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Just Simply Good Stuff! Offers Fresh Bulk Spice and Fresh Chiles by the pound and half pound

April 27th, 2008

Fresh tasting bulk spice as well as chiles in bulk quantities that are fresher and with more flavor than what you’ll find locally.

Sagle, Idaho April 24, 2008 — Just Simply Good Stuff! offers new fresh bulk spice and fresh chiles by the pound and half pound.

Just Simply Good Stuff! Spice Blends

The bulk spice is available in many varieties like garlic granules and powder, Onion granules and powder, smoked paprika and South African Paprika, coarse black pepper as well as chile powders bursting with flavor as in the hard to find anjo chile powder or chile de arbol, habanero, chipotle and pequin just to name a few. The chilies are pure chile grown naturally in the Southwest not genetically modified and without pesticides, additives, anti-caking agents or color enhancers. There will be more variety as demand arises. The spice and chilies are ordered in smaller quantities to ensure fresher flavor so they don’t set around getting stale waiting to be sold.

At justsimplygoodstuff.com “Recipes for our Rubs are created from scratch using the freshest spice available The individual herbs and spices are then ground and mixed to create unique blends”. They offer Mediterranean Medley a oregano, garlic with a pinch of citrus for anything from chicken and fish to vegetables and pasta dishes. A nice companion blend to the Mediterranean Medley is the Lemon Lime salt a chunky kosher salt with a nice citrus tang. Its also great on fish or the rim of a margarita cocktail. In addition to these they have Original Rub, Smoky Jalapeno Rub, Prime Rib Rub, Beyond the Border, Mesquite Salt and the award winning Chile Chili mix. There’s no guessing what seasoning goes with what dish; the rubs and spice blends taste wonderful on anything from steak, prime rib, brisket, chicken, fish, pork & baby back ribs to vegetables, salads, scrambled eggs, even popcorn!

If your diet limits salt intake or it’s your preference to add your own salt there are three no salt blends, Mediterranean Medley, Original Rub and Smoky Jalapeno Rub. Or the bulk spice is convenient to mix up your own blends. Just Simply Good Stuff! is committed to doing their part in offering quality ingredients for your meals as well as for your lifestyle.

They also have gift boxes with a convenient twist. The customer picks out a gift box, pays online, then they take care of everything else and send it direct with a card saying it’s from you. In addition to the send direct gift box they have corporate gift boxes available with gourmet specialty products to fit your budget and goals for client loyalty, employee recognition, holiday gifts and sales team incentives. Just email them through the website for information and they’ll find the perfect gift box or individual products to fit your budget, theme and schedule.

All of the products mentioned can be purchased online at http://www.justsimplygoodstuff.com/. Or the Rubs and blends like Smoky Jalapeno or Beyond the Border are sold in the meat departments of over 80 grocery stores, meat markets and specialty shops in Idaho, Washington and Montana. Just Simply Good Stuff is a leader in providing Meat Rubs, Bulk spice and Spice Blends as well as one of a kind specialty Salt blends and fresh high quality bulk spice.

Robin Carter creates intriguing spice blends at Just Simply Good Stuff! in Sagle, Idaho. She decided when she turned 50 she wanted to continue living in north Idaho and start a business doing what she loved and that was cooking! Having no formal training she just went for it knowing it was now or never! Part of the criteria was that the product had to be unique, tasty, lightweight and easy to ship. Voila! A business was born. For more recipes and information go to http://www.justsimplygoodstuff.com/

Contact:
Robin Carter
http://www.justsimplygoodstuff.com/
1772 Talache Rd.
Sagle, Idaho 83860
(208)265-0144

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Prouct Review - Farris’t of Them All Pecan Pies

April 25th, 2008


Product Review and Pricing Analysis
4.24.08
Company: Farrist of Them All Pecan Pies
Products: Pecan Pie – Mail Order

Packaging/Labeling: (Pros): Absolutely fabulous! The pie was shrink wrapped with no cheap foil pans – instead it was neatly placed on a cardboard cake pan. Attached to the wrapping on the pie was a very neat ‘To and From’ hang tag, with a very ‘cute’ poem on the back (see image).


The pie was shipped in a very nice box with a super neat insulator. Inside the box on the left and right panels were informational and nutrition/ingredient statement stickers. Very professional!

