Welcome to this series where we cover the most common mistakes suppliers make when calling on national foodservice accounts. This month we’ll discuss mistake No. 3, which is, "Not building relationships beyond purchasing."

“Last September, an operator approached us to help alleviate some labor challenges they were experiencing,” notes Elise Carlson, CFS, King & Prince senior research and development manager. “They were taking frozen, cellophane-wrapped cod, thawing it and then cutting it into pieces. Kitchen staff then cut the cod by hand so not all pieces were exactly the same, which is a desirable attribute."

Prepared Foods talks Chef Todd Ketterman, culinary manager at Reser’s Inc. Reser’s, Beaverton, Ore., is one the nation’s largest manufacturers of refrigerated salads, side dishes, sauces and more for supermarket in-store deli departments as well as commercial and non-commercial foodservice operators.

Mars, Incorporated announced the hiring of Dr. Maria Velissariou as the new global corporate research & development (R&D) vice president and chief science officer. Dr. Velissariou joins Mars on Sept. 13 and will lead Mars' enterprise-wide approach to quality and food safety, scientific & regulatory affairs and deliver Mars' R&D strategy in partnership with its business segments.

Available in a variety of formats—including powdered or ready-to-drink; and sizes from shots to full meal replacements—there is a collagen-fortified beverage form and function to quench the thirst of every demographic.

AAK USA, Inc. used IFT to debut AkoPlanet, a new global brand for plant-based foods. It gives formulators a real-life solution for plant-based food and beverages.

Make plans to attend the New Products Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Chicago’s Swissotel. Think you know enough about the new product development process?