IQF Grains & Legumes K-12 Program - School Nutrition Association

IQF Grains & Legumes
      K-12 Program

IQF Program Overview
Grains & Legumes

 • Labor savings - reduced staff and reduced skill requirements
 • Food cost savings – maximize yield and reduce waste
 • Reduced cook times – easy to reheat, reducing traditional
   cook times by up to 70% with minimal handling
 • Increased food safety - fully cooked, ready-to-eat format
   reduces or eliminates pathogen concerns
 • On trend - popular plant/vegetarian options
 • Additive free - prepared using an
   all-natural process
 • Pandemic safe, convenient packaging
 • Eliminates waste from improper cooking
 • Great for both satellite and onsite kitchen use

Save On Labor, Not Flavor

 • Fully cooked and ready to eat

 • Convenient inner packs

 • No more #10 cans to open –
   safer for employees and easier to open

 • Reduced cook times – easy to reheat,
   reducing traditional cook times by
   up to 70% with minimal handling

 • Flexible preparation – steam, boil or thaw
   then add to your favorite recipes

 • Reduce the need for highly skilled labor
   without sacrificing product quality

 • Individually quick frozen for a consistent
   product, every time

Save Money & Create Less Waste

 • Most products packed in 2lb bags –
   use only what you need and store the rest

 • Fully cooked and ready to eat in the portions
   you need

 • No more scraping food out of #10 cans –
   the entire product transfers easily from the package

 • Easy preparation - less room for error
   and improper cooking = less waste

 • Consistent, delicious taste that your students
   will love to eat

Meal Contributions

MMA or VEG (Legume)
    • Black Beans
    • Garbanzo Beans
    • Pinto Beans
    • Green Lentils

GRN
    • Farro
    • Farro, Red Quinoa & Rice Blend
    • White, Red & Black Quinoa Blend
    • Long Grain Brown Rice
    • Whole Wheat Couscous

Nutrition facts and product formulation statement are based on ½ cup volume
serving

Grain Program Benefits

Non-Negotiables
 • Nut Free
 • Allergy Friendly
 • Kosher Certified
 • Non-GMO
 • Halal Friendly
 • No Added Sodium
 • Gluten Free
 • Additive Free
 • Plant Based Protein

 • Future line expansions to include
   Organic items

IQF Items Now Available

Grains & Legumes
618215   White Rice
618234   Brown Rice
618235   Black Beans
618233   Pinto Beans
618236   Garbanzo Beans
618237   Couscous
618222   White, Red, and Black Quinoa Blend
618590   Brown Rice, Red Quinoa & Farro Blend
620087   Green Lentils
618538   Farro
619830   Whole Wheat Couscous

K12 IQF Program Benefits

How The IQF Process Works

 • Bulk product is received and goes through
   a vigorous quality check

 • The materials are cleaned with destoners, screens, air
   blowers and optical sorters

 • Once cleaned, the products are processed
   to meet customer specification

 • Each product will freeze in less than one minute
   in high volume IQF freezing lines

 • Lastly, product is QA tested, packed
   and stored

Ready To Eat

 • This product line is Ready To Eat (RTE) which means the
   ingredients are edible without further preparation

 • Fully cooked and inspected with high standards and quality
   control means you can use this product without high heat
   treatment and use them in salads, hummus, burritos, etc.
   without fear of pathogens

 • Products must be stored at 0° F and should be used in full
   once removed from the freezer

 • Avoid product movement from in and out of each freezer
   to ensure proper food handling and safety

 • 18 months frozen shelf life

Why Convert?

Conversion To IQF From Canned Beans Or Internal Cooking

                        Frozen                     Canned                              Cooking

 Texture                Customizable               One size fits all                   Customizable

 Flavor                 Customizable               Processing aids will alter flavor   Customizable

 Color                  Natural                    May vary due to processing aids     Natural

 Salt                   No salt added              Added                               No salt added

 Prep Time              None                       Time to open cans*                  Up to 24 hrs

 Consistency           Yes                         Yes                                 Can vary between kitchens**

*Time to open cans – time consuming and safety hazard for employees
** Consistency = less waste and saved labor time

Positive Customer Feedback

                     “Cooked perfectly, Not starchy or sticky at all”

                       “Lentils held up well. Had a good texture.”

                    “Excellent, Great texture straight out of the bag”

               “Wonderful texture easily added in hot or cold application”

             “This product was cooked really nicely, the lentils were al dente
          and had a nice earthy flavor. I sauteed the lentils with the vegetables
            and curry and the lentils did not break down and become mushy.
            They absorbed the flavor of the curry and remained snappy still.”

Menu Inspirations

 • Franks & Beans

 • Cheesy Farro “Mac” Bowl

 • Couscous “Spaghetti” Dots & Meatballs

 • Chocolate Cherry Rice Pudding

 • Quinoa Veggie Burger

 • Lentil Sloppy Joe

 • Couscous Greek Salad

 • Chicken Fajita Grains Bowl

 • Lentil Chili

Next Steps

             Let’s Get Cooking!

             For You
              ✓ Identify top items to sample

             For National Food Group
              ✓ Provide requested samples and suggest any other labor
                saving items and pricing

             Together
              ✓ Set follow up call to discuss how this program can help your
                kitchen evolve

IQF Program Video

                    Click Here To Watch Now

•Thank You
 •nationalfoodgroup.com