February 2023 Newsletter

‘‘There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” – George Bernard Shaw

4–6

WHAT WE LOVE

7

FEATURED BRANDS CRUSH ON PROFITS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

8–9

10–11

FEATURED BRANDS/PRODUCTS

12–13

FOOD SERVICE TRENDS

14–15

FEATURED BRANDS | EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

16

FEATURED BRAND

17

This is the 15th installment of our What We Love Valentine’s series. In the spirit of all things love-ly, we asked employees what Delco items they love the most or what they love most about Delco.

Here’s what we found...

“I love that we work as a team to accomplish many things, even when we have stressful moments during the day. Spanish version: Me encanta que trabejemos en equipo para lograr muchas metas, incluso cuando tenemos momentos estresantes durante el dia.”

– Moises Martinez,

Receiving

“One of my favorite items is the Sartori Parmesan! The flavor is so rich! I have used it to make homemade pesto, homemade Alfredo, on pizzas and on dressings. Everyone always compliments the flavor profile!” – Moriah Gramm, Sales Representative

#190150 Grated Parmesan 6/5# #190301 Fine Shred Parmesan 4/5#

“Our Vital Farms eggs are my newest item from Delco I love. These loved-on chickens get to roam in a pasture, eating grasses in the sunshine. Knowing that is enough for me to buy the eggs but the result of that is a noticeable better flavor.

I forgot what eggs we’re supposed to taste like. Currently the price for these delights are in most cases better than the standard egg. If you don’t use fresh eggs in your restaurant, get a case for home share with family etc. you will be glad you did.”

– Mark Turner, Regional Sales Manager

#1006657 Pasture Raised Eggs 15 dozen

“My wife, Kayla, and I in 8 years have grown accustomed to Lavazza espresso coffee, flour (we buy it by the 50#), yeast, sugar #25, Quattro formaggio cheese, bacon and pepperoni. We love to make our own dough for pizza, fry bread for hummus, and make handmade egg noodles. The newest food exploration is making jams and butters to can. We have family pizza and pasta nights regularly. Dominic, my 8-year-old son, loves to cook and make the pasta sauce.” –Austin Wiggins-Hoesman, Driver

#100325 All Trumps Flour 50#

#1002109 Caffe Crema Capsules 100 ct

#1005301 Quattro Formaggio 6/5#

“I love LavAzza’s new ready-to-drink cold brew cans. All four flavor-options taste great and check all the boxes when looking for a high quality cold brewed coffee drink! LavAzza’s canned cold brews are all 100% USDA certified organic as well as Rainforest Alliance certified. For all non-dairy drinkers, the Double Shot Cold Brew with Oat Milk is the perfect treat! ” – Bob

Brenner, Beverage Director

#420100 Double Shot Cold Brew 12/8 oz

#420105 Cappuccino Cold Brew 12/8 oz

#420110 Classic Org Cold Brew 12/8 oz

#420115 Nitro Organic Cold Brew 12/8 oz

WHAT WE LOVE

“I love Sartori’s Rosemary Asiago cheese. This is a staple in the DeBonis household. We like to incorporate this in our pizzas, pasta dishes, grilled cheese and charcuterie boards. It’s always a good day when the family is munching on some rosemary asiago, especially when it’s paired with a little Fra’Mani Salame Calabrese! .” – Joe

DeBonis, Sales Representative

#1006690 Rosemary Asiago 4/5#

#1003914 Spicy Calabrese 10/11 oz

“Nueske Honey Glazed Spiral Ham… years ago I brought one to my family’s Thanksgiving because I’m not a big turkey fan. After I did it once, everyone has demanded it since. Nueske Ham has become just as important as the turkey. Its is so good & very easy to prepare.” –

John Groves, Sales Representative

#252371 Spiral Honey Glazed Ham 6-9#

“I’ve been loving the appetizer options from Louisa, specifically the 3-Cheese Manicotti and the Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Bites that come with a spicy kick!”

– Austin Hendrickson, Sales Representative

#320384 3 Cheese Manicotti 72/3 oz

#1007424 Breaded Jalapeno Mac & Cheese Bites 2/5 lb

“I’ve only been with Delco a year, but I can tell you that I love pizza. I’ve spent time going to a lot of our customers to try out different blends to see if I could tell a difference and what I like.

As far as what I like about Delco, it has to be the friendly atmosphere. Everyone smiles and says hi when I am walking across the dock, some even have a quick joke.” –

Jeremy Nicholson, Cheese Production General Manager

MORE OF WHAT WE LOVE

“I haven’t found many pizzas since working here that I don’t like. A couple of my favorites are the Louisa Pasta brand and Nueske’s Bacon.” – Jeremy

Hornbeck, Driver

#320991 4-Cheese Breaded Rav 2/5#

#320423 Cheese Tortellini 1/5#

#1002355 Nueske 16-20 Bacon 2/5#

CRUSH ON PROFITS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Get excited for an increase in check averages for diners on Valentine’s Day. Below are some ways to get customers to consider you for their special meal and how to create that unforgettable customer experience.

