May is Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month, National Barbeque Month, National Egg Month, National Hamburger Month, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, National Salsa Month, National Sweet Vidalia Month, and Women's Health Care Month.
1.
May Day. Set up a Maypole for the kids and offer special treats.
2. For
Bread Pudding Recipe Exchange Week, host a bread pudding contest.
3. Sample your specialty desserts during
Eat Dessert First Week.
4.
Shabbat Across America/Canada Day. Hold specials on all kosher items.
5.
Cinco de Mayo. Celebrate by sampling authentic Mexican cooking;
SCAA Exhibition begins in Long Beach, Calif.
6. The
Spring Fancy Food and
FMI Shows commence in Chicago.
7. Check all Mother's Day merchandise and displays.
8. The
Gourmet Housewares Show begins in Orlando.
9. Set up a display and promotion of the cookbooks that won James Beard Foundation Awards.
10. In honor of
National Egg Month, create a special display with all things egg-related from nutritional facts to poachers and egg cups.
11. Mark
Eat What You Want Day with a confectionery promotion that includes chocolate tastings.
12. Double-check Memorial Day plans and orders.
13.
Mother's Day14. In honor of
National Hamburger Month and
National Barbeque Month, prepare your barbeque displays and hold classes for summer grilling.
15. Confirm travel plans for the IDDBA Expo in Anaheim, Calif.
16. Highlight
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month by hosting a series of healthy cooking demos.
17. Schedule a staff meeting to review Gourmet Housewares Show discoveries.
18. For
National Pizza Party Day, host a kids' Pizza Making Party with discounts on all pizza-making accessories.
19.
Armed Forces Day. Offer a promotion aimed toward families of active duty servicemen.
20. Spotlight
Weights and Measures Day by creating a display of kitchen scales and measuring tools.
21. Celebrate rhubarb season with a cooking class dedicated to this often overlooked fruit.
22. For
National Sweet Vidalia Month, hand out recipe cards that feature this sweet-tasting onion as an ingredient.
23. Pull out the tagine and aromatic spices for
Morocco's National Day.
24. Mark
Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month with an East meets West display of Asian-inspired tabletop, food products and kitchenware.
25. Review all summer vacation schedules.
26. It's lobster season. Tempt seafood lovers with a display of shellfish-related items like lobster forks, steamer pots and cheesecloth.
27. Check on Father's Day plans and merchandise.
28.
Memorial Day29. Offer free gourmet ice cream samples to all shoppers.
30. Make sure all travel plans are set in place for the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York.
31. Tonight, there'll be a Blue Moon in the sky. Offer discounts on all blue-colored tabletop and kitchenware items.