VVS Canteen

The timeless comfort of a grilled cheese sandwich is unparalleled – a classic that transcends generations. But why stick to the basics when you can embark on a culinary adventure with gourmet variations that redefine this iconic delight? Give these a try!

The Classic Comfort:

Start with the basics – buttery, golden-brown bread hugging the perfect blend of sharp cheddar and creamy American cheese. Simple, yet forever satisfying.

Mediterranean Magic:

Transport your taste buds with a Mediterranean twist. Add feta, sundried tomatoes, and a sprinkle of oregano between two slices, creating a grilled cheese that echoes the flavors of the Aegean.

Spicy Jalapeño Jack:

Kick up the heat with slices of spicy jalapeño and pepper jack cheese. This variation adds a zesty punch, making every bite an explosion of flavor for the daring palate.

Caprese Revival:

Bring the Caprese salad into sandwich form by layering mozzarella, tomato slices, fresh basil, and a balsamic glaze between slices—a grilled masterpiece inspired by Italian simplicity.

Pesto Perfection:

Elevate your grilled cheese with a smear of basil pesto. Combine it with melty provolone, sun-dried tomatoes, and a handful of arugula for a sandwich that sings with vibrant flavors.

BBQ Bacon Bonanza:

Satisfy your carnivorous cravings by incorporating crispy bacon and a smoky barbecue sauce into your grilled cheese. It’s a hearty, indulgent treat for lovers of savory delights.

VVS Marked the end of 2023 with 45 plant-wide holiday feeds across 12 states, ending with over 90,000 meals served in just over 30 days! Providing daily meals to some of the most critical frontline and essential workers nationwide has been an honor. We want to extend a huge “Thank You” to all our clients and customers for their continued support and dedication to feeding America. Thank you for being family. Happy Holidays!

Shane Banahan and Jaren Almendarez were recently crowned the VVS Fried Chicken Champions of Texas! Shane is the Site Manager of the cafeteria at the Tyson Plant in Vernon, Texas, and Jaren is the supervisor at that location. Voters considered appearance, quality, and taste when deciding a winner in the blind taste test. Shane & Jaren came out on top, with site managers & cooks taking part from almost all VVS Texas locations. Congratulations, Shane & Jaren, your cuisine reigns supreme!

The hotdog is almost as American as apple pie! So, whether you love a standard ketchup and mustard combo or drag your Chicago Dog through the garden with all the toppings under the sun, try branching out this summer with some crazy topping combos that might change the way you look (and taste!) hotdogs forever!

Ball Game Dog – Caramel Corn & Cheese Sauce

We topped this dog with our favorite things from a summer ball game – hotdogs, nachos, and Cracker Jacks! Sprinkle on some Caramel Corn and then douse the whole thing in cheese sauce, play ball!

Peanut Butter Bacon Dog

Try it once, and it all unexpectedly comes together! Use a toasted hotdog bun for this one, then add mayo to the bun, peanut butter to the dog, shallots, shredded cheese, and bacon over everything else – you can thank me later!

Sloppy Dogs

Get out your favorite sloppy joe recipe and top that dog! Then go crazy with your favorite conventional toppings from relish and ketchup to mustard and peppers.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese Dogs

Everyone loves mac & cheese – throw it on a dog! Then add chicken tossed in your favorite buffalo sauce over the mac and drizzle the whole thing with homemade ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Sweet & Salty Dog

The ever-ongoing debate, what does pineapple belong or not belong on? We think it belongs on this dog with bacon and teriyaki sauce as well! These flavor combinations will take you on a sweet and salty ride that is as unexpected as it is good!

In June, VVS gave away over 25 grills as part of our Great Grill Giveaway! We had winners in every account, each taking home a Blue Rhino Stainless Steel 3-Burner Liquid Propane Gas Grill! A big thank you to everybody who entered. Follow us on Facebook to keep tabs on upcoming giveaways and promotions! @VVSinc

Does your cafeteria or break space need an upgrade? From concept to design to installation, VVS can help do it all!

