At AGAR, we have never had a formal marketing department, but certainly our best form of recognition is our trucks.  How many people do you meet that don’t know who we are and then the next time they see you they tell you they see our trucks everywhere?  Well, new trucks have rolled in—114 of them in different sizes. 

We have been busy thinking about our message and we have many.  AGAR serves many markets:  ethnic, pizza and sandwich shops, Asian, Latino is a growing market, retail markets, pubs, family restaurants, white tablecloth, assisted living facilities and the list continues.  We supply many lines of products, from meats and seafood to grocery and nonperishables.  An amazing team of associates serve customers in six New England states.  We are family-owned and operated, local and SOMBA certified (women-owned).  That is a lot of messaging!  So we picked a big “AGAR” again because that logo has become our identity. 

We are specialists in what we do, we have served New England since 1940 and we are in many different markets.  So, the truck decals are going up, and the backs of the doors will have at least seven different images.  There will be a Bullpen truck and some Nautifish trucks.  We have made a commitment to a new fleet of trucks and a fresh look for them.  We are The Top of New England’s Food Chain!

September is food safety education month and I know what you’re saying. It’s the end of September. You’re right. But food safety is not only a monthly thing but an everyday thing so we’re not so late at all.

If you run any type of food service establishment, you know that the top priority is to keep your customers safe and healthy. You do this with a clean kitchen and safe food handling procedures that every one follows.

One piece of advice I give you is to visit the Serv Safe website and download anything you can on food safety. Distribute it to your staff and have regular updates with your staff on the importance of food safety. The last thing you want as a food service operator is to have an issue regarding food safety or contamination. It could literally put you out of business.

This wholesale food distributor is not only that but we offer an entire line of cleaning products, and anything you need to make your kitchen safe. Check out the video below and then if you need any advice, hit that Serv Safe website and then give us a call.

If you missed our Fall Food Show this past week at Twin Rivers, you still have one more shot to see one of the best Food Shows in the business. (Wait, people are telling us these are the best food shows in the business.)You’ll have to come and judge for yourself.

We have a bunch of photos from this past week’s food show on our Facebook page so please click on over and “Like” the AGAR Facebook page.

Anyway, with a rock and roll theme and over 100 new products, how can you not show up? Our next food show is in Danvers on Tuesday September 20 at the Crowne Plaza. Details can be found here; http://www.agarsupply.com/FoodShowMain2011.htm

Not only will you get the chance to see these 100 new products, but you’ll get to spend time with our team of experts and develop new ways to save money, make money and build your business up.

We recently saw a staggering set of facts about how many independently run restaurants have gone out of business in the past year. With the help of our experts, you don’t have to be one of them. Take the time out to stop by and find what you need to build your business.

I heard more than a handful of restaurant operators and foodservice pros last week say this was the best food show they have ever been to. Let’s hope you agree. I’ll be on the floor all day so please come by and say hello and let our team help you.

I’ll be real brief on this one. We have two food shows in the next couple of weeks and if you have one reason to come it would be to find new ways to build your business and increase your customer base. But did you know that we’ll be showing off over 100 new food products at these shows?

From center of the plate, deserts, new side dishes and a whole host of other products that will help you build new customers. I know from my years in the kitchen that a good chef is always looking for new products and new ways to generate new business. These products will help you do that.

Paul and I had a chance to talk about what you’ll see at the upcoming food shows. Take a look at our recent video and then make sure you are at the following food shows;

September 13, 2011
Twin River Casino
100 Twin River Rd
Lincoln, RI 02865

September 20, 2011
Crowne Plaza
50 Ferncroft Rd.
Danvers, MA

Our next food show is less than a week away with our first of two shows coming to Twin River Casino in Rhode Island. Why should you be there?

Well, there are just too many reasons to list here but if we had to choose the most important ones, I would have to go with finding ways to cut costs and improve your profits.

Also, we are unveiling a ton of new products at this show that you can only see if you come. That’s reason enough if you ask me…

It’s no secret that times are still tough and we need to find ways to stay in business. Customers are looking for value and new menu items and if you can solve those two issues, you’ll hopefully have customers for life.

Our experts can help you find new products, suggestions for altering or replacing the products you are using now and come up with clear strategies for setting you miles apart from your competition.

If you can’t make Twin Rivers on September 13, make sure you hit our Danvers show on September 20. All the info is here;

I recently had the chance to talk with our own Paul Elias in the Test Kitchen about what you can expect at the food shows. Take a look…