Limited-Time Menu:

Specials are one of the first considerations when deciding on where to go for a night out (or in). Create a special menu ahead of time and share on social media. Stress that these items are only available for a limited time. Take images of those you are especially proud of and share them leading up to February 14th.

Romantic Names & Descriptions:

It’s all in the way you describe menu items. Play up the theme of the occassion using creative words. You can even show personality by creating names that are ‘punny’. Penne Pasta in Pink Blush Sauce – give vodka sauce a pink tinge by adding extra vodka

Couple’s Cannoli – Two cannoli drizzled with chocolate and strawberry syrup

Dessert Pizza:

If there is a day of the year to indulge in sugary foods, Valentine’s Day is the day to do it! Satisfy their sweet tooth with these dessert “pizzas”.

Strawberry Chocolate Pizza – Hazelnut chocolate spread, sliced strawberries, sliced almonds, chocolate syrup, confectioners sugar

S’mores Pizza – Chocolate chips, marshmallows, crumbled graham cracker, chocolate syrup

Cozy Night-In Meal Kit:

With some people still weary of dining out with crowds, offer a thoughtful takeout option for two. You can make it more of an experience for them by packaging topping separately so they can customize it at home. Include simple and straightforward instructions if the dish requires heating or re-heating. Below are some examples:

Dessert Pizza Kit

Heart-Shaped Pizza Kit

Cannoli Kit

Pasta Salad Kit

Encourage Photos:

Offer to take photos of couples and encourage them to tag your restaurant’s location in their posts. This is a great way to get some free advertising. Also, create plate presentations that are photo-worthy by garnishing and arranging your food well so they can’t help but snap pictures.

A Thoughtful Giveaway for Diners:

Consider offering patrons who dine-in a small gift with their meal – such as handing them a flower or a little treat after dinner. This could be as simple as a few pieces of chocolate with their bill. Even just a thoughtful, simple handwritten note or Valentine’s card with their food will make an impression.

A Little Something for Singles:

Valentine’s Day is for couples, but don’t forget about the single crowd. Anti-Valentine’s Day promotions have gained popularity over recent years. Imagine all the unromantic food you can think of such as garlicky foods and messy foods. Essentially, pick foods that can be eaten guilt-free for the night. Get creative with the names of these unromantic items on your specials menu.

FEBRUARY 2023

NEW CUSTOMERS SAVE

#403009 No Nut Basil Pesto – $2/case

#403010 Basil Pesto with Pine Nuts – $1/case

#403012 Sundried Tomato Basil Pesto – $2.50/case

#403014 Alfredo Sauce – $2.50/case

Gluten Free – All-Natural – No Preservatives –No Trans Fats – Concentrated – Cost Effective

Pizzutello tomatoes, originating in Campania, harvested and processed while fresh, carefully peeled and slightly dried. Their particular sweet taste makes them perfect for fish dishes. Delicious on white pizzas and in salads. 100% Italian Tomato. Processed fresh at the peak of the season.

MINI REDS

MINI RED PEELED SEMI-DRIED TOMATOES #1006358 6/28.2 oz

FOOD SERVICE TRENDS

2022 TRENDS IN REVIEW

2022 was a reset year for many in the foodservice industry. With the past few years being full of the unknown, operators and distributors alike worked towards leveling out to a new normal and moving forward with a plan in 2023.

YEAR IN REVIEW

Focus on sustainability

Reducing waste or spoilage across the supply chain was a popular topic for both sustainability AND cost reasons. 9 states have implemented foam container bans.

Consumers are still dining out

Initial inflation shock caused a small dip in visits but this affordable luxury has rebounded despite talks of a recession

Labor and Supply Chain shortages

The industry is still down 750,000 jobs — roughly 6.1% of its workforce — from pre-pandemic levels as of May, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Product availability is better than in the last two years but still below 2019 levels and rising prices of key ingredients. Restaurant owners are creating unique menu offerings using multipurpose ingredients.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2023

Technology continues to advance

Technology made some large advancements in 2022 and will continue make running daily operations more efficient for restaurant owners. Investing in technology to grow business and hit consumers pain points will continue to be important. Technology also helps address the concerns around the labor shortage by making restaurants more efficient.

Digital is key

Consumers will continue to look to digital ordering for quick and convenient dining options while restaurant owners will explore more digital advertising avenues over traditional methods.

