PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: Neil Inverso - Oct/Nov 2023

Why Foodservice Rocks!

Hello MAFSI members.  

Happy Q4! Where did this year go? Today, I want to highlight our efforts to bring more young people into the foodservice industry. We recognize the need to improve how we communicate about our industry, showcase the diverse range of careers available, and make it more accessible for young people to get involved in foodservice.

Many young individuals need a more comprehensive understanding of foodservice careers, typically thinking only of professional chefs or fast-food workers. While these roles are vital, there is an opportunity to generate more interest by showcasing sales, marketing, design, engineering, technical service opportunities, and more.

That's why MAFSI, NAFEM, CFESA, and FCSI are building the "Foodservice Rocks" website. This platform allows visitors to explore their areas of interest and access detailed information about various careers. For example, if you choose Communication, you'll discover job options like graphic design and content creation. Additionally, site visitors can browse job opportunities available through our partner associations.

To effectively engage with the digitally connected generation, it's crucial to maintain a solid social media presence and provide insights into your company culture. Furthermore, we want to address the training needs of individuals with excellent skills but who have no foodservice experience. How can we support and develop them?

This leads me to my next point — the significance of Foodservice 101. This training has received high praise from those who have completed it. It's a self-paced online course that offers a comprehensive overview of our industry and its interconnected parts. By completing Foodservice 101, new hires can quickly get up to speed, saving you time and thousands of dollars on training costs. Membership is only $199; the training typically takes 4-5 hours to complete six chapters.

Lastly, remember the vast training resources available through MAFSI's Pantry of Knowledge (POK). POK provides access to over 800 online business, sales, and technology courses. It helps build exceptional teams, revitalizes employees, and reduces training-related expenses. Participants can select a specific learning path, such as Outside Sales, and follow the recommended core topics to complete their training sessions. Some learning paths provide a certification upon completion.

We can inspire and empower the next generation of foodservice professionals by embracing these initiatives. Let's propel our industry forward together because Foodservice Rocks!

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me at neil@osreps.com. See you next time for MAFSI’s President’s message. 

Be well.

Neil