Considerations for Purchasing Foodservice Software

Adapted from Considerations for Purchasing Foodservice Software by Jean Lloyd, MS, Title VI Consultant 

Foodservice software for SNP programs may be classified as:

• Nutrient analysis software

• Foodservice production software

• Program implementation software

These software programs often are sold separately, may or may not communicate well with each other, and vary 

significantly in ease of use and price. 

When determining whether to purchase computer software, you need to make sure you know why you want to buy it, how 

you will use it (for example, nutrient analysis to meet state requirements or how to better schedule deliveries), what 

functions you want it to have, and who will be using it.

Considerations

Before you decide on any purchase, contact the company to talk with a representative, ask for a free trial, and use the 

software for at least one week or more to determine its acceptability. Some companies have telephone numbers, other 

companies simply have email addresses and so may not be as responsive. 

Some of the software listed below is used in various other countries in addition to the United States. Some companies 

listed have state-of-the-art nutrient analysis software designed for restaurant use (national chain restaurants), food 

company use for food labeling, healthcare use, gyms, personal trainers, or dietitians to use for individuals. Software for 

individual nutrition use only (by dietitians, fitness trainers, individuals) has been excluded, as it may not be useful to SNP 

programs unless they are doing individual nutrition counseling. 
Although this document reviews some of nutrient analysis software, it is wise to conduct your own software research. 

Some of the software is inexpensive and as a result may not provide much, other software is expensive and may provide 

capabilities you do not need.

This summary includes considerations for buying nutrient analysis software (this listing is adapted from an article in 

Today’s Dietitian, as well as comments from individuals who have used nutrient analysis software):

1. Price: Can you negotiate a bulk discount if several 

tribes or villages come together to buy the same 

software? What is the yearly cost? Are there additional 

costs for updates, or are updates included in the 

annual cost? 

2. Licensing: How many computers can the software be 

loaded on?

3. General information

4. Nutrient database, completeness

5. Foods in database: Does it contain the foods 

commonly used in your recipes? Can you request that 

foods be added to the database, especially traditional 

or indigenous foods?

6. Identification of common allergens in the foods

7. Ability to input and modify recipes, scaling up or down

8. Internet related features

9. Sorting foods by nutrient content

10.Query capabilities

11.Recipe management

12.Meal management, meal planning

13.Report features

14.Analysis features

15.Back up and restoration

16.Technical support, responsiveness to inquiries, 

responsiveness for support

17.Ease of use

18.Graphic presentations, customizable printouts

19.Compatibility with other systems, devices, etc. used by 

the agency

20.References of people to call.

A more detailed list of considerations is available from NutriBase 20, a software manufacturer that provides a comparison 

chart of their product compared to others. It is suggested that you read the longer article first before purchasing software,

but also do your own independent assessment of your needs. Another web source of information is Sourceforge, which 

provides information on software products, including a comparison of the top nutrition analysis software. You may also 

want to talk with other State Units on Aging or your local Area Agency on Aging about nutrient analysis software to 

determine their experience.
Some food suppliers have proprietary software that is pre-loaded with items they sell. The software may also be 

customizable to a greater degree than commercial software. Check with your suppliers if you are in the market for 

software.

Comparison of Nutrient Analysis Software

Software/Com

pany

Orientation Nutrient 

Analysis

Recipe 

Database

Food 

Production & 

Inventory 

Control 

Capabilities

Technical 

Support

Other 

Features

Contact 

Information

Computrition • Health care

• Hospital

• Food service

yes no yes yes - Email: 

info@computrition

.com 

Phone: 

800- 222-4488

Food Processor 

Nutrition Analysis

• Nutritionists

• Dietitians

• Restaurants 

• Educational 

Facilities

yes yes no yes • Extensive 

dietary 

analysis

• Recipes

• Menu analysis

• Food labeling

• Supplements

• Free recipe & 

ingredient 

downloads

Email: 

sales@esha.com 

Phone: 

503-585-6242

Mealsuite • Health care

• Dietitians

• Senior living 

communities

yes yes no yes - Phone: 

800-383-1999 
Software/Com

pany

Orientation Nutrient 

Analysis

Recipe 

Database

Food 

Production & 

Inventory 

Control 

Capabilities

Technical 

Support

Other 

Features

Contact 

Information

Menusano • Food service

• Restaurants

• Hospitality

• Labeling

yes yes no yes • Free trial

• Recipe 

costing

• Recipe 

development

Email: 

sonia.couto@men

usano.com 

Phone:

866-640-2345

Nutribase 20 

Professional 

Software

• Health care

• Food industry

yes yes no yes • Free demo Email: 

support@nutribas

e.com 

Phone: 

480-603-8359

Nutritics • Dietitians

• Health care

• Individual

yes yes yes yes • Costing

• Food ordering

• Menu 

management

Email: 

sales@nutritics.co

m 

Phone:

650-278-4418

NutritionistPro • Food service

• Dietitians

• Health care

• Food labeling

yes yes yes yes • Video

• Training

• Some 

features

• Yield

• Recipe 

analysis

• Cycle menus

Email: 

sales@axxya.com 

Phone: 

800-709-2799,

425-999-4350
Software/Com

pany

Orientation Nutrient 

Analysis

Recipe 

Database

Food 

Production & 

Inventory 

Control 

Capabilities

Technical 

Support

Other 

Features

Contact 

Information

Nutrium

• Dietitians • Health care • Private 

practice

• Primarily 

individual 

appointments

• Telehealth

yes yes no yes

• Free demo Email: 

info@nutrium.io 

EGS Calcmenu,

Europe & Asia

• Restaurants • Health care • Nursing 

Homes

yes yes yes Unknown 

• No U.S. or 

Canadian 

dealers

Email: info@eg-

software.com
Foodservice Management Software

Software/ 

Company

Orientation Nutrient 

Analysis

Recipe 

Database

Food 

Production & 

Inventory 

Control 

Capabilities

Technical 

Support

Other 

Features

Contact 

Information

Agilysys Eatec • Hospitality

• Management

• Food service

• Procurement

• Inventory

• Forecasting

• Recipe 

management

yes no yes yes - Email: 

sales@agilysys.

com 

Phone: 

800-327-7088

Cbord Horizon 

Software

• Health care

• Hospitals

• Residential 

Senior Living

• K-12

yes yes no yes - Contact form 

online at 

https://www.cbor

d.com/contactcbordsales

Kitcat Software 

for Kitchens

• Commercial 

kitchens

• Retirement 

homes

• European 

Meals on 

Wheels

yes yes no yes • Input recipes

• Recipe 

creation

• Menu 

planning 

flexibility

• Food supply 

and ordering 

storage, and 

accommodat

ions for 

special diets

Email: 

info@esopro.co

m

Phone: 

503-608-3601
Program Management Software

Software/ Company Orientation Other Features Contact Information

ServTracker • Congregate meals

• Home-delivered meals

• Home care

• Senior centers

• Adult day care

• Managed care

• Scheduling

• Funding sources

• Employee scheduling

• Volunteers

• Membership

• Activity attendance

• Reporting

• Bar codes, touch screen, mobile 

apps

Email: 

service@accessiblesolutions.com 

Phone: 

800-886-2818

Stillwater Express Solutions • Congregate meals

• Home-delivered meals

• Home care

• Adult day care

• Transportation

• Scheduling

• Routes

• Kitchen orders

• Volunteer

E-mail: 

SESInfo@StillwaterExpress.com 

Phone:

800-595-8245