Hello again to all of our Friends of Soft Stuff! Aren’t you thrilled to be turning the corner on winter and heading toward warmer spring weather? No doubt many of you, just like your customers, have resolved to be healthy and we support you all the way as we deliver the products you want and need.
As we mentioned in a recent post, functional beverages are one of this year’s fastest growing trends. In addition to eating clean, people can supplement their healthy lifestyles by drinking the good stuff. Just like the trainers always say, don’t drink empty calories!
Think of vitamin water, organic juices, ready-to-drink teas, and milk made from sources other than animal proteins (which are a significant factor in producing greenhouse gases). Sparkling waters are in fashion now that you can make them at home.
The market for functional beverages is exploding. Research suggests that the market in the US for these drinks will increase over the next five years, with Coca-Cola (and their Honest Tea brand) leading the way. Zenith Global reports that the RTD tea market grew by 40% from 2011 to 2016, with an average annual growth rate of 7%. That’s a hefty increase that you don’t want to miss.
While you are choosing to serve and drink healthy beverages, you can also help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint and reducing waste associated with plastic bottles. Trendy supermarkets allow customers to bring empty bottles for refills or exchange empty ones for full bottles for a discounted price. Glass milk bottles are even making a comeback reducing costs and waste, promoting recycling, and of course, and encouraging people to drink the good stuff.
Your customers and guests want delicious, healthy beverage choices. Here are some of the ones we love:
Coconut water quenches your thirst without a ton of calories or sugar. Get the sweet, nutty taste that you’ve seen all the cool celebrities promoting. Athletes say that it keeps them super hydrated. They need electrolytes and so do you!
Sparkling water is a treat you can make at home with the Drinkmate carbonated beverage maker. It sits right on your kitchen counter and is easy to use so you can have bubbly water anytime.
Oat milk comes from soaking steel cut oats (which Oprah raves about!) in water and then blending and straining the mixture. Bon Appetit magazine calls oat milk “the cashmere of winter drinks.” Oh, my – sounds decadent and luxurious! How could you resist?
Ready-to-drink (RTD) teas come in some amazing flavor combinations. Try teas infused with passion fruit or jasmine hibiscus. Steaz has a cactus water flavor of green tea. We have even seen a tea – Ito En’s Matcha Love – that features a pina colada flavor. Sounds perfect to sip by the pool.
And don’t forget the nectar of the gods! Dionysus himself would love the new environmentally friendly wines. Try organic (non-GMO) or those that are certified SIP – Sustainability in Practice wines. These growers use fewer pesticides and fertilizers, so you feel better about the planet while you enjoy your favorite vino. Look for the SIP logo or ask for it at your local wine shop.
Be ready for this explosion of flavor.
Don’t forget to check out our full line catalog, accessible on our website.
About Soft Stuff
Every day, Soft Stuff Distributors connects savory specialty foods, soups, desserts, pastries and baked goods with Mid-Atlantic hotels, restaurants, conference centers, and universities. Our consistent recognition for high-quality delivery has earned our company a 99.2% Quality Assurance Rating from Avendra — one of the most respected names in the hospitality industry.
We understand how important our performance is for your business — and your customers.
For our 2500+ customers, we strive to ensure that every order is accurate and exceeds your expectations.