I have spent endless hours searching for food suppliers to purchase the food for the non-profit campground that I help run through the summer. I have learned that all pricing is different from supplier to supplier and so is the quality of the food that they offer. It has taken a very long time for me to learn what to get from a big food supplier and when to purchase things from a smaller supplier. To learn my methods of ordering food on a very tight budget for hundreds of people, visit my website. There, you will find a breakdown of my supplies and the suppliers that I use to get what I need each summer.
If food companies and restaurants have learned anything over the past several years, it's that trying to keep a supply of dairy products and other perishables on hand can be a lot trickier than conventional wisdom might have led them to believe. Some issues, like lack of storage space and the short usage period of these products, are obvious and have been factors for companies for many years. But there are some companies that have found that having enough perishables like dairy supplies is greatly influenced by societal factors as a whole, from supply chain interruptions to needing versatility and flexibility.
Restaurants and other companies do have options. If they're worried about the supply chain breaking or having to move into a building where there isn't enough refrigeration space to hold a good supply of perishables, an option that more are turning to is powdered dairy. This is no longer the powdered milk you may remember from childhood. Butter, buttermilk, sour cream, and several types of plain milk are all available in powdered form, including organic varieties.
Better Longevity if Stored Correctly
Powdered dairy does have an eventual expiration date, but it's months away, rather than days away. It's also much easier to store powdered dairy as you don't have to refrigerate it. You do have to protect it from excessive heat and humidity, but you're not limited to keeping it at a low degree temperature anymore.
Bulk Buys Easier to Keep
The easier storage conditions mean that bulk buys are easier to keep around. To prepare for and avoid supply interruptions, you can order powdered dairy in large amounts so that it lasts for a longer time. This way, you can have some around even if the suppliers you use suddenly have a shortage of fresh dairy.
Smaller Amounts Needed for Use
You need smaller amounts of powdered dairy to make the equivalent of a fresh batch. For example, you might need 1 cup of fresh buttermilk for a recipe, but if you use powdered buttermilk, you'd need about half a cup of the powdered product plus water. So, not only can you store large amounts, but you use less per recipe, effectively doubling your supply.
Whether you need this in organic or conventional varieties, powdered dairy is an excellent ingredient. Keep a supply on hand and mix with fresh dairy as supplies allow. Contact a dairy powder supplier for more information.
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