Issuu

April / 2025 / ferrarofoods.com

Small Bites, Big Flavor

Welcome to the April Edition of Fresco by Ferraro!

Spring is in full swing — and so is the season of snacking. In this issue of Fresco by Ferraro, we’re celebrating the bold, bite-sized bites that steal the show at spring gatherings, picnics, and parties. Whether it’s crispy handhelds, shareable apps, or nostalgic comfort foods with a twist, small plates are making a big impact on menus everywhere.

Inside, you’ll find fresh inspiration in “Spring Into Flavor”, where we explore craveable, creative takes on mini menu items. Our Customer Spotlight takes you inside Naples Pizza in Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ — a local favorite. And in April Industry Insights, we dive into how comfort food crossovers are driving the snacking trend across pizzerias and casual restaurants.

Don't miss our Featured Item section, curated with your spring menu in mind — because sometimes, the best things really do come in small (and delicious) packages.

Buon apetito, amici, The Ferraro Family

April 2025

SPRING INTO FLAVOR

Bite size menu innovations that pack a punch.

Page 4

APRIL INDUSTRY INSIGHTS:

How Comfort Food Crossovers Are Powering the Snacking Trend

Page 11

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

A look inside Naples Pizza in Little Egg Harbor Township. Page 12

FEATURED ITEMS

A few of our favorite products for Spring. Page 15

Spring Into Flavor: Bite-Sized

Innovations That Pack a Punch

As the weather warms up and patio season kicks off, diners are craving light, fresh, and shareable dishes that celebrate the flavors of spring. This is the perfect moment to refresh your menu with trend-forward, highmargin small bites and seasonal pairings that keep guests coming back for more.

Whether you're looking to update your happy hour offerings, add new appetizer options, or craft a spring tasting menu, these creative concepts are designed to excite your guests — and boost your bottom line.

Pizza Perfection

Small Formats, Big Impact

Mini Pizzas

Customizable and cost-effective. Use flatbread or naan as the base. Spring topping ideas:

• Asparagus, lemon zest & ricotta (Ferraro# 0900037)

• Cherry tomato, basil & balsamic

• Goat cheese (Ferraro# 0800174), caramelized onion & arugula

Pro Tip : Add “Create Your Own Pizza Flight” to your happy hour or late-night menu for extra appeal.

Pizza Cones

Rolled dough cones baked until golden, then filled with:

• Spicy sausage (Ferraro# 4000056) & mozzarella (Ferraro# 00100036)

• Spinach, artichoke & fontina (Ferraro# 0800426)

• Roasted mushrooms with burrata

Stuffed Pizza Bites

Perfect for shareables or bar snacks. Fill biscuit dough with:

• Mozzarella & pepperoni (Ferraro# 4600011)

• Spinach & feta

• Smoked gouda & prosciutto

Serve with warm marinara or aioli.

Tiny But Mighty Small Plates with Global Flavor

Mini Tacos

Use 4-inch tortillas or baked wonton cups. Fill with:

• Chipotle shrimp & mango salsa

• Braised pork & pickled onion

• Crispy cauliflower & chimichurri

Sliders

Offer a trio sampler:

• Lamb meatball + tzatziki

• BBQ jackfruit + cabbage slaw

• Korean fried chicken + spicy mayo

Mini Empanadas

Easy to prep and freeze. Fill with:

• Roasted corn & queso fresco

• Spring pea & mint

• Truffle mushroom & manchego

Serve with cilantro crema or red pepper coulis.

Menu Tip : Sliders and empanadas are ideal upsell items for bar service and tasting menus.

Cheese, Please!

Comfort Food, Reimagined

Crispy Mozzarella Sticks

Bread fresh mozzarella in herb panko. Serve with spicy arrabbiata or garlic-tomato jam.

Burrata Crostini

Top grilled baguette with burrata, tomato confit, and arugula pesto.

