Pre-cut vs. Un-cut — Savings and Benefits

Food Cost Savings

Cost comparisons between fresh-cut produce and commodity produce requires the inclusion of those additional costs associated with the conversion of a commodity product into a finished product. When you are buying bulk produce, you become a processor whether you realize it or not, which can be a dramatic cost consideration for food service operations and large volume institutions.

Hidden Commodity Costs

• Pre-processing activities for raw material (ordering, receiving, inspecting, storing, and training)
• Interim processing (cleaning, restocking, disposing of trimmings, washing, storing finished product, supervision, and training)
• Post-processing labor (waste removal and sanitation, work station clean-up, employee hygiene, handling finished product, determining the forecasted needs for the finished product, and training)
• Other labor costs (scheduled and non-scheduled breaks, interruptions, delays, downtime, slowdowns, redoing work, prepping too little or too much, on-the-job injuries, and continuous training of new kitchen staff)
• Equipment costs (the purchase and continual maintenance of expensive processing equipment)
• Peace of Mind (Worker's Comp Claims)
• Lifting heavy boxes, cartons, or bags of bulk produce (no fresh-cut produce box is more than 20 pounds)
• No peeling, slicing, or chopping
• Food Safety
• 100 percent natural, no preservatives or additives
• Washed and double washed, which kills bacteria, fungi, and yeast
• Packaged in a permeable bag, which allows product to breathe and release the gases that would otherwise deteriorate the product in the bag, thereby extending product shelf life

Pre-cut Produce Positive Points

• Pre-cut is washed, cut-to-size and ready ot serve
• 100 percent natural, no preservatives or additives
• End-user receives only fresh net-product, no waste
• Pre-cut produce is easy ot use, no training needed
• Reduced labor reduces workers' compensation claims
• Consistent cut-product size, shape and quality
• Less storage space required for pre-cut produce boxes
• Reduced volume of packaging (boxes, etc.) to dispose of which reduces your refuse volume and refuse bill
• After opening, rmeove air, reseal product in original bag
• Product must be stored at 34 to 36 degrees F
• Use-by dates clearly displayed as product rotation guide
• At least 24 pre-cut products to choose from