59% of diners are more likely to purchase an item on a menu if described as seasonal¹.

WHY SEASONAL MENU PLANNING?

  1. Cost Efficiency:

    In-season produce = lower costs. Leverage these cost savings for other initiatives, improve profit margins, and offer competitive pricing to customers.

  2. Keep it Fresh:

    Take advantage of fresh seasonal flavors to enhance the dining experience and empower staff to experiment with new menu items. Seasonal produce in vegetarian, flexitarian, or vegan options can help you attract a wider range of dietary needs.

    Fresh vegetables laid out at a market

  3. Marketing Advantage:

    Create hype, attract new customers, and encourage patrons to return with limited-time offers and special items that highlight seasonal produce.

    Fried rice being tossed in a frying pan

  4. Eco-Friendly And Community-Oriented Values:

    Reduce your carbon footprint by shortening delivery routes from across the sea to down the street. Support the farmers who live and work in your community.

    Man holding freshly harvested onions walking through a field on a farm

49% of consumers think a seasonal menu is more appetizing².

HOW TO MANAGE SEASONAL INGREDIENTS

Seasonal menu planning requires a bit of thought, but it’s all worth it in the end. 

An older woman carrying a wooden box of freshly picked eggplants

BEFRIEND SUPPLIERS

Your local suppliers are more like long-term partners — they’ll give you expertise, consistent deliveries, and ideas on maximizing their produce. If your business relies more on distributors, befriend your sales reps, and be sure to ask them for lists of seasonal ingredients.

Establishing regular communication will keep you informed about availability and pricing, and ensures suppliers and distributors are in the loop about changing inventory. If you can, visit them at their farm or office and personalize your interactions with them. The more you nourish your relationship with them, the more benefits you’ll both reap.

A person pouring water out of a large pot into jars with cucumbers in them

KEEP YOUR FRESH PRODUCE FRESH

Maximize the shelf life of seasonal ingredients with the proper techniques. You can extend the life of foods from 1-2 months to 6-12 months by ensuring optimal cold storage temperatures and humidity levels³.

And try preservation methods like canning, pickling, freezing, or drying to extend the life of your ingredients past peak season.

Plate with poached eggs, salad and avocado

BE TRUE TO YOU

Consider integrating seasonal ingredients as a side to top-sellers or testing the waters with limited-time offers or menu items. See how people like them, make a note, and next year, bring it back — customers will look forward to it.

SELL SEASONAL

While the word “seasonal” practically sells itself, here are ways to make it even more enticing to customers.

Variety of cooked dishes arranged on Ceramic Plates

LET YOUR MENU TELL A STORY

Highlight your suppliers’ names and how ingredients were grown. Share personal stories, the process of creating new dishes, and the importance of sustainable foods. Pepper your menu with words like “locally sourced,” “organically raised,” “biodynamic,” and “certified organic.”

Chef standing up talking to two guests sitting dow

GET YOUR REGULARS INVOLVED

Regular customers are great at helping verify your menus. Whether a formal gathering or an off-the-cuff share, let them try new seasonal dishes and ask for their feedback. If you get them excited, they’ll be happy to share the news with their friends.

Hand holding a cellphone taking a photo of their meal

GET THE WORD OUT

Great new dishes need PR too — get the word out on social media, through your staff, and on your menu. Get patrons excited with a newsletter and update your Google Business Profile. Host special events about the flavors of the season, and partner with local breweries and wineries to pair with your dishes.

38% of consumers are more likely to choose a restaurant offering locally-sourced foods over one that doesn’t⁴.

Leverage seasonal menus to open up new opportunities for your business and your customers by thinking local and reaching new heights.

Sources: [1] GrubHub [2] Menuzen [3] Fooddocs [4] Restaurant.org