Whipped Ricotta with Honey Whip until silky, drizzle with local honey, cracked pepper, and lemon zest. Serve with crostini or grilled peaches.

Pairing Suggestion : Serve with wine flights or prosecco to increase pairing opportunities.

Spring

Fresh Bites

Light, Vibrant & InstagramFriendly

Bruschetta Bar

Offer a rotating trio:

• Roasted beet + whipped feta

• Tomato + basil + balsamic (Ferraro# 200561)

• Avocado + radish + microgreens

Avocado Toast Sampler

Serve on multigrain or rye rounds:

• Spicy crab & cucumber

• Feta, pomegranate & mint

• Pickled veggies & za’atar

Mediterranean Mezze Platter

Layer your platter with:

• Hummus

• Tzatziki

• Marinated olives

• Stuffed grape leaves

• Housemade flatbread

Social Hook : These vibrant bites are perfect for guest photos — encourage tagging for free marketing!

Sweet treats

Dessert Offerings with Personality

Mini Cannoli Bites

Fill phyllo shells or mini cones with sweet ricotta, chocolate chips, and orange zest.

Zeppole

Italian doughnuts dusted in powdered sugar. Serve with Nutella or lemon curd dipping sauces.

Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Layer macerated berries, biscuit crumbles, and whipped cream in mini jars.

Chocolate-Dipped Fruit

Offer a rotating selection: Strawberries, pineapple, figs, or dried apricots dipped in dark chocolate, sprinkled with sea salt or chili flakes.

FRESCO BY FERRARO

Sip & Snack Pairings

Boost Revenue with Smart Pairings

Drink Perfect Pairing

Cucumber Mint Spritz Mini Empanadas

Rosé Sangria Avocado Toast Trio

Elderflower Lemonade Whipped Ricotta Crostini

Sparkling Peach Bellini Strawberry Shortcake Cups

Upsell Strategy : Bundle bites with cocktails for happy hour combos or prix fixe menus.

Small bites are a smart way to refresh your menu, reduce waste, and create memorable guest experiences. With high visual appeal and customizable flavors, these dishes help you lean into seasonal ingredients while maximizing profit.

Tap Into the Taste Customers Love

Soda Syrups bring the fizz, flavor, and value your fountain needs.

April

Small Bites, Big Impact: How Comfort Food Crossovers Are Powering the Snacking Trend

In today’s foodservice landscape, small bites are proving they’re here to stay—and comfort food is helping to keep the trend sizzling. As operators look to capture attention and drive revenue across more dayparts, the blending of nostalgic flavors with snack-sized portions is striking a chord with consumers, especially Gen Z.

According to Technomic, Gen Z’s snacking habits now account for a whopping 24% of eating occasions at limited-service restaurants. This shift reflects a broader evolution in dining behavior, as younger consumers move away from the traditional three-meals-a-day structure and seek out convenient, craveable options to fuel their onthe-go lifestyles.

So, what’s keeping them coming back for more? Familiar flavors in fun formats.

Think mac and cheese bites, mini chicken and waffle sliders, fried ravioli, loaded tater tot cups—and garlic knots reimagined as loaded snacks. These pillowy, buttery bites are a fan favorite on their own, but when topped with melty mozzarella, crumbled sausage or pepperoni, and a drizzle of spicy marinara or ranch, they become an irresistible small plate with huge shareability. Garlic knots bridge the gap between appetizer and indulgent snack, offering that comforting, carbforward satisfaction in just a few bites.

Small bites also cater to changing social dynamics. As consumers increasingly value flexibility and personalization, they're gravitating toward menus that allow for grazing, sharing, and customizing. Whether it’s a quick solo snack between meetings or a table full of shareable plates for a night out with friends, these bite-sized options give people more ways to enjoy food on their terms.

For operators, small bites present a golden opportunity to boost check averages, increase off-peak traffic, and appeal to the highly influential Gen Z consumer. Limited-time offers (LTOs), snackable sides, and build-your-own sampler platters can create buzz while giving diners the chance to explore new flavors without committing to a full entrée.

