We got the chance to sit down to talk with our partners at Back To Basics Foods. See below for the full conversation.
What are some of the biggest food trends you’re seeing in the industry right now?
Convenience is the biggest trend in School Foods. Staff is short and they are not highly trained in the culinary arts so they have to rely on convenience foods that are easy to prepare. Heat and serve or thaw and serve are really the main options that they work with.
How has technology impacted the way you operate?
Technology has had a positive impact on the order processing and logistics sides of the business. But technology has also meant few clients answer phones and most things are done through email. But in the end the most effective way to gain business is the face to face meetings. That has not changed.
Are there any new food items or flavors your company is experimenting with?
We are working on a new version of our No Nut Butter and we are also introducing a new line of baked goods.
How do you balance taste with nutritional value in your food offerings?
The choice of what to eat at school is made by the children. Through cuttings and food shows, the children are exposed to the various food products in the industry and they are the final decision makers. Thus, the taste is the most important factor. If your food product is super healthy but not tasty, then the children won’t eat it and then the nutritional value does not matter.
What are some of the challenges you face when making healthier options both accessible and tasty for your customers?
The biggest challenge is that children’s taste preference are dominated by what the big processed food companies offer. It is very difficult to get a child to move away from that expectation. So, we must make our products as tasty as the competition but hopefully better nutritionally.
How do you differentiate your food brand from others in the market?
We stress additive free, chemical free foods. No artificial flavors, dyes or flavor enhancers.
What has been your most successful marketing strategy to date, and why do you think it resonated with consumers?
The most successful strategy is reliability. We pitch ongoing availability of our products. We pitch products that can be used every day and can be counted on. Trends are sometimes what excites clients but reliability is what keeps them coming back.
How do you maintain strong customer relationships?
We visit clients in person. It is old fashioned but extremely effective.
How do you plan to grow your business while maintaining the quality and values that made you successful?
We will grow our business by introducing new products. With our strong customer relationships, the key to growth is to layer in additional products with existing clients. We will also expand our reach through increased sales presence in states where we are not working currently.
