Calling ALL Non-Commercial

Foodservice Operators!



We invite you to show off the creative, customer-pleasing ways that you feature U.S. grown canned Bartlett pears on your menu in smoothies, baked goods, entrées, salads, snacks, and desserts – all recipe categories are welcome. You have until April 30, 2024 to submit your entries.

Spicy Roasted Pears for Pizza Week

Offer a sweet and savory flavor pairing to capture the attention of your diners during Pizza Week (January 14-20). Roasting canned pears caramelizes the sugars for a flavor pop in our Spicy Roasted Pears that complements popular savory pizza toppings, like sausage, bacon, and ham.

Meet Chef Andrew Francisco

Associate Director of Culinary Operations

Western Michigan University

Third Place Winner of the 2023 CAN DO Challenge

Chilean Pumpkin Pear Empanadas



What was the inspiration for your winning Chilean Pumpkin

& Pear Empanadas?

I intentionally had a lot of unique flavors mixed to make it a more unique taste. Pumpkin was used in the dough to compliment the richness of sweet pears, savory bacon, and sautéed onions. All these ingredients have strong flavors that are balanced well. Pumpkin is sometimes used in Chilean sopaipillas. These are fried doughs made with squash or pumpkin purée incorporated into the dough. While I am no expert in this cuisine, I thought it would be fun to have this spin on my empanada.

Why did you decide to become a chef?

I decided to become a chef around 2009 when I fell in love with the structure and discipline that a well-operated kitchen provides. I witnessed this sort of kitchen at Grand Rapids Community College. A few years after graduating I took a break from hands-on cooking while I started my family, and at this time I was still directing and managing foodservice establishments. I was always able to sneak some cooking into those positions, which was great. About two years ago, I had the opportunity to do both cooking and leading at WMU. Now, I am the Associate Director of Culinary Operations, and I have a planning role as well as an active chef role in our two campus dining centers, three retail operations, and eight cafes. It’s the best of both worlds, every day is exciting, and it’s a good work-life balance for me. I feel very lucky for the position I am in as well as having a great hard-working staff by my side. 

Celebrate Baking with Ripe & Ready

Canned Pears during National Pear Month

Perfectly ripe and ready to use, canned Bartlett pears (and the juice!) are a delicious ingredient in baked goods. Our collection includes pear crisp, carrot cake, turnovers, bread pudding, carrot cake, cheesecake, grab-and-go bars, and hand pies. The natural pear flavor adds sweetness with zero fat to baked goods.

December is National Pear Month, and it’s a great time to celebrate U.S. grown canned Bartlett pears. Our pears are grown by American farmers in Oregon and Washington and packed by local canneries. Peeled, cut, then poached in juice or sweetened syrup, nothing else is added to the can. Canned Bartlett pears are versatile and ready to use in recipes or enjoy straight from the can. Check the label for “Product of the USA” and buy American!

Resource Library

It’s easy to order our colorful posters, window clings, and bookmarks for the lunchroom. You can also download product guides, fun facts, and handouts

for kids.