Go Beyond Table Stakes to Engage Your Community

Autumn carries an inspirational energy as new routines are solidified. People are on the lookout for food and ideas that fuel the lifestyle they desire.

Schedule a tasting sampler when fall events are already scheduled, so you can head into the new season with a stronger sense of what’s possible and what your dining community really wants.

Gather for Feedback

One of the first considerations is how you show up. There’s no shortcut to being present in the cafeteria or dining hall with those you serve.

While a larger team can handle the logistics, consider having at least one director, manager, or chef on the floor who can serve as a direct line to the back of the house.

Choose Your Setup: A Quick Guide

Details such as the exact location, timing, and promotion of your tasting event will depend on your community, but you can follow these general principles to help streamline planning.

Be Purposeful: Define the problem the new item will solve. From there, test and determine the best-fit applications for your menu. For example, when testing SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter, you could ask:

• What worrisome ingredients could it replace?
• How does it work best as a standalone item?
• What are the most appealing ways to describe it?

Be Clear: Have a simple rating or voting system for new items, like “Love It” / “Not for Me”, to help quickly track a large volume of feedback in a short period.

Be Visible: Find a location tucked near the largest volume of traffic that doesn't interfere with service.

Be Hungry: Choose a standard mealtime when everyone’s ready to eat.

Be Simple: Choose a simple complementary ingredient for the item you’re sampling that won’t overwhelm or distract.

Be Contextual: Add a little context but not too much. For example, you could say: “We’re adding allergy-friendly options this season and would love your opinion. Would you order this for lunch? Why or why not?”

Be Educational: Choose one key point that’s most relevant to your menu and community right now, such as the number of diners with food allergies and the need for allergy-friendly menus.

Festive Fall Flavors to Sample

Sunny Honey Lime Sauce on Soba Noodles

Functional Shoutout: Complete Plant-Based Protein
Sampling Tips: Prepare dressed noodles in small paper cups, or serve the sauce separately for dunking
Fun Fall Theme: Zombie Noodles

Spicy Chocolate SunButter® Smoothie

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Probiotics
Sampling Tips: Have three levels of heat and ask: Which heat is just right?
Fun Fall Theme: Make it a PSL by adding pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice

Comforting Chocolate SunButter® Shiitake Beef Stew

Functional Shoutout: Protein, Antioxidants, Immune Support
Sampling Tips: See who can guess the secret ingredient ... chocolate!
Fun Fall Theme: Display some of the stew in a cooked, carved pumpkin

Talk About Health

During tastings, ask: Did you know?

Sunflower seeds are a nutrient-rich source of vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.

SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter contains more vitamins and minerals than most nut butters. It has the triple power of protein, fiber, and healthy fats from the super sunflower seed to support good health.

Plus:

• One-third less saturated fat than most peanut butters
• The same amount of protein and more vitamin E when compared to leading brands of peanut and tree nut spreads
• High in iron, phosphorus, and zinc
  

SunButter® Sampling Tips

When testing SunButter® Sunflower Seed Butter, simple does it!

• Explain that it’s Peanut Free and Tree Nut Free
• Tell them it’s made with sunflower seeds
• Highlight a key health feature, like a good source of fiber and 12+ micronutrients
• Let them experience the toasty taste

Give it a try!

General nutrition statements are examples only, not actual health claims