Overall, the presentation definitely had a ‘Wow Factor’ that makes this an excellent gift! Your recipient will be as impressed opening the package as they will be eating the pie.

Packaging/Labeling ranking: 9/10!

Taste/Consistency/Quality: If you are looking for an uber-rich Pecan Pie, this is for you. I found it impossible to eat without a large glass of milk (while my wife prefers vanilla ice cream).

The consistency of the filling was very thick; almost like a custard. Our favorite part had to be the crust – very flaky, buttery, and obviously made by hand. You don’t get crust like this in your frozen section, or even from the top mail order pie companies these days.

Oh, and don’t let me forget the pecans. These pecans were not those you find in a typical cheapo pecan pie. They were enormous and very fresh tasting with a nice firm, semi-crunch to them. Not too soggy, and not too crunchy – just right! This pie must have been shipped out hours after baking.

Overall Flavor ranking: 9/10!

Uniqueness: So there are plenty of pecan pies out there – but you get what you pay for. Farrist of Them All’s Pecan Pie may not be for the everyday Pecan Pie consumer due to the price tag (compared to cheapo pies at the grocery store), but as a gift, it is hard to beat. What Farris’t of Them All really targets is gift givers. Pecan Pie is a classic gift, and does not have to be frozen to ship. Since most busy people don’t have time to do it on their own, ordering a Pecan Pie online and shipping it as a gift makes a lot of sense, especially when you can find one with such a magnificent presentation as Farris’t of Them All’s.

Summary: Delicious, hand-made Pecan Pie with the freshest ingredients coupled with top-notch packaging makes Farris’t of them all’s Pecan Pie a must-have, and the ultimate mail-order gift for any occasion. GourmetFoodPR.com’s overall ranking: 9/10

farristofthemall-003.jpgTo and From hang tagfarristofthemall-007.jpg

farristofthemall-008.jpgfarristofthemall-010.jpgfarristofthemall-012.jpg

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SWEET MAVENS INTRODUCES A SEASONAL SENSATION TO THEIR BISCOTTI LINE

April 22nd, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sweet Mavens, LLC Contact: Anita Carpene
159 Naubuc Avenue Tel: (860) 490-1407
East Hartford, CT 06118 Fax: (860) 568-6145
Email: anita@sweetmavens.com

SWEET MAVENS INTRODUCES A SEASONAL SENSATION TO THEIR LINE OF SOFT ARTISAN BISCOTTI

GLASTONBURY, CT, APRIL, 2008 – Just in time for summer, Sweet Mavens, LLC
proudly announces a new summer variety to their award winning line of soft biscotti,
Pina Colada Biscotti. Perfect for summer entertaining, this biscotti is studded with
chunks of dried pineapple. Dipped in a rum glaze, the biscotti is then coated with toasted
coconut. It is as beautiful to look at as to eat! As an all natural, artisan product, all Sweet
Mavens biscotti are handmade in small batches and made to order to preserve freshness
and their characteristic tender quality. The company’s mantra is “Anything fresher is still
in the oven!” Sweet Mavens bakes a line of eight flavors plus seasonal varieties.
Included are Nonna’s Anise Almond, Golden Apricot White Chocolate, Cranberry
Ginger, Mint Chocolate Chip, Mad About Mocha, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Anise
Almond with a Chocolate Edge, and Divine Indulgence Chocolate Biscotti plus the
seasonal favorites, Pina Colada, Positively Pumpkin, and Peppermint Chocolate Chip.

All of Sweet Mavens biscotti are based on a family recipe and are presently available in 9
oz plastic canisters (SRP $5.99-$6.99), individually wrapped (SRP $1.00-$1.50), 2
packs(SRP $2.75-$2.95), 7 oz sampler ($6.99) and in bulk. Their commercial facility is
located in Glastonbury, CT where they produce their line of artisan, all natural biscotti
with a strong commitment to quality and freshness. They are currently distributed
throughout New England. For more information about Sweet Mavens, visit the
company’s website at www.sweetmavens.com.

