Taking care of customers while they travel

’Tis the season for air travel. Beyond the constant buzz of business travel, winter break is here and spring break is right around the corner. No one wants to be stuck in an airport or an airplane without something wholesome to eat; that is when poor decisions are made. With unexpected delays, time-zone changes and hectic travel schedules, keep your customers smiling by offering my tips along with a dedicated display of healthy food and drink options that will pass through security and fit into carry-ons. And, with a bit of extra planning, your store can offer a more environmentally conscious journey too, so Mother Nature will be smiling as well.

In-flight healthy eats tips

1. Reusable stainless containers: They are durable, easy to clean and will last forever. When your customer arrives at their destination, they can give them a scrub and use them to store good-for-you snacks for the hotel room, beach or a day of sightseeing.

2. Beyond apples and bananas: Berries and wedges of kiwi offer bite size portions of low sugar deliciousness without the mess. The seeds and skin of the kiwi fruit are edible, eating the skin will only increase vitamin and fiber intake.

3. Nuts over nuts: What could be easier to pack than raw nuts? No prep required. The bit of fat in nuts will help ward off hunger. Almonds are tasty alone but also very satiating when eaten with fruit or vegetables. Pumpkin seeds are a good source of zinc, which has an important role in proper immune function. Boosting the immune system is a good idea when traveling by air.

4. Spice of life: Sliced papaya, pineapple and jicama are brought to another level with a dash of a Southwestern spice blend and a splash of lime. Why eat bland fruit and veggie sticks when you can kick ‘em up a few notches? All the flavor with no mess or extra time in the kitchen.

5. Cheap, cheap, cheap: My herbed and spiced savory popcorn recipes are a perfect in-flight snack. Vacations are expensive enough; help your customers save some money by popping their own corn at home. It won’t weigh down their bag, and it is oh-so-delicious. That’s a win-win-win.

6. If you got it, chop it: It’s a two-for-one deal. Clean out the refrigerator before leaving home while making a chopped “kitchen sink” salad, including mixed greens, mixed vegetables, herbs and leftover grains such as rice. Toss with your favorite dressing and top with pine nuts or any type of chopped nut. TSA will not let you bring a bottle of dressing with you on the flight, so add a light dressing to your salad at home.

7. BYOB: Bring your own (empty) bottle and ask the flight attendant to refill it with the purified water they have on board, to cut down on unnecessary waste while traveling. And, add Emergen-C powder into the water as it contains heavy doses of vitamin C and B12 to keep immune systems strong while traveling in close quarters.

Employ these tips yourself to stay on your A-game while traveling for business or pleasure, use them as an idea starter for your store’s travel convenience center, or simply share the above tips with your customers. I only ask that you reference my website, MargauxDrake.com, if you use them, in return.

Do you leverage the travel season to strengthen customer rapport and to capture sales? If so, inspire us with your ideas. Bon voyage!