctions and are active in free trade could be affected by low production and their buyers will have to go elsewhere. For example, Ukraine is a large producer of fertilizer, wheat, and corn. Since they are dealing with a major crisis, they are not able to produce the same yields as in prior years, causing buyers to have to source from elsewhere and increasing prices on these goods due to less available supply. 

The Future of Food Prices 

As with any global conflict we’ve seen in history, there is typically an effect on global agriculture and a period of economic inflation following the event. During World War I, personal savings increased significantly and were spent soon after the war ended. This was due to rationing common food items and necessities such as meat, coffee, butter, and shoes, so there was less spending. This change in global agriculture then caused an influx of cash into the economy. After the end of World War II, when the caps were lifted in 1946, prices climbed significantly. For example, food prices alone rose 13.8 percent in July after food price controls expired on June 30th.

We see the domino effect of inflation taking place in the current economy which, in turn, increases the prices of goods and services. Looking at food specifically, inflation is increasing because of global events which have affected grocery and dining out prices. The USDA’s Economic Research Service updated its March report predicting a 4.5%-5% rise in food prices this year. This is largely due to the increased costs for farmers to grow and produce crops, transport them, and keep up with growing demand. We can expect to see an upward trend in the coming months as consumers, so paying attention to current events news, and looking at local alternatives could be the way to go. 

Peddler’s Son is a Trusted Local Supplier 

Peddler’s Son is the go-to supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. Want to stay current on market updates that affect produce? Sign up for our newsletter and read about the global agriculture industry every week.

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Fuel causes direction in the supply chain

How Do Fuel Prices Affect the Food Supply Chain?

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As it has become more and more apparent that fuel prices are rising and causing turmoil amongst commuters, it is important to understand the domino effect that happens as a result of changes in price. We keep hearing about the supply chain, but what does that really mean? What is the true impact on food supply when we are paying more at the pump?

At Peddler’s Son, we provide consistent food delivery with local service, a centralized warehouse, and advanced technologies. Read our blog post below to find out why buying local could help keep costs down. 

What is the supply chain and how does it work? 

The first step in understanding the cause and effect relationship between pricing in one industry and the result it has on another’s supply chain is understanding what a supply chain is. A supply chain in its simplest form is a focus on the core activities within an organization required to convert raw materials or component parts through to finished products or services. A supply chain is typically made up of five parts: 

  • Sourcing – this includes finding suppliers or the source that can provide the needed goods or services to a business. 
  • Procurement – this is when the business or entity acquires products or services. Often companies select suppliers based on existing relationships or on the results of the analysis they have done.
  • Demand Planning – the accuracy of demand comes into play so that supply chain managers can have an accurate number of supplies available to customers. The supply chain organization works with suppliers to ensure they meet projected demand. 
  • Order Fulfillment – this is when the supply chain organization can react to the level of demand, or a business can plan to order more inventory to ensure supplies are produced and available to be purchased. They will either be building or depleting inventory depending on sales volume. 
  • Inventory – this is the physical aspect of the supply chain. Inventory is an asset with the purpose of being sold. Inventory in the supply chain can fall into a few categories including being held for sale, in the production process with the intent to be sold, or in the material’s phase of the production process intended for consumption. 

Why is the food supply chain directly affected by gas prices? 

Thinking specifically about the requirements of the supply chain in the food industry, we must think about the means by which we get our food. One example of a food supply chain is growing produce at a farm. The farmer first plants the seeds, the produce grows, it is harvested from the source, cleaned or processed, packaged for sale, shipped to a destination to be sold, put up for sale, and bought by the consumer before being eaten or cooked into a meal. 

Each part of this theoretical supply chain comes with a multitude of moving parts. The distribution of food is directly affected by high fuel prices. When the cost of gas is high, trucks and other forms of transportation have to adapt by either traveling less of a distance at the same price or increasing the price of the product in order to cover the expense. This affects consumers because they might not be able to purchase what they demand if distribution can’t travel the distance. Or, as we’ve seen in the market today, the price of food increases. In order for distributors to meet the same level or higher demand, they must incur the cost and mark up the final price to avoid a loss. 

As of February 2022, food prices rose by 0.9% to an annualized rate of 7%. Food at home saw the largest increase in the segment, rising 1% in January, while food away from home was up 0.7%. As you can see, the domino effect that we were talking about earlier will then cause higher inflation as a direct result of higher food prices. Consumers will have less disposable income as they are paying more for gas and food. Both of these can be considered necessities, but in order to save money, consumers might consider buying fewer types of food. This can hinder the food industry greatly with decreased demand for many products, making certain suppliers unable to sell their food products. 

Peddler’s Son is a Trusted Arizona Supplier

 Considering buying local? Peddler’s Son is the go-to supplier for Arizona restaurants, hospitals, schools, and more. Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. Contact us today to create your account and order fresh goods.