Menu refresh

Many operators will be redeveloping their menus in 2023 due to rising cost of goods. Changing consumer tastes and the rise of specific diets should be taken into consideration when redesigning a menu.

of Food and Health Survey participants reported following a specific diet or eating pattern, a sharp uptick from 39% in 2021.1

STATES WITH FOAM BAN

• Colorado (effective January 2024)

• Maine

• Maryland

• New York

• New Jersey

• Vermont

• Virginia (effective July 2023 for large businesses and July 2025 for small businesses)

• Washington (ban on packing peanuts effective June 2023; coolers and foodservice products ban effective June 2024)

• Washington, D.C.

TECH TO CHECK OUT IN 2023

AUGMENTED REALITY (AR)

AR can be utilized in a variety of ways, including virtual tours, menu displays, and employee training.

ONLINE CHAT BOTS

A chatbot is a computer program made to imitate human conversation, allowing it to be programmed to answer questions. If a customer has a common support question, a chatbot can quickly answer it for them.

NEW QR CODE USES

Use of QR codes is predicted to expand. Restaurants will likely include QR codes on delivery items, allowing customers to leave a quick review. Other establishments are likely to display their video and audio content through QR codes in their restaurant.

Happy Little Plants Pepperoni (#1007296)

Diced Chicken Fajita Meat (#1007903)

Fire Braised Pulled Chicken Thighs (#1006356)

Perfectly Cooked Bacon Half Slices (#1007074)

Spicy Chicken Sausage Topping (#1006058)

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Sometimes a person fits so well into their new role that we all forget they’re still fairly new. This has been the case with Customer Service Representative, Lindsey Marie Wheeler –known as Marie to her customers. After only a year, Lindsey’s co-workers have nothing but good things to say. Sales Rep, John Groves, says, “Lindsey is super pleasant and always willing to help fellow employees out.” Sales Rep, Jhovana Cervantes, agrees, “Lindsey Marie has been nothing but fabulous since meeting her. Her wealth of food knowledge, organization and willingness to help are beyond average. I can count on her with anything.”

Lindsey earned her wealth of food knowledge at culinary school followed by time in the restaurant industry. Business Manager, Tim Walker, explains, “Lindsey’s culinary background gives her an added insight into her customers’

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

LINDSEY MARIE WHEELER

needs and her attention to detail is excellent.” Switching from a job constantly on her feet to an office position has been an adjustment for Lindsey, but she has enjoyed taking customer orders and offering support to her outside reps. The best part? “I like working with such nice people and supportive co-workers. Everyone is so willing to help and answer questions,” Lindsey says. Lindsey is also impressed with Delco Drivers. “My first week of training I went out with a driver starting at 3am. It was intense seeing how hard our drivers work every day, especially in all kinds of weather,” she explains.

When Lindsey isn’t helping her customers and co-workers, she loves movies, baking and painting pottery. From the northside of Indy, she has two sisters and currently lives with one of them. Lindsey grew up with a love for travelling, so after culinary school she and her older sister lived in Australia for a year. She also lived and travelled around New Zealand for a year.

We’re happy that Lindsey Marie made her way to us at Delco Foods.

In Loving Memory BOB POEHLEIN

May 9, 1951 – January 30, 2023

Robert “Bob” A. Poehlein, 71, of Newburgh, IN passed away at home on Monday, January 30, 2023. Bob was born May 9, 1951 in Tell City, IN, son of the late John and Velva (Carter) Poehlein. Bob is survived by his son, Scott (Carrie) of Fishers; grandsons, Hunter and Ethan; and countless close friends and extended family members.

Bob worked as a longtime salesman for Delco Foods. It would be rare to find a better guide to outstanding pizza and Italian food than Bob. His work became more than simply a job – it was a way to connect with and help others. His colleagues and customers became part of his extended family. Everyone who knew Bob felt his big heart and giving nature – gaining him the nickname “SOB” or “Sweet Old Bob.”

Bob was a fan of NASCAR racing, spending time at the family ‘Moose Lodge’ cabin with Scott and his grandsons, meeting his dear breakfast club buddies each morning, and finding the best banana splits in town. Bob had many adventures while volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America: attending high adventure camps, assisting with his son’s Eagle Scout project, and proudly helping both his grandsons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout as well. He was a longtime volunteer and fundraising leader for the Reitz Memorial Band Booster Club. He had a fantastic sense of humor, enjoyed playing cards with friends, a good comedy show, western movies, and the University of Evansville Aces basketball games.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Alexander Funeral Home - Newburgh, 5333 S.R. 261, Newburgh, on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. CST. Visitation will be Saturday from 12:00 p.m. CST until service time.

Bob was an important member of the Delco Family and he will be greatly missed.