Another benefit? Small bites are flexible. They’re easy to batch, scale, and customize, whether you’re running a food truck, fast casual, or ghost kitchen. And because comfort food ingredients are often familiar and cost-effective, margins can stay healthy even as the menu feels fresh.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT

NAPLES PIZZA

Little Egg Harbor Township, NJ

Interviewed: Frank Colandrea

A Slice of History

Naples Pizza has been a cornerstone of the Little Egg Harbor community for over four decades. First opened in 1978 and proudly family-owned since 1984, this neighborhood favorite has earned its reputation one slice at a time. With roots deeply planted in tradition and an eye toward quality, Naples has become more than a pizzeria— it’s a local institution.

Built on Consistency

From its early days, Naples has prioritized authentic flavors and reliable quality. That consistency is what keeps customers coming back—and what makes Naples stand out in a crowded market. Known for its classic approach to pizza, the restaurant has never strayed from what works: simple, honest ingredients and a commitment to doing things right.

FRESCO BY FERRARO

Powered by Partnership

Behind the scenes, Naples relies on top-tier partners like Ferraro Foods to bring their menu to life. With a wide range of highquality ingredients, dependable service, and competitive pricing, Ferraro provides the tools Naples needs to maintain its high standards. The relationship between Naples and their Ferraro salesman is rooted in trust, responsiveness, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Advice from Experience

For others in the industry, the takeaway is clear: stay true to your roots. At Naples, quality starts with consistency—using the same ingredients, day in and day out, to create something that customers recognize and love. That authenticity is what builds trust, loyalty, and longterm success.

FRESCO

FINALMENTE CUP & CHAR PEPPERONI

STUFFED FOODS APPETIZERS

RANA SIGNATURE DESSERT BITES

A PREMIUM UPGRADE FOR BOLD, CRAVEABLE FLAVOR.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT

Pre-Sliced Convenience

Say goodbye to hand-slicing sticks. Each slice is a perfect 16ct, saving you time and labor.

Top-Tier Quality at a Competitive Price Crafted to go head-to-head with any cup & char on the market.

Operator-Friendly Case Pack 10lb case comes in 2 x 5lb bags for easy storage and use.

FERRARO# 4001771 | 2/5 LB

SCRATCH-QUALITY, BITE-SIZED INNOVATION.

Cavtappi pasta, aged white cheddar, in-house roasted bacon.

FERRARO# 4102275 | 4/2.34 LB

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Stuffed with a three-cheese blend and coated in buffalo sauce.

FERRARO# 4102277 | 4/2.34 LB

ELOTE STREET CORN BITES

Fire-roasted corn combined with cream cheese, mayo, feta, lime juice and cilantro.

FERRARO# 4102276 | 4/2.34 LB

SPINACH & ARTICHOKE POPPER

Spinach & artichokes blended with mozzarella, asiago, and romano cheeses, coated in a crispy panko crumb.

FERRARO# 4102278 | 4/2.34 LB

BITE SIZED TREATS, PERFECT FOR DESSERT

BROWNIE BITES

Rich Brownie Batter, Chunks of Brownie, Morsels of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

9 Cooks In~ 2 Minutes or Less from Frozen

9 Easy to Heat in a Variety of Cooking Equipment

9 2-hour Hold Time

9 Efficient Shelf Life (Frozen Up to 1 Year)

FERRARO# 3600098 | 3/5 LB

S'MORES BITES

Gooey Marshmallow, SemiSweet Chocolate Chunks, Crispy, Crunchy Shell.

FERRARO# 3600099 | 3/5 LB

BACON MAC & CHEESE BITES

AN ELEVATED TASTE EXPERIENCE IN PREMIUM PASTA

Now imported from Italy, Barilla Al Bronzo uses high quality durum wheat and a traditional bronze cut technique. This leads to excellent sauce grip for more ﬂavor in every bite and an artisanal pasta experience.