How Do Fuel Prices Affect the Food Supply Chain? Read More »

School Lunch

What Should a Good School Lunch Look Like?

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School is a time when children make independent choices about how they socialize, learn, and observe the world around them. But, another important aspect of the day is school lunch. It is here where children’s independent choices come headfirst and are influenced by their friends, family, and popular trends. It’s an important time to encourage them to make good choices when it comes to what they should eat.

Since 1988, Peddler’s Son has been a trusted partner in wholesale delivery. Through excellent customer service and attention to detail, we are dedicated to delivering quality food on a reliable schedule. The root of our business is food service expertise and building deep relationships with customers ranging from those in healthcare and restaurants to schools and catering. Read our blog post below to learn what foods make up a good school lunch. 

Fridge and Freezer Essentials for Good School Lunches

When it comes to serving good quality food for school children, you need to consider each item’s nutritional value. This is especially important for their developing minds and bodies. Here are some staples you should think about serving in your cafeteria dishes. 

  • Eggs: Eggs are an excellent source of protein, but they also provide even more health benefits. This includes high levels of Vitamin B5, B12, and B2, as well as calcium, zinc, and much more!
  • Fruits and vegetables: We don’t think we have to tell you how beneficial eating your fruits and vegetables is, especially for developing children. They’re packed with the nutrients our bodies crave and promote a tremendously healthy lifestyle.
  • Pretzels: In moderation, pretzels can make for a great snack for children. Because most wheat flour is enriched with extra nutrients, pretzels also contain plenty of iron and B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin, which help our bodies convert food into sugars it uses for energy.
  • Cheese: While you might think cheese is unhealthy, it has a number of benefits including improving oral health, lower risk of heart disease, and more. Read our blog post to learn the full extent of cheese’s benefits.

Good School Lunches Do Not Have…

  • Sweet drinks: Try to avoid sweet drinks such as fruit juices, fruit drinks, cordials, sports drinks, energy drinks, flavored waters, flavored mineral waters, iced teas, and soft drinks. These are high in energy and sugar and can lead to weight gain and poor oral health. 
  • Dried fruit bars and strips: While your child needs to eat fruits and veggies, they should avoid dried varieties. This is because these items are typically low in fiber and high in sugar.
  • “Oven-Baked” Chips: Sure, these chips aren’t fried. But, what they lack in oil, they make up for in salt and fat. Your children should opt for healthier alternatives such as pita chips, pretzels, or crackers. 

How Can a Food Distribution Service Improve a School Lunch?

It’s pretty simple. When a school partners with a local food distributor they can enjoy fresh food items such as fruit and vegetables, as well as grocery provisions like crackers, dairy items, and more. Eating fresh is always better as they typically contain more nutrients than our body requires. Plus, they can also taste better which means children will be more likely to eat them. 

Peddler’s Son is Arizona’s Premier Food Distribution Partner

Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. In 30 years, we have learned how to foster and grow our relationships with clients and how to help you build and grow your business. Contact us today to become a customer, and take your business operations to the next level. 

What Should a Good School Lunch Look Like? Read More »

Host using technology

What New Technology is Changing Food Service?

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In the kitchen, at every table, and even before the customer ever enters the restaurant, technology is an essential part of the dining experience and how restaurants operate. From the cooks to the clientele and the CEO to the servers, there are digital solutions that impact every aspect of a business. Technology is constantly innovating food service, making running a restaurant easier, faster, and more profitable than ever before. 

Since 1988, Peddler’s Son has been a trusted partner in wholesale delivery. While the wholesale produce industry is lacking in tech, we strive to be progressive. We use our route optimization software to help increase the visibility of our delivery process from start to finish. The root of our business is building our customers’ trust, allowing us to fuel your business at a value you expect. Read our blog post below to learn more about new food service technology that should be on every restaurant’s menu. 

Technology in The Kitchen

Technology is used to automate many systems that once took time and energy from restaurant owners and employees. One example is ensuring that food and equipment are up to par. Many restaurants have started utilizing Bluetooth temperature monitoring systems to be alerted if any temperatures are beyond their acceptable Bluetooth temperature monitoring systems threshold. These Bluetooth sensors can also wirelessly record temperature readings in a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point log to control food safety protocols without needing employees to manually enter reports. 

Automation in the kitchen overall has been gaining popularity. As of 2019, 22 percent of food manufacturers had implemented advanced automation systems. In some cases, robots are even being used for food processing or cleaning systems. These automatons are important with labor shortage concerns and a rising need for efficiency.