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CHIA SEED IS A NEW SUPERFOOD ‘SPROUTING’ FROM NAVITAS NATURALS

April 22nd, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael LeBel, 207-563-7695
mic@planetfriendlypr.com

CHIA SEED IS A NEW SUPERFOOD ‘SPROUTING’ FROM NAVITAS NATURALS

 

Leading Power Foods Company Introduces Chia Seed & Sprouted Seed Powder Rich in Omega-3 &

Protein

Novato, California (April 3, 2008) - Healthy foods rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids

(EFAs) is one of the hottest trends in the natural products marketplace. Now, Navitas

Naturals (www.navitasnaturals.com) is helping health-minded consumers re-discover the

Chia Seed, a high-energy ancient superfood that was revered by the Aztecs as a staple of

their diet long before modern food science demonstrated it’s impressive nutritional

attributes (and before a creative marketer in the early 1980’s invented the Chia Pet®!).

Chia Seed is a robust vegetarian source of omega-3 and protein that is easy to digest, and

this nutrient-dense “superseed” also has an impressive content of vitamins, minerals and

soluble fiber.

Sustainably harvested in the highlands of Chile, Navitas Naturals’ Chia Seed is offered in

whole seed and sprouted whole seed powder varieties that are packaged in re-sealable

8oz and 16 oz pouches, as well as bulk quantities for sale to manufacturers. Chia Seed

(salvia hispanica) has much in common with flaxseed, another highly regarded omega-3

source, except Chia has the distinct advantage of containing natural antioxidants that

make it more stable. Navitas Naturals offers a sprouted Chia Seed because this

germination process prior to low-temp milling greatly increases nutrient content,

bioavailability and absorption.

Navitas Naturals recommends that customers: blend their Chia Seed products into

smoothies, granola, oatmeal and yogurt; use the Sprouted Chia Seed Powder as a flour

substitute for bread, muffin, cookie and pie recipes; and sprinkle Chia Seed on soup,

salad and rice dishes. For delicious and nutritious Chia Seed recipes, please visit

www.navitasnaturals.com/recipes.

Modern consumers’ appetite for international food, combined with the growing trend for

healthier organic options, is fueling the popularity of organic ‘power foods’ from around

the world. By reintroducing ancient natural foods to the Western world, Navitas Naturals

is expanding the functional food category and providing options with more bio-available

essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals than most supplements and chemical extracts.

Navitas Naturals products are widely available throughout North America. In addition to

the new Chia products, Navitas Naturals offers a wide variety of organic power foods

including Maca, Flax, Hemp, Cacao (beans, nibs, paste, butter, and powder),

Goldenberries, Goji Berries, Mulberries, Acai, Lucuma, Camu, raw Cashews and

Yacon (dried slices, syrup and powder), as well as four varieties of Power Food Powder

Twister Blends, and three blends of Trail Power snack mixes.

Navitas Naturals - Power Foods for the Modern Lifestyle

Navitas Naturals’ mission is to provide the finest organic power foods that increase

energy and enhance health. By boosting demand in North America for health-enhancing

foods like their new Chia Seed, Navitas Naturals creates and spreads sustainable

agriculture in developing regions around the world. “Our products come from the

wisdom of ancient cultures and their traditional use of plants for both culinary and

medicinal purposes,” says Zach Adelman, President of Navitas Naturals. “An essential

part of our mission is to create robust economic opportunities for indigenous people,” he

adds. For more information, please visit www.navitasnaturals.com or call 888-645-

4282.

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Press Release: GARLIC LOVERS CRAZY FOR FRIEDA’S GARLIC DELIGHT

April 20th, 2008

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – A delightfully packaged new garlic product will pique your

customers’ interest. But after one taste, they will be hooked. 

Frieda’s, The Specialty Produce Company, is pleased to announce the release of its latest original product: Frieda’s Garlic Delight™. Exclusively from Frieda’s, this light and creamy garlic product is so much more than a spread or dip. Frieda’s Garlic Delight™ offers all the delicious and nutritious benefits of pure, fresh USA-grown garlic in a convenient package. 

Allnatural and preservative-free, Frieda’s Garlic Delight™ can be used as a marinade for meats, swirled into a sauce for shrimp or pasta, enjoyed as a flavorful dip or as a non-dairy alternative to mayonnaise in sandwiches and burgers. 

