commissary INSIDER - December 2017 - 5

Insight Insider

EXCEPTIONAL
ABSORPTION

,Ž.

HIGHER PROFITS
DISCOVER THE NORTH DAKOTA DIFFERENCE

ARTISAN BREAD PRODUCTION WAS A KEY TREND IN 2017.
PHOTO: COMPANION BAKERY

"It's one of our more complex items and some of our competition takes shortcuts and you just don't get the same quality," Bowden says. "Our products are hand-made and produced in relatively small batches. You're not able to get the
quality we produce unless you go through that hard work
and labor-intense process."

Capitalizing on c-store growth
Naperville, Illinois-based Eby-Brown saw success with its
Wakefield Sandwich Co. division, which celebrated the oneyear anniversary of a major rebranding project in September. Working with an outside agency, the company came
up with a plan to take advantage of consumers' desire for
healthier prepared-food options in c-stores.
The results include new options like fresh parfaits, egg white
frittatas and other heart-healthy sandwiches and wraps.
Convenience that doesn't compromise quality has been a
mantra of Wakefield since Day One. And while the company's core offerings have remained largely the same in
recent years, it's not afraid to innovate when necessary, as
evidenced by the rebrand, says Andy Batts, Wakefield's vice
president of business and brand development.
"The core line of sandwiches has changed very little, but
Wakefield has been aggressive with healthier options and
with innovations that leverage flavor trends and appeal to
additional regional and ethnic market segments," Batts says.
For example, the new parfaits, which contain yogurt, fruit
and granola, are similar to items popular at trendy cafes and
coffee shops, and they appeal to a more upscale customer,
he says. And, for a different kind of customer, Wakefield
tweaked the product. "We launched a pudding version made
with chocolate and vanilla pudding topped with cookie
crumbs, offering a more mainstream appeal," Batts says.

Standard Patent Flour:
Dakota Champion
The standard of excellence for the
baking industry, Dakota Champion
ﬂours are suitable for a wide variety of
breads, rolls and specialty products.

Call 1-800-538-7721 to discover the difference.
www.ndmill.com

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CERTIFIED

http://www.ndmill.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of commissary INSIDER - December 2017