Metz & Associates, Ltd., a leading dining and environmental services company, has started offering sushi in several of its dining operations, and is quickly learning that America’s love affair with sushi is going strong.

“We like to keep our dining menus innovative and exciting,” said Craig Phillips, vice president of purchasing, Metz & Associates, Ltd. “We conducted some market analysis and learned that many students were frequenting a sushi restaurant, so we knew there was already an interest.”

This past spring, the Metz team at Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh began offering an array of sushi, including California Rolls, Spicy Tuna Rolls, Tempura Asparagus Rolls and Veggie Rolls, twice per month as a cash item in the dining hall. Another popular item that was introduced as a dessert selection was the Rice Krispie Sushi, which is similar to a Rice Krispie treat.

“The first day we offered a sushi sampling and also sold the product, and it was a huge success, selling out during the first lunch period,” said Yvonne Phillips, general manager at Shady Side. “It also proved to be quite lucrative for the school, as we saw a $500 increase in sales on sushi days.”

The Metz team at Friends Select School in Philadelphia also began serving sushi this spring, offering it as a lunch option on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. In addition to sushi, Metz also offered rolls, dumplings, noodles, sushi salads and summer sushi wraps. “We are always looking for new ways to add variety to students’ food choices,” said Tom Smith, general manager, Metz & Associates, Ltd. at Friends Select. “We decided to only offer sushi two times per week so that it stays a popular choice that students look forward to. Not only have the students been excited about sushi, but so have the faculty, the staff and parents, who like the fact that their children are choosing a healthier meal option.”

“Sushi sales have definitely helped increased lunch participation among students, with approximately 125 boxes sold on any given sushi day” Smith added. “When the new school year resumes, I am anticipating student interest to grow even more, with sales increasing to 200-250 boxes on the days sushi is offered.”

Always fresh and interesting, sushi is as popular among adults as it is with students. “The Art of Making Sushi” was the topic of a recent “Lunch and Learn” seminar presented by Metz Chef Nello Allegrucci to employees at Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre. During the lunchtime seminar, the employees learned the intricacies of preparing sushi using fresh tuna, crab legs, shrimp, salmon and assorted vegetables. After class, the group enjoyed sampling the different types of sushi, with tuna and salmon being the favorites.

“Sushi is becoming more mainstream and very popular with adults looking for a healthy lunch option that is quick and tasty,” Allegrucci said. “Our Lunch and Learn series was an ideal way of introducing our customers to different types of sushi, as we plan on incorporating into our menu at Blue Cross in the near future.”

Metz & Associates, Ltd., a premier food service company for the Northeast United States, provides dining and environmental management to clients such as hospitals, assisted living & long-term care facilities, school districts and independent schools, colleges and universities and corporate offices. For more information on Metz & Associates, Ltd., visit our website at www.metzltd.com or call 570.675.8100.