Frequently asked questions

Bulk food ingredients for manufacturers and foodservice: IQF frozen vegetables, IQF fruit, IQF beans, lentils and grains, shelf-stable and frozen purées, NFC juices and concentrates, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, IQF and dried herbs, seasonings and spices, and chickpea and specialty flours. Other ingredient categories are sourced on request.

Food and beverage manufacturers, co-packers and private-label brands first, and foodservice operators and distributors, with a focus on frozen fruit, frozen vegetables and IQF beans and grains.

Minimums depend on the item. Many ingredients can be ordered by the case or bag; pricing improves at pallet, tote and truckload volumes. Every quote states the minimum (MOQ), pack, lead time and FOB or delivered price.

Samples are available on most items. Request one on the quote form with your application and expected volume.

A specification sheet and certificate of analysis (COA) for every lot, plus an allergen statement and country of origin. Pasteurization or sterilization letters, micro results and organic or Non-GMO certificates are supplied where the item carries them.

Conventional, certified organic, Non-GMO and plant-based options are available across much of the range. Each quote states exactly which certifications the lot carries.

Allen Lee Foods supplies customers across the United States from domestic and global sources. Frozen items ship in refrigerated freight at −18 °C (0 °F) or colder; dry and shelf-stable items ship ambient.

Quote requests receive a reply within one business day. Include the item, specification, pack format, volume and delivery location for the most accurate price.

Yes. Send the specification, target price and volume. We source domestically and globally to specification.

Yes. Vegetable, fruit and seasoning blends can be built to your ratio or formula, and we can connect brands with vetted co-packers.

Most IQF vegetables are available whole, cut, diced, sliced or in strips. Common dice sizes are 6, 10 and 15 mm; many items are also offered riced or fire-roasted. We source to the cut size your line or kitchen runs.

Yes. High-volume items such as broccoli, cauliflower, corn, peas, carrots, onions and potatoes can be packed in lined totes for plant receiving, as well as in bulk cases.

Most IQF vegetables are blanched before freezing to set color and texture and reduce enzyme activity. Blanch level and piece size are stated on the spec sheet.

IQF beans are fully cooked beans that are individually quick frozen. They need no soaking or cooking: thaw or add frozen to the recipe. They hold their shape and give a consistent yield compared with dry beans or canned beans in brine.

Yes. Cooked IQF lentils and chickpeas are available in bulk cases and totes, alongside dry lentils and chickpeas for manufacturers that cook in-house.

Yes. Cooked brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro and ancient-grain blends are available IQF for ready meals, bowls and foodservice.

Most IQF fruit is available whole, sliced and diced. Common dice sizes are 10×10 mm and 15×15 mm. We source to the size and grade your line runs.

Yes. Berry, tropical and smoothie blends can be built to your ratio by weight and packed in bulk cases, totes or foodservice packs.

In refrigerated (reefer) trucks or containers held at −18 °C (0 °F) or colder, by the case, pallet or full truckload.

Aseptic purée is heat-treated and filled into sterile packaging, so it is shelf-stable at ambient temperature until opened. Frozen purée is held at −18 °C (0 °F) and is often chosen for fresher color and flavor or for products that can't take aseptic heat treatment.

Brix is the percentage of dissolved sugar solids by weight. Single-strength purées are close to the fruit's natural Brix; concentrated purées are higher and are diluted back in formulation.

NFC means not-from-concentrate: juice that is pasteurized and packed at single strength without being concentrated and reconstituted. It is typically chosen for premium juices; concentrate is chosen for lower freight and storage cost.

By Brix (sugar solids), acidity, Brix-to-acid ratio and whether clarified or cloudy. Citrus juices such as lemon and lime are often specified in GPL (grams of citric acid per liter).

Infused dried fruit is soaked in a sugar or juice solution before drying, keeping it soft and chewy. Freeze-dried fruit has water removed under vacuum while frozen, keeping it crisp and light with color close to fresh.

Almonds and other nuts can be supplied pasteurized with a pasteurization letter per lot. State your requirement on the quote request.

IQF herbs keep the color and aroma of fresh herbs with a 24-month frozen shelf life, consistent cut size and no trim waste, which makes them practical for production and high-volume kitchens.

Mesh is the number of openings per linear inch in the screen a spice passes through. Higher mesh means finer particles: 60–80 mesh garlic powder compared with 8–16 mesh minced garlic.

Steam-treated options are available for many spices and dehydrated vegetables used in ready-to-eat products. State the treatment and micro limits you need when you request a quote.

Chickpea flour is available raw or heat-treated. Heat-treated flour is used where the flour may not be fully cooked in the finished product or where a milder flavor is wanted.