Available in four great flavors – Original, Chipotle, Sun Dried Tomato, and Green Olive, each 7-oz. resealable plastic retail tub (12 count case) comes in a self-standing sleeved package, ready to display in the refrigerated section of your produce department. 

Available year-round, with a 3-month packed shelf-life, Frieda’s Garlic Delight™ features an eye-catching packaging design that’s loaded with

information and instantly communicates the product’s versatility to the customer.The reverse side of each sleeve also features an exclusive recipe from Frieda’s. Every container has a plastic safety seal that protects the product inside prior to opening. Once opened, the product can be conveniently resealed with its plastic lid, extending Garlic Delight™’s shelf life for the consumer at home. 

“When I first tasted Garlic Delight™ I was hooked,” said Karen Caplan, president of Frieda’s, Inc. “It was so addicting the first time we taste-tested it that we had to remove the samples from my office. We could NOT stop eating it! And when I saw that it is 100% natural, and discovered that it is an extremely popular food in Mediterranean cultures, I could tell it would be a winner.”

Made from simple, natural ingredients – canola oil, 100% USA-grown garlic, lemon juice and salt – Frieda’s Garlic Delight™ is also cholesterol-free and very low-carb. And, of course, Garlic Delight™ contains no trans fats.

How can this creamy and flavorful spread be natural and dairy-free? A proprietary process (invented by our own rocket scientist) allows us to create Garlic Delight™, a 100% natural garlic product without having to add any dairy, emulsifiers, or preservatives. 

In your advertisements or in-store signage, suggest Frieda’s Garlic Delight™  as a way to add wonderful garlic flavor to sandwiches, meats, dressings, and dips. It’s also great for in-store cross-promotions with fresh vegetables (broccoli, carrots, potatoes, etc.). To cross-merchandise in other parts of your store, promote in refrigerated sections near pork roasts, whole chickens and turkeys, and healthy multi-grain and whole-wheat breads. 

Founded in 1962 by Frieda Caplan, Frieda’s, Inc. was the first wholesale produce company in the U.S. to be founded, owned and operated by a woman. Once a small produce stand at the Los Angeles Produce Market, Frieda’s has emerged as the nation’s premier marketer and distributor of specialty produce and now offers more than 600 specialty items to grocery and specialty stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. America has Frieda’s to thank for introductions to Kiwifruit, Shallots, Cherimoyas, Donut Peaches, Sugar Snap? Peas and Habanero Peppers and the innovations just keep coming. Learn more at www.friedas.com

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Press Release: Sconza Candy introduces the new single serve gable box

April 20th, 2008

Sconza Candy introduces the new single serve gable box to its line of premium chocolate fruit and nut confections. The four new gable boxed items are : 70% cacao dark chocolate espresso beans, 70% cacao dark chocolate toffee almonds, chocolate cherries and chocolate toffee pistachios.

Each box weighs 2.25 ounces and features the Sconza signature fruit and nut illustrations. Suggested retail price is $3.49.

“This packaging format allows us to achieve two objectives: provide a lower price point for single serve demand and provide rigid packaging to meet the requirements of niche markets such as gift baskets.” said Greg Cater, vice president of Sales.

Sconza Candy has been making confections since 1939. The Sconza premium chocolate collection features pairings of fruit and nuts with chocolate.

For more information, contact Sconza Candy, 919 81st avenue, Oakland, CA 94621. 510 568-8137. Grcater@sconzacandy.com

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Product Review - Leaning Oak Vineyards

April 20th, 2008

Company: Leaning Oak Vineyards
Products Reviewed: Wine Conserves and Wine Sauces.

Conserves (Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel Conserve, Pinot Noir Conserve, Chardonnay Conserve)

Packaging/Labeling: very classy and clean with glossy finish. Would work well as gift basket item. Beautiful design and imagery for each individual product.

Taste/Consistency/Quality: wonderful consistency, tremendous flavor. The wine flavor is not overpowering, but still present.

Uniqueness: one of a kind! Sugar and alcohol free process is truly unique. There are similar products labeled as “wine jams” or “wine jellies”, but not “wine conserves”. A google search for “wine conserves” yielded only results for Leaning Oaks, no competitors in sight.

