How Simplot’s Products Can Help Your Healthcare Operation

There’s a clear tension that healthcare operators are experiencing today–if you work in the healthcare space, this probably sounds familiar:

On the one hand, labor shortages are still a core concern. They are one of the top five pain points for healthcare operators today.¹ And it’s not just finding labor that’s the problem, it’s finding labor with the necessary skill and expertise. Indeed, 38% of healthcare operators say recruiting skilled back-of-house labor that can work efficiently is one of their major challenges.² The challenge has only gotten worse since the pandemic: only 24% of operators reported the same issues in 2020.²

At the same time, consumers today want high-quality food, lots of variety, quick and convenient options, healthy and indulgent dishes, and plenty of global cuisines to be offered. And it’s not just a small portion of patrons demanding such variety: 77% of hospital patrons, 74% of long-term care facility patrons, and 76% of senior living patrons want variety each day.

In other words, healthcare patrons want the type of operation that requires a lot of skilled labor, which is in short supply.

Choose products that can do it all

Smart purchasing is essential when it comes to meeting both of these needs. Compromise on variety and you’ll see patron satisfaction scores plummet, while choosing difficult ingredients to work with will result in a frustrated back-of-house team that may not be able to execute them to satisfaction. It’s not surprising that 37% of healthcare operators say that finding ways to reduce labor to meet efficiency goals while also maintaining current service levels and satisfaction is a major challenge.²

That’s why Simplot’s product lines such as RoastWorks® and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) vegetables and fruit have become go-to options in healthcare cafeterias across the country. Simplot® RoastWorks® products that are designated as RTE are designed to deliver flavor, color, and texture (plus, they’re processed in Simplot’s high-care environment to take food safety to the next level). Our RTE options simply need to be thawed or warmed, and they’re ready to serve. Check out our latest video on how customizable station-style dining, leveraging Simplot products, can bring value to your operation while catering to your patron's needs.

Simplot Products for Healthcare Dining:

RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Seasoned Peppers & Onions Blend

Save time on peeling, seeding, chopping, and roasting with this premium blend of peppers and onions that deliver on rich, fresh-roasted flavor.

• Station Ideas: The savory seasoning found on these peppers and onions will be a key addition to a taco, burrito, or other Mexican-inspired station.

RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Simply Sweet Cut Corn

Bright yellow sweet corn with just the right amount of char offers an unbeatable combination of color and flavor – it’s a go-to for a wide range of operators.

• Station Ideas: Flame-roasted sweet corn amps up a salad station (consider everything from a Mexican street corn salad to a fresh garden or California salad) and adds charred flavor and color to stir fry stations.

RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Sweet Corn & Peppers Blend

When you want the best of all worlds, reach for this savory blend of sweet corn, bell peppers, and onions.

• Station Ideas: This combo is also a must on a taco or burrito station, but take it to the next level in a Middle Eastern bowl station or feature it at a BBQ counter.

RoastWorks® RTE Flame-Roasted Fuji Apples

Having variety also means covering all the dayparts, including sweet breakfast items, snacks, and desserts. These crisp-tender slices of flame-roasted Fuji apples are kissed with cinnamon and sugar for the perfect balance between sweet and tart.

• Station Ideas: While they’re a must-have at breakfast and dessert stations, the light sweetness complements proteins for other daypart stations.

For more station inspiration, check out our Healthcare station concepts.

These foundational products can be utilized across all dayparts. They can become the basis for a range of dishes, from menu-ordered options, and grab-and-go dishes to customizable station concepts. Again, that variety is key—not just overall, but day to day, as 71% of hospital patrons say they want food options to change and be updated frequently, while 67% of long-term care and 70% of senior living patrons say the same thing.¹

Simplot RTE RoastWorks® products not only save time and effort, but with a 100% yield, they eliminate any waste associated with chopping and cutting whole fruits and vegetables, not to mention the space and skill needed for storage and prep. That alone saves money, but flame-roasting adds its own price premium (and looks enticing on the station line), improving your bottom line.

Simplot’s RoastWorks® products and RTE items add the variety, choice, color, flavor, and premium quality that patrons want. And they free your staff to do more important tasks while saving money in the long term.

¹ Datassential, Healthcare Segment Guide, August 2024
² Technomic, Healthcare Multi-Client Study, August 2024