Supermarket Perimeter - May 2023 - 43

keeping an eye out for timesaving and cost-saving ways to feed
themselves and their families. This, Buenning said, is giving grocery
stores an opportunity to continue to capture the fast-casual audience.
" Inflation has made consumers more conscious about the money
they spend in restaurants, and made them not eat out as often, " she
said. " However, they're still looking for easy meal solutions and high
quality, creative food options that are easy to take home and re-heat or
eat on-the-go. "
These trends, she added, are driving the grab-and-go category
throughout the food industry. During the pandemic, certain restaurants
flourished by adding grab-and-go sections, and many are continuing to
offer this as an option to their diners as the pandemic wanes.
" With consumers getting back to their busy lives, grab-and-go allows
them the convenience to purchase a quick and easy meal without
spending the time to make it, and without incurring the added expense
of eating out. "
Recognizing the growth and attraction of the grab-and-go trend, the
La Brea Bakery research and development team revamped the brand's
buns, rolls, and other sandwich carriers in a Thaw & Sell format that's
vegan-certified with an ambient shelf life up to four days.
The breads guarantee the great taste and texture that La Brea Bakery
customers expect, Buenning said, while supporting premium sandwich
options in the deli case. Using natural enzyme technology, La Brea
Bakery sandwich carriers have an increased ambient shelf life of four
days, enabling operators to free up freezer space and use the breads
over several days, decreasing waste and maximizing profits.
A better sandwich bag
Raybern's gets creative again
During COVID and the supply chain headaches that came in its wake,
San Ramon, Calif.-based Raybern's focused on its core items, putting
innovation on the back burner.
Now that the world is trying to get back to business as usual, the
sandwich specialist is starting to experiment a bit more, said Lexi
Levang, associate brand manager.
" Our core sandwiches are still our No. 1 priority, but as things are
starting to stabilize, we're looking at some different things. "
Many of those things are still in the works, but Levang did share that
later this year, Raybern's will be launching some new grab-and-go
products specifically created for a Walmart private label program.
Also on tap for later in 2023 are new non-sandwich grab-and-go
items. It's a way for Raybern's to take advantage of its high-quality bread
recipe, applying that same level of quality to new items.
Other trends Raybern's is keeping a close eye for possible future
products include Asian-inspired cuisine, hot honey and other forms of
Policarta's Oven2Go sandwich bags are
the perfect choice for commissaries,
central kitchens and other facilities that
supply grocery instore deli/prepared
departments with sandwiches.
With Oven2Go, food moves from
freezer to oven to your customer in
a sealed package that meets FDA 21
CFR, BfR XXXVI/2, and EU(EC)
1935/2004 guidelines, allowing
commissaries and retailers to cut
consumables and increase their
throughput with a single product.
Customers can also look forward to
" no more soggy food, " according
to Policarta. " Heat retention plus
humidity control means a perfect meal
every time. Pick the speed you need.
Flawless performance in accelerated
cook ovens up to 400° F standard
and 520° F when customized. "
INSIDER
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MAY 2023 - 43
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Supermarket Perimeter - May 2023

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