The right break room options can directly affect everything from your employee’s productivity and creativity to your ability to retain and recruit top talent. Depending on your company’s needs, deciding on a Cafeteria, Micro Market, Pantry, Coffee, or Vending services can be challenging. VVS can help break down your options so you understand what’s best for your employees. For a more in-depth understanding of the available options, check out this quick read from our blog on choosing the right option for you: https://vvscanteen.com/which-option-is-right-for-you/

We help create remarkable spaces, and we can help you make sense of the process involved, too. Reach out to us today for a free consultation. For another quick read, check out our blog post on Creating Great Spaces: https://vvscanteen.com/creating-great-spaces/

About Mushrooms

Did you know that mushrooms aren’t plants, but rather, they’re considered part of the fungi kingdom? Even though they don’t have leaves, roots, or seeds, and don’t need light to grow, the U.S. Department of Agriculture still classifies them as vegetables. “Why?” you ask? They provide many of the same nutritional attributes as vegetables, bridging core food groups.

Many mushrooms lack the color that other vegetables have, but don’t let that fool you – they still have many nutritional benefits. They’re an excellent source of copper, and vitamin B (folate, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid), which help collect energy from food and form red blood cells that keep our bodies and brains healthy! Mushrooms are the only and best vegan source of vitamin D when exposed to UV rays.

In addition, they contain potassium, fiber, and vitamin C, which can contribute to heart health! Potassium assists in regulating blood pressure, decreasing the risk of hypertension, maintaining fluids and electrolyte balance, and the presence of fiber helps conditions such as type II diabetes.

Why Mushrooms are SUPERFOODS

So, you may be wondering, “Why is the mushroom a SUPERFOOD?”. Because mushrooms contain one magical antioxidant known as selenium! Selenium aids in supporting the immune system by preventing damage to the cells and tissues. Another reason mushrooms are considered a superfood is their ability to destroy viruses including flu, smallpox, salmonella, E. Coli, and yeast. Lectin binds to abnormal/cancer cells and labels them for destruction by the immune system.

How to get maximum nutrients from mushrooms

Our digestive system can’t break down the compound that makes up the cell walls of mushrooms – known as chitin. So, to dissolve the good stuff from within the cells of the mushroom, it’s recommended to expose it to high heat (broil, sauté, deep-fry, or bake) to melt it down – ensuring that we’re unlocking their flavor and getting all the nutrition and health effects we’re looking for.

The good news is, besides the numerous health benefits, mushrooms are 90% water, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low in sodium, and full of fiber – so you can’t go wrong with including mushrooms in your daily routine!

Recipe Inspiration

Need some inspiration for dishes that incorporate mushrooms? Check out these simple recipes!

https://www.thekitchn.com/savory-french-toast-22931769
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/mushroom-cuban-quesadillas
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/portobello-mushroom-and-red-pepper-pizza
https://goop.com/recipes/marinated-mushrooms/

VVS is keeping it “on-trend” for 2020! Knowing it keeps our customers engaged and excited, we invest a lot of time, energy and thought into our marketing calendar. Although we don’t have the time (or space) to lay out our whole calendar here, we hope the following will outline our food vision for 2020!

Weekly Specials

VVS offers 52 weekly specials throughout the year! Check out a couple of our upcoming favorites below and follow us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on what we are offering each week!

Premium Chicken Sandwiches were all the rage in 2019 and will continue to dominate the fast-food and fast-casual restaurant landscape in 2020. Check out VVS’ take on the Premium Chicken Sandwich in February as we offer 4 weeks of Premium Chicken Sandwich specials that include specialty sauces, great toppings and a breaded chicken breast that is out of this world!

Comfort food will always hold a special spot in our hearts and nothing is more comforting than Mac & Cheese! Grown-up Mac & Cheese combines everything you loved as a kid with the tastes you crave as an adult. Mac & Cheeseology features perfectly melted cheese mixed with premium ingredients and sauces. Look for 4 specialty Mac & Cheeseology Bowls offered over 4 weeks during July.

Featured Fridays

We have 12 months of great promotions lined up for our made-to-order Fresh Grill Action Station! From Street Tacos & Philly Steak Sandwiches to an Italian Tour with custom-built pasta dishes, Featured Fridays keeps its menu flexible and aligned with current food trends. Stop by the Fresh Grill every Friday to see what’s trending next!

Celebrate National

2020 is going to be a year of celebrating in all VVS cafeterias with a Celebrate National promotion for every month! Look for great deals and our special twist on donuts during National Donut Day or prepare yourself for how many different ways we can make nachos on National Nacho Day. Celebrate with us in 2020 and experience how we keep our cafeterias fun and exciting!