Comparables: – Montecurto Wine Jellies, Napa Valley Wine Jellies, Arbor Hill

Price Point: average-slightly high, which is expected for a high-end product. Price per ounce is in-line with comparables. Target markets could/would be upscale gourmet stores, wineries, and gift stores

Wine Sauces

Packaging/Labeling: Very nice look-and-feel with classy labels. Beautiful use of colors. Bottle is very common, but quality labeling helps it stand out.

Taste/Consistency/Quality: great taste, surprising that no sugar or alcohol is used. Makes a good marinade or grilling sauce for chicken. Makes a unique drizzle sauce over rice and vegetables too.

Uniqueness: very unique selling proposition/process that could really make a splash in the marketplace. There are plenty of wine-infused products on the market, but none quite like this.

Comparables: Vino de Milo All Natural Simmer Sauces, Buckhead Gourmet Wine Finishing Sauces, Delicae Gourmet

Price Point: above average-high

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Product Review - Russian River Fine Foods

April 20th, 2008

Company: Russian River Fine Foods
Products Reviewed: Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup, Smoky River Barbecue Sauce.

Roasted Garlic Teriyaki Sauce

Packaging/Labeling: Very nice look-and-feel. Beautiful use of colors. Common bottle, but quality labeling. Does not list company URL on label.

Taste/Consistency/Quality: great garlic taste, with a hint of sweetness. Perfect as marinade for chicken and drizzle sauce over rice.

Uniqueness: in a very competitive, saturated market segment.

Comparables: Stonewall Kitchen, Asian Creations by Linh & Loann, Inc

Price Point: low

Possible Obstacles: great competition, heavy to ship. Retail price leads to believe that only very small margins are possible when selling wholesale and/or when involving brokers and distributors.

Possible Opportunities: high end product for attractive retail price.

Chipotle Ketchup

Packaging/Labeling: Very nice look-and-feel. Common bottle, but quality labeling. Does not list company URL on label.

Taste/Consistency/Quality: very unique ketchup, fresh tasting. Very balanced in flavors.

Uniqueness: very unique product in the large condiment segment. Very little competition.

Comparables: www.millbreaux.com, http://www.ketchapeno.com/id2.html

Price Point: average-low

Possible Obstacles: heavy to ship, need to get people to try for first time.

Possible Opportunities: very unique product that appeals to chileheads and curious shoppers.

Notes: great, unique product. We have seen a few companies come to market with a chipotle ketchup, and it is becoming more and more popular. Push this product hard and stay on the leading edge before it becomes too common of an item.

Smoky River Barbecue Sauce

Packaging/Labeling: Quality bottling and labeling. Beautiful color scheme. Does not list company URL on label

Taste/Consistency/Quality: unique flavor, fresh tasting.

Uniqueness: great unique flavor, but very saturated market. Hard to differentiate product in BBQ Sauce category.

Comparables: Maurice’s BBQ Sauce, Texas Firehouse, Bone Suckin’ Sauce

Price Point: average-low

Possible Obstacles: great competition, heavy to ship. Retail price leads to believe that only very small margins are possible when selling wholesale and/or when involving brokers and distributors

Possible Opportunities: high end product for great price should be attractive to retailers and consumers alike. Beautiful packaging will be appealing on shelves.

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iBuyGourmet.com launches online wholesale directory

April 20th, 2008

April 2008 - iBuyGourmet.com, an online directory of gourmet/specialty foods is proud to announce the launch of their long-awaited wholesale portal – a program that allows gourmet/specialty food retailers, gift basket companies, and distributors to source unique food products at wholesale prices online.

Retailers can register for free with proof of valid business establishment in order to access the password protected website. Once registered and approved, retailers can read product reviews written by other retailers, rank products of interest in their profile’s ‘consideration list’, download digital brochures and order forms, and submit online purchase orders 24/7. 

The site also adds a new level of interactivity for visitors with online product demonstration videos and ‘live chat’ – a feature that allows visitors to communicate with vendors in real-time.

With over 70 vendors and 500 products listed at time of launch, company officials are confident about future growth projections based on last year’s growth and wholesale demand from their retail site. iBuyGourmet.com’s retail site experienced 400% growth last year, with an estimated 40% of visitors being wholesale buