Podcasts Health The Produce Moms Podcast EP38: How Jasons Deli is Changing the Way the Food Industry Feeds Your Family

EP38: How Jasons Deli is Changing the Way the Food Industry Feeds Your Family

Published: Feb. 20, 2019, 8 a.m.

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\\u201cWe hope that when anyone comes into a Jason\\u2019s Deli, it feels like family. And they know that the people in their family are making decisions on what food to bring in.\\u201d - Kimberly Andreason (5:37-5:50)

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It\\u2019s not always easy to know where your food comes from when dining out. Parents who want their families to eat nutritious foods need to know that a restaurant truly cares about the produce it serves. Kimberly Andreason is a true food superstar. Her role as Produce Director for Jason\\u2019s Deli has allowed her to play a major role in the health-promoting changes made within the company.

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Kimberly is passionate about the produce industry, and her work with Jason\\u2019s Deli has been an integral part of their mission to promote a higher consumption of whole fruits and vegetables among families. With 275 delis in 28 states, Jason\\u2019s Deli is making a big impact on the future health of today\\u2019s consumers. The company continues to grow, opening between 12 and 15 delis each year with the goal of having a Jason\\u2019s Deli in all 50 states.

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\\u201cIf we wouldn\\u2019t serve it to our families, we wouldn\\u2019t serve it to our customers.\\u201d - Kimberly Andreason (4:13-4:17)

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What makes Jason\\u2019s Deli even more unique is the fact that its founder Joe Tortorice Jr. is still involved in the business. A dedicated family man who\\u2019s passionate about the quality of the food he serves, Joe has been an inspiration to the entire Jason\\u2019s Deli team. Joe believes that if he wouldn\\u2019t serve it to his family, he wouldn\'t serve it to his customers. This principle is at the heart of Jason\\u2019s Deli\\u2019s mission to advance the food industry.

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In 2005, Jason\\u2019s Deli became one of the first restaurants to eliminate trans fats and high fructose corn syrup from their menu. They went on to introduce organic produce in 2006, and now proudly serve healthful items like organic spring mix, spinach, carrots, and apples. More importantly, they\\u2019re always looking to expand their organic produce options over time.

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The restaurant\\u2019s tagline \\u201cIt\\u2019s a Family Thing,\\u201d sums up its approach to business. Their goal is to make dining at Jason\\u2019s Deli feel like a family affair. In fact, its origins are rooted in the family business. Joe Tortorice Jr. grew up in Beaumont, Texas. He worked at his father\\u2019s grocery store where he noticed the construction workers who would come in to buy bread and other ingredients for their sandwich lunches. Joe quickly saw a need he could fulfill. He was soon selling pre-made sandwiches, and in 1974, Jason\\u2019s Deli was born.

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\\u201cEvery single day there\\u2019s an abundant offering of fresh fruits and vegetables at Jason\\u2019s Deli.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (10:04-10:14)

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As the Produce Director, Kimberly Andreason oversees the purchase and coordination of produce for all Jason\\u2019s Deli restaurants throughout the United States. The company works with over 30 produce growers and 33 distributors to determine what items will appear on the menu.

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In 2018 alone, Jason\\u2019s Deli served over 34 million pounds of fresh produce to their customers. This abundance of fruits and vegetables makes it easy for families to get a healthy meal while on the go. Kimberly and the entire Jason\\u2019s Deli team are passionate about fresh produce. At Jason\\u2019s Deli, you know where your food is coming from, and this is just as important to the company as it is to today\\u2019s moms who are feeding their children for the future.

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Some Topics we talk about in this episode:

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  • Introduction // Kimberly Andreason - 0:42
  • Jason\\u2019s Deli\\u2019s Food Values - 3:20
  • Founder\\u2019s Story - 5:55
  • Kimberly\\u2019s Role as the Produce Director - 7:58
  • How Much Produce Does Jason\\u2019s Deli Serve? - 9:10
  • The One Thing to Know About Dining Out at Jason\\u2019s Deli - 12:25
  • Wrap-up - 14:30

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Get the Kroger Opt Up App on the App Store and Google or visit www.optupapp.com for more info

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How to get involved

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!

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