SUPERFOODS

Our 2020 SUPERFOODS program is built to help educate and offer customers healthy options based on trending ingredients. Each month a new SUPERFOOD is featured including some great options for 2020 that include Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes and Citrus. Look for SUPERFOODS incorporated into our daily menu items and featured on our Farmer’s Basket Salad Bar.

Interested in learning more about our cafeterias? Check us out on Facebook or feel free to call us at 800-662-2924.

The right breakroom options can have a direct effect on everything from your employee’s productivity and creativity to your ability to retain and recruit top talent. Let’s dive in and find out what options are right for you!

Dining Service (cafeterias)

Employee Count: 2,000+

Usually reserved for accounts with 2,000+ employees, Dining Service or Cafeterias, offer food options for accounts with employees not allowed to leave campus, do not have the time to leave campus or are looking to offer employees the ultimate in food options. Good cafeterias breed conversation, collaboration and inspire teamwork. Successful companies know that getting employees talking and brainstorming is the cornerstone of great ideas and growth. Centralized, collaborative locations such as cafeterias with warm atmospheres, comfortable seating and energizing food can directly impact a company’s productivity and growth.
Check out our previous post about cafeteria design and its impact on your employees.

Micro Market

Employee Count: 100+

Micro Markets are a great option for businesses not large enough for a cafeteria but looking to offer the same type of options and variety that a cafeteria affords. Micro Markets use cashier-less technology to offer your employees an open market in which to choose food and drink. Without the constraints of traditional vending machines, a Micro Market can offer snacks, drinks and food in all different shapes and sizes. This larger array of products and food options helps to keep employees onsite and engaged.
Read our post on Micro Markets.

Pantry Service

Employee Count: Any Size

You need the upper-hand in employee retention and recruitment! Turnover is costly and today’s employees are looking for companies with benefits. Pantry Service provides an array of snacks, drinks and in some cases pre-packaged food items billed directly to the business each month. In addition to increasing retention, providing free food, drinks and snacks can refresh and revitalize your current staff, which in turn can help to drive productivity. Choose the program that is right for you, fits your budget and helps to accomplish your employee satisfaction goals.
Learn more about Pantry Service.

Coffee Service

Employee Count: Any Size

Can you do anything before your first cup of coffee in the morning? We didn’t think so and neither can your employees. Coffee is the cornerstone of any good breakroom program and if breakroom programs are fuel for your employees, coffee is the main entree AND the side! What do we mean by that? If you offer no other options to your employees, offer coffee! Coffee inspires, fuels and pushes your employees throughout the day. It helps to build conversation and inspiration. It is the main entrée! Have a Micro Market, Cafeteria or Vending program already? Compliment these programs with a side of coffee! Even the best entrees are made better by a great side dish!
Check out how to choose the right coffee for your team.

Vending

Employee Count: 100+

Micro Markets have had a big impact on breakroom culture but Vending still has a role to play. Accounts with breakrooms that may be accessible by the public, have large contractor populations or are just not yet comfortable with the open market concept, vending will always be there. Vending can offer employees great snack, drink and food options and when complimented with a full coffee program, provide well-rounded options for any account. When making important decisions about your employee’s welfare, work with a company that does it all. From Micro Markets, Coffee and Vending to full-service Cafeterias and Pantries, VVS does it all. Give us a call today for a FREE assessment of your breakroom options.

Keto, Paleo, Vegan, Atkins, Calorie Deficit… healthy means so many different things to so many different people that it begins to get hard figuring out how best to reach your employees when it comes to healthy options. Our SUPERFOODS program is built to help educate and offer customers healthy options without the limitations that specific macro guidelines create, allowing us to reach a larger audience. This month during October we featured Hot Teas in our cafeterias along with educational materials that highlighted the health benefits of drinking Tea.

Tea is an excellent source of antioxidants, contains less caffeine than coffee and has been shown to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke in those who drink it regularly. We encouraged our customers to replace a cup of coffee with Hot Tea by placing the educational materials and Hot Tea options at our coffee stations. Check out our list of monthly featured SUPERFOODS below.

• January – Leafy Greens
• February – Yogurt
• March – Fish
• April – Citrus
• May – Mushrooms
• June – Berries
• July – Sweet Potato
• August – Tomato
• September – Beets
• October – Tea
• November – Kale
• December – Apples