Staff Management Technology

Training new staff and scheduling employees can be time-consuming for restaurant managers, but new tech makes staff management more efficient. Virtual reality onboarding allows new hires to utilize software to take a facility tour, watch other employees, or test what they have learned in workplace simulations. First tested by Honeygrow, VR onboarding is shown to prepare workers faster and more adequately for their jobs, while reducing the cost of employee training.  

Software is also available to help restaurateurs with scheduling. Managers can generate and distribute digital schedules while accounting for employee availability, time off, and shift swapping. Technology can also help to reduce staffing costs over time by monitoring sales and ensuring maximum profitability. 

Benefits of Having a Supplier

There are also many emerging and growing technologies that get customers directly involved. These can improve customer experience, reduce staffing requirements, and make restaurant management more effective.

  • Tabletop tablets: Table tablets have been a popular point of sale technology for a while, but they are continuing to improve and make dramatic differences in the ordering process. Tabletop tech can allow customers to browse the menu, create customized orders, and pay for their meals entirely on their own.
  • Reservation manager:  Long wait times are a major source of customer dissatisfaction at restaurants. Reservation management software allows potential customers to make reservations directly. Certain platforms might also make suggestions for seating arrangements and give customers accurate wait times. 
  • Mobile apps: Most consumers have smartphones and are constantly interacting with them. Food delivery app revenue more than doubled amid the pandemic, and mobile apps are a great way for restaurants to get in on the delivery trend. Mobile apps can also be used to offer exclusive promotions and provide menu information.  

Experience Wholesale Delivery Technology with Peddler’s Son 

Each Peddler’s Son truck is tracked as it leaves our warehouse to the moment it makes its way to your facility. Each truck is enhanced with GPS software to track your order in real-time to make sure that you get your products on time and with simplicity. In 30 years, we have learned how to foster and grow our relationships with clients and how to use our technology to help you build and grow your business. Contact us today to become a customer, and take your business operation to the next level. 

What New Technology is Changing Food Service? Read More »

Genoa Salami

What is the Difference Between Genoa Salami and Hard Salami?

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Salami is any kind of encased mix of salted meats. It makes the perfect base for a sandwich, pairs well with pasta, and elevates any charcuterie board. Two of the most common salami varieties available are Genoa salami and hard salami. But, with over 300 different varieties of salami available, how do you know which works best for your dish? 

Since 1988, Peddler’s Son has been a trusted partner in wholesale delivery to restaurants, caterers, and more. Through excellent customer service and attention to detail, we are dedicated to delivering quality food on a reliable schedule. The root of our business is food service expertise and building deep relationships with customers. Read our blog post below to learn the difference between Genoa salami and hard salami. 

What is Genoa Salami

Genoa salami is a type of dry, salted, and spiced salami. This type of sausage is naturally fermented, meaning that it is treated with bacteria or yeast to preserve it. While it is thought to have originated in Genoa, a hilly area in Italy, Genoa salami has no protected designation of origin and can be produced anywhere in the world, not only in the native geographical region that it originated from.

What is Hard Salami

Hard salami, as its name suggests, is a firm type of salami usually made from pork. It is slightly lighter than other salami varieties and has a marbled appearance. The meat is processed with garlic and other seasonings, cured, air-dried, and wrapped in a casing. Unlike Genoa, hard salami originates from Germany.

Ingredient Differences

Both Genoa and hard salami are typically made with pork as the predominant ingredient. Genoa can also be made from veal or beef and hard salami is sometimes a pork and beef blend. According to the FSIS Identity Standards, hard salami must have a moisture and protein ratio of 1.9 to 1 so it typically contains less moisture and has a more dense meat content than Genoa. Genoa salami contains wine and vinegar whereas hard salami does not.  

Salami Texture and Flavor Variations

The wine and vinegar in Genoa salami, as well as containing more spices than its hard counterpart, gives it a bright, tangy and acidic flavor that isn’t as mild as hard salami. Hard salami is smoked after it is cured so it usually has a smooth smokey flavor. Hard salami’s high protein content, with less moisture and sometimes fat, makes it drier and firmer than Genoa salami, it also makes it a little chewy. Genoa salami has a high-fat content making it softer and greasier than other dry sausages.

Genoa vs. Hard Nutritional Value

One of the benefits of including salami in your diet is the high levels of vitamin B. A variety of B vitamins can help your body process food to make energy. Genoa salami is richer in B vitamins, containing around 20 percent of the daily value. Hard salami is slightly higher in potassium and sodium but offers a larger percentage of your daily protein value. 

Get Salami Varieties on your Menu with Peddler’s Son 

Family-owned and operated since 1988, Peddler’s Son brings you honest pricing, unparalleled customer service, and farm-fresh produce every day. In 30 years, we have learned how to foster and grow our relationships with clients and how to help you build and grow your business. Contact us today to become a customer, and take your business operations to the next level. 

What is the Difference Between Genoa Salami and Hard Salami? Read More »

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