Throwback Tip #82: Add RCI’s Classifieds Page to Your Web Favorites

Looking to buy or sell used confectionery equipment, post a confectionery job or purchase or sell a confectionery business? Start by adding the Classified Ads page on the Retail Confectioners International website to your website browser favorites as a quick reference.

The Classified Ads page is consistently one of the most viewed pages on RCI’s website. Both RCI members and non-members are invited to post an ad, in any of the following categories:

• For Sale
• Wanted
• Job Postings

Updates are made to the page on a regular basis and you’ll find a variety of used equipment and supplies available for purchase at any given time.

So, what are you waiting for? Take a moment to visit the Classified Ads page and add it to your web browser’s favorites. Then, when you have equipment to buy or sell or a job to post, be sure to post it with RCI.

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tip #272: Why Dry? Learn Why Dry Cleaning & Sanitation Methods May Be Best

Did you know limiting the use of water is one of the primary means of controlling pathogens in low moisture food establishments (foodprotection.org)? If when cleaning, your workstation is always filled with enough soaps and suds to check your reflection, it may be time to consider practicing dry sanitation methods.

via Gfycat

Keep reading to better understand the difference between wet and dry cleaning methods and why dry cleaning is best, when possible.

Wet Cleaning & Sanitation

You are probably already using wet cleaning and sanitation methods which utilizes water and/or detergents to remove residue. When wet cleaning, it is extremely important that even the nooks and crannies of machinery is dry, because it is in these hard-to-reach places where bacteria can be difficult to remove and when water is present bacteria can grow.

Dry Cleaning & Sanitation
The benefit to employing dry cleaning and sanitation methods, is that it allows you to remove food residue with little or no water application, significantly reducing the opportunity for bacterial growth. Dry cleaning can be as simple as surface cleaning with a vacuum or alcohol-based wipes. More detailed cleaning may be performed with a steam cleaner or dry ice cleaner.

Assess Level of Risk

When determining which method of cleaning is best, it is important to assess the risk level of the area in need of cleaning. Different areas of your facility may have a different level of risk, just as different ingredients would. It is important to understand what you are trying to remove when cleaning or sanitizing different work stations. According to Quality Assurance Magazine, it is essential to ensure all products used to clean and sanitize food-contact surfaces are approved by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in addition to being verified and validated.

Before dragging out the bucket of soapy water to clean and sanitize equipment and work stations, consider if you can incorporate dry cleaning and sanitation methods into your regular cleaning routine.

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tip #271: Ship Gift Baskets Like A Boss

Who doesn't love a great gift basket? Not only are they fun and interactive for the recipient, as they discover each different element carefully tucked inside, but for the retailer they encourage increased customer spending. Have you ever thought about shipping gift baskets? Follow these basic instructions, curated from RCI’s past Merchandising Essentials course and Rebecca Craig of Marie’s Candies, to ensure your gift basket arrives intact.

Directions

1. First, shrink wrap the gift basket to keep items in place. For aesthetic purposes, wrap gift basket in cello next.
2. Next, get a box appropriately sized for the basket, which should be approximately three to four inches larger than the basket to protect both the product and basket during shipping. Fold down any additional cello at the top of the basket to decrease the size of the box needed for shipping.
3. Place the basket into the center of the box and begin filling with packing materials until the basket fits securely in the box. Fold the lid closed and secure with tape.
4. If you are shipping chocolate during warm weather or to a warmer climate, include an ice pack of some sort. Always place ice packs in a resealable plastic bag to ensure nothing will leak onto your product if it would happen to break in the shipping process. Place ice pack as close to the product as possible. Secure the box with packaging tape box and it's ready for shipping.

An eye-catching gift basket may look great on a shelf or display table, but if you don't package your gift basket properly, it is likely to transform into a jumbled mess after it's been shipped across the country or even across town. Before offering this service to paying customers, try testing it out on a friend or family member first.

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Tip #270: Make Bacon Fans Squeal for International Bacon Day

Now that fireworks from the 4^th of July have fizzled, it’s time to look forward to the next major holiday! Many Americans have already started making arrangements for Labor Day on September 3, while our Canadian friends may be counting down until Civic Day on August 6, however, any bacon fan worth their salt is already salivating for International Bacon Day(otherwise known as “IBD” by bacon fanatics) on September 2.

Even if you don’t regularly observe IBD, you can agree the salty flavor and crunchy texture of bacon, paired with sweet chocolate is a match made in hog heaven (okay, maybe just heaven). There’s a seemingly endless array of ways to pair bacon with chocolate. Whether you’re working with bits, chunks, strips or not-so-delicate bacon roses, this little piggy may bring with it different requirements from your local health department that you should be aware of before you grab that skillet.

Here’s some ideas, if you decide to go whole hog:

Chocolate Covered Bacon on a skewer, from Taste of Home

Bacon Chocolate Covered Popcorn, from whitelightsonwednesday.com

Maple-Bacon Marshmallows, from Epicurious

If you don’t want to take the risk of using real bacon in your recipes, consider using bacon flavoring or smoked bacon sea salt for a more subtle flavor. Make your bacon confections sizzle by sprinkling with Sizzling Bacon Candy. Check out this past post about how to preserve the pop when incorporate popping candy into a truffle center.

If you really want to make your local bacon fans squeal, ask your fans to share ideas for bacon-related confections they’d like to see at your shop or let them vote for their favorite once you’ve narrowed down some realistic options. Not only is this sure to create some excitement amongst your fans, it will help identify if you have enough of an audience to really bring home the bacon!

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Throwback Tip #50: Swab Test for Cleanliness

Most candy makers would probably agree it’s easier to keep a super-clean facility when the bows and boxes aren’t flying during the holiday season. However, we all know food safety is just as important during your off season as it is during the peak of the holidays.

One way to stay on top of this anytime of the year is to regularly swab test the cleanliness of your facility. We don’t mean a visual test where you look to see if the area appears clean, but an actual scientific test for allergens, sanitation and etc.

Sample test kits are available to perform on-site tests of a variety of areas in your production zone. Neogen Corporation is an example of a member-recommended company that supplies sample test kits. Using their food allergen tests you can do on-site tests to detect a target allergen (see list of allergens here) in ingredients, liquids, clean-in-place rinses, finished foods and on environmental surfaces. They also have sanitation tests to detect the amount of food residue and other organic matter, such as bacteria, yeast and mold, that may remain after cleaning.

Neogen is just one example of the many organizations that offer this type of product, however, through more online research you may find another source that better suits your needs. Another option would be to send swabs to a lab to be more thoroughly tested. Along with many others that provide this service Merieux NutriSciences, formerly Silliker Labs who presented at a past RCI conference, provides food testing and sanitation information for confectioners and food facilities.

Ensuring the treats created at your facility are not only delicious, but also safe for consumption is an essential part of good manufacturing processes. RCI Members: Access additional materials on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) by logging in to the member side of the RCI website. 

Do you have other tips for maintaining a clean food facility in the midst of your busiest production schedules? Please share with our blog community in the comments below!

Stay connected with RCI through Facebook for more tips and inspiration dedicated to the retail candy maker. Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.