Moana Ho, a United Trimen Account Manager, compares back-to-school collegiate kitchen prep to planting a garden. It’s all about careful planning and finding efficiencies where you can. “If you organize your kitchen in an intentional way; with a productive flow, abundant inventory, and efficient products, it all just works more like an ecosystem. If you have an intelligent system and a smart way of organizing yourself and you’ve planned it appropriately, you can really save a lot of time and money nowadays.”
See Moana’s advice for proactive fall planning in college and university kitchens.
Apt & Aplenty
When sharing product suggestions for fall prep, Moana starts with a simple set of defining characteristics: appropriate, available, and affordable. “Schools are looking for reliable, properly branded products — and plenty of them. If they invest in a discontinued product, they’ll need to phase out a lot of it when it comes time to replace missing or broken inventory.” Moana mentions another cost-saving route to consider: “Mixing in more economical products with some that are more high-end can help elevate the overall look and match an aesthetic without breaking the bank.”
Early Event Planning
Whenever possible, Moana emphasizes the benefit of planning ahead for annual events. “I like to ask if educational organizations have any special occasions to host throughout the school year. That way, I can make them aware of any lead times that might impact supply availability.” Think academic conferences or parent weekends. These events can put a serious strain on inventory if they’re unprepared or don’t have the necessary equipment. “I’d rather see them get ahead of the events so it’s one less thing they need to think about when the school year is in full swing and the deadlines are looming.”
And if the organization isn’t sure exactly what they need, United Trimen can help with that too. “Our equipment experts do site visits to take measurements and discuss the necessary requirements. They’ll check dimensions of the space, confirm voltage specifications — whatever’s needed to get the job done right.”
Safety (Supplies) First
Food safety is a year-round concern for any kitchen, but Moana was sure to mention that educational institutions should check their inventory of food safety testing supplies before school starts. She speaks from experience, having worked in the produce industry as a quality assurance manager, among other roles. “Whether it’s tools for temperature checking or sanitary cleaning, it’s vital to check supplies and order more well before the first day of class.” Moana also suggests testing tools like thermometers and probes to confirm they still work after a summer of sitting. “Little things like wipes to clean your probes or latex gloves in the correct size for your cooks; these things protect your staff, students, and everyone you serve.”
Invest in Efficiency
Moana underscores the value behind equipment upgrades for those institutions looking to save time and energy where they can. “On the equipment side of things, people are looking for efficiencies — and manufacturers are definitely building the equipment to deliver them.” She uses ice machines as an example of this. “You can purchase a more affordable model, but if you’re able to invest in a more efficient one, you could save money on energy, water, and even space.”
Technology in kitchen equipment is also creating a changing landscape, as manufacturers develop products that transform how kitchen staff are assigned to different tasks and how work is distributed. For example, if a high-speed oven can produce consistent nachos, it frees up kitchen staff to focus on other tasks that require human skills, judgment, and creativity.
Ace Your Kitchen Prep This School Year
Preparing ahead of or early in the first semester helps set you up for success and takes a lot of stress off your staff. Starting now, a thorough inventory and support from United Trimen’s team of specialists can go a long way toward helping you feel better prepared in the long run.
Not sure where to start? United Trimen specialists are here to help you find the right fit for your individual needs. Contact us at sales@unitedtrimen.com or call 800-461-0000.
