Meeting the Needs of the Modern-Day Gourmet

The foodservice industry is continually evolving to meet the growing demands of the modern-day consumer. Plant-based diets, globally inspired flavours and sustainability practices are just a few of the trends that are influencing how restaurateurs and chefs are re-thinking their business practices to differentiate themselves from the competition. Research suggests that 65 per cent of Canadian consumers say social responsibility is important to them when deciding which restaurant to visit and 50 per cent say environmental and social responsibility carries weight when deciding on a restaurant to visit.1

We all want to feel good about the food we eat. Not only should it be nourishing and delicious, but it should also be produced as sustainably and transparently as possible. U.S. rice is a sustainable choice that your customers will appreciate. Chef Ericka Karbelnik, owner of Karbs Catering, is an advocate of U.S. rice and it’s a staple in her menu offerings: “I love the versatility U.S. rice offers my business. It provides a range of globally inspired recipe options, along with a quality that you can taste. Sourcing local ingredients is also very important and U.S. rice is as local as it gets. I love knowing where our ingredients come from, the farmers responsible for growing it, and how it’s grown.”

With ever-changing consumer preferences, chefs and restaurateurs are on the look-out for ingredients that deliver dependable, sustainable, and high-quality outcomes that customers expect.

Traceability and Quality

Not only is U.S.-grown rice the most local choice in Canada, but it offers a consistent high quality because of the strong agricultural standards of U.S. farmers. Food safety is the top priority for U.S. rice producers, and through the use of strong quality assurance and traceability rules, you can trust that U.S.-origin rice is consistently a high-quality product. Even better, the U.S. grows all rice varieties, and the premium selection allows you to consistently deliver a product that meets the dietary needs of most customers and fits any cuisine.

Sustainability 

American rice farmers are committed to protecting and preserving natural resources while working continuously to significantly improve the quality and cleanliness of water leaving their farms. In the past 20 years, these farmers have increased rice yields by 53 per cent while decreasing land use by 35 per cent, energy use by 38 per cent, and water use by 53 per cent – all achieved without the use of GMOs. Additionally, USA Rice is an active participant in Field to Market, an alliance for sustainability across the agriculture and food value chain.  

Nutritious and Gluten Free

Consumers in 2022 want to know exactly what’s in the food they are consuming, plus they want foods jam-packed with nutrients to boot. U.S. rice delivers on these expectations, providing a range of benefits. Rice is a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals, and it’s naturally free of sodium (based on ½ cup serving) and gluten. Rice is also virtually fat free and, more specifically, it contains no cholesterol-raising trans-fat or saturated fat, making it ideal for a variety of dietary needs and good nutrition. 

Versatility

As a dietary staple for more than half of the world’s population, rice roams the globe. Appealing to Canada’s diverse population and culinary curiosity, rice is an essential component of the global flavours today’s patrons love, including Indian, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern cuisines, and more. Rice is the vehicle to carry a variety of flavours, spices, and techniques, providing more opportunity for menu variety and seasonal dishes. 

To learn more about the benefits that U.S. rice can bring to your foodservice operation, visit: https://riceinfo.com/trade/resource-kit/