School foodservice has evolved in the past few years, just like the industry in general. Influenced by a growing number of Gen Z students and millennial parents, school food offerings have started to shift to meet the rising demand for healthier, higher-quality menu items.
Millennial parents tend to favor clean, healthy ingredients. They’re drawn to terms such as “wholesome,” “organic” and “GMO-free” for themselves and their kids.1 Meanwhile, Generation Z is hot on the heels of the millennials, holding high expectations when it comes to healthful, organic food that’s produced both ethically and sustainably. They also assume that their dining options will offer plenty of variety. Gen Z’ers have highly diverse palates having come of age in a time where it’s possible to eat any cuisine—from Thai to vegan to Middle Eastern.2
You may have already started to rethink your menu offerings to reflect these changes. If you have, you’re not alone: 48% of operators expect gluten-free items to increase at their operation in the next two years while 13% expect an increase in organic items.3 Perdue Foodservice can help school foodservice operators satisfy the diverse demand of both students and their parents. Whether seeking gluten-free or organic ingredients, PERDUE® HARVESTLAND®, KINGS DELIGHT® and CLUX DELUX® brands serve up great-tasting chicken and turkey products to meet your needs.
The PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® line of proteins is raised on a 100% vegetarian diet with NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER and no animal by-products.. The PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® brand adheres to strict guidelines of food integrity, providing operators with a full selection of flavorful, 100% vegetarian-fed chicken and turkey products that are made with high-quality ingredients. PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® Organic chicken is also available nationwide* to satisfy the growing demand for better-for-you proteins. And for those looking to increase gluten-free offerings, PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks and Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders are a tasty solution and ideal for school foodservice. Additionally, the CLUX DELUX® line of chicken products is mostly NO ANTIBIOTICS EVER and Child Nutrition labeled, giving you the confidence of a healthy meal for students and staff.
Food trends and higher expectations are just two factors that are changing the face of your foodservice. From funding to food waste, you’re facing a handful of new demands and challenges.3 Sourcing wholesome ingredients shouldn’t be one of them. Perdue Foodservice is here to provide a portfolio of flavorful, nutritious proteins that students, parents and staff love.
*Organic Frozen Chicken is available nationwide in the following formats: whole bird, boneless skinless breast and boneless skinless thighs. PERDUE® HARVESTLAND® Organic Fresh Chicken is available in select Eastern markets in those same formats.
1 The Cambro Blog, “4 Ways Restaurants Can Attract Millennial Parents,” Jan. 15, 2016, https://blog.cambro.com/2016/01/15/4-ways-restaurants-can-attract-millennial-parents/
2 Taylor, Marygrace, “Move over millennials: Here’s what you need to know about Gen Z,” Food Management,
Aug. 23, 2016, http://www.food-management.com/k-12-schools/abcs-gen-z
3 Killian, Kelly, “K-12 Census: Making the effort,” FoodService Director, Mar. 15, 2016, http://www.foodservicedirector.com/research/industry-census/articles/k-12-census-making-effort