Martin Bros. Distributing

02/04/2026

Independence CSD Mustangs cracked the a la carte code! Students load up on favorite snacks at prices that beat convenient stores. (Read: Money save for families). Meanwhile, every dollar earned goes straight back into the main lunch line to boost meal quality. (Read: Meal upgrades for all!)
A la carte pros out there—what are YOUR top tips for success? Share below! 👇

02/03/2026

Chef Scott Fadden has created a grownup mac and cheese even the big kids will love for St. Patrick’s Day! Cabbage, carrots and crispy hash browns come together in a rich, cheesy comfort for just a few dollars. (Read: A whole lot of menu potential.) Get the full recipe and more ideas in the latest edition of Dish! (Link in comments.)

02/02/2026

Eli Stansbery has found a way to make routine tasks at Martin Bros. impactful for the community. By inspecting returns with his teammate, Sean, he helps take care of customers and helps ensure good food reaches people facing food insecurity.

01/30/2026

Corned beef is more than a holiday classic. From stacked deli sandwiches to mac & cheese, pulled sandwiches and stromboli, the possibilities are endless all year. Pretzel buns make it unforgettable while whiskey grain mustard seals the deal.
Pro tip: Super thin slices maximize tenderness and create that full sandwich look. More St. Patrick's Day ideas in the latest Dish! (Link in the comments.)

01/29/2026

Your February flavor playbook has dropped. Get some wins with the Big Game (which can carry over into March if those wings and pizza LTOs take off).
Feb. 2 | Tater Tot Day - Lamb Weston for Chefs MB # 968160
Feb. 3 | Carrot Cake Day - Sara Lee Frozen Bakery MB # 998150
Feb. 7 | Fettucine Alfredo Day - Custom Culinary Alfredo MB # 942200 & MB # 501600
Feb. 8 | Super Chicken Wing Day - Perdue Chicken MB # 973680
Feb. 9 | National Pizza Day - Rich Products MB # 946228
Feb. 11 | Latte Day
Feb. 14 | Valentine's Day
Feb 19 | Chocolate Mint Day - Blue Bunny MB # 990200
Feb. 20 | Muffin Day / Cherry Pie Day - Sara Lee Frozen Bakery MB # 992810
Feb. 22 | Margarita Day
Feb. 23 | Banana Bread Day
Feb. 26 | National Toast Day
Feb. 27 | Strawberry Day / Big Breakfast Day / National Chili Day
Feb. 28 | Pancake Day - General Mills Foodservice MB # 422410

01/28/2026

Great day in Des Moines with the OsbyCorp executive and dining leadership teams! Chef Steve Tiezzi, Deno Groumoutis and Julie Halfpop spent the day swapping ideas, talking through real‑life challenges and digging into new ways to boost resident satisfaction and make daily workflows smoother for everyone.
It’s always energizing to sit down with partners who are so committed to making a meaningful difference in their communities like Daviess County Nursing & Rehab, Village Care Center and Parkview Care Center.

01/27/2026

Dress it up. Draw students in. You are competing with the hot spots outside of the school, and your competitive pricing with a la carte could let you win.

01/23/2026

🚽💸 Are pesky plumbing costs sneaking into your budget? Prevent toilet clogs before they happen! Check out this blog to see how it can be done!

What do you do about those pesky labor costs that sneak into your budget, like plumbing costs? Try to reduce them by reducing toilet clogs!

01/22/2026

Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, is dropping truth bombs for those who haven't implemented automation and technology.
✅ Streamline scheduling
✅ Optimize pantry management
✅ Identify profitable menu items
Ask about the digital tools Martin Bros. to support your goals!

01/21/2026

Today's students are adventurous! They crave variety and new flavors at restaurants. This doesn't change when they pick meals at school. Rich Products' Chef Valencic demonstrates how globally inspired dishes come together using what's already in the K-12 pantry! Help your friends by sharing what works in your cafeteria!

01/20/2026

Food distribution is our gig, so our powerhouse crew gathered on a day of service to support food insecure children in our communities. Our team from inside sales, marketing, merchandising, sales, human resources, nutrition services and transportation joined nearly 2,000 volunteers to stock 70,272 bags for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank BackPack Program. These packs help feed 3,440 kids in 155 schools each week.

01/19/2026

Clear Creek Amana Community School District's à la carte program offers nutritious options while teaching students about budgeting and smart spending. Students are treated to choices that rival convenience stores nearby. While à la carte sales are up, daily lunch sales also remain strong!