Frozen food distributor Central Foods expands gluten-free range with new pasta product

Leading frozen food distributor Central Foods has boosted its free-from range with a new individual portion of gluten and dairy-free penne pasta.

The ready-cooked penne pasta, which is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians, provides a convenient product for chefs and foodservice operators to use either hot or cold.

“The free-from market is huge and growing all the time,” said Gordon Lauder, managing director of Central Foods. “Diners quite rightly expect high quality free-from dishes to be available, and the penne pasta offers a simple and quick way for chefs and operators to create tasty and appealing menu ideas.

“According to the British Frozen Food Federation, 95% of chefs are now stocking and using frozen ingredients and 82% claimed that frozen food could help with long-term menu planning. It’s very useful as a back-up, in case demand outstrips supply, but there are many other reasons why it makes good sense to have pre-prepared frozen items to hand.

“Pre-prepared frozen food is supplied in a consistent shape, size or portion which helps with presentation and cost controls. Being able to defrost and serve just what is required is key to reducing waste and unnecessary costs. It’s also a great idea for operators to have frozen back-up supplies of free-from items to avoid being caught out when customers have specific dietary requirements.”

The penne pasta, which microwaves to reheat from frozen in around two minutes, is the latest in a wide range of savoury and sweet free-from products supplied by Central Foods to the foodservice sector.

With a defrosted shelf-life of five days, the penne pasta is available in packs of 20 x 200g portions.

Central Foods, which is based at Collingtree near Northampton, supplies more than 220 independent wholesalers, as well as larger national and regional wholesalers. It also supplies to foodservice caterers across the entire foodservice industry, including pubs, hotels, restaurants, staff canteens, schools, hospitals, coffee shops, football grounds and universities.

Offering a one-stop shop to the foodservice sector, Central Foods sources products from around the world and the UK, supplying more than 400 different lines, ranging from meat, bakery items and canapés through to buffet products, desserts and puddings.

The company has steadily grown since it was founded 21 years ago, and recently was named for the first time in a report by Grant Thornton as being in the top 100 companies in Northamptonshire. The company was also a finalist in the Family Business United Family Business of the Year Awards 2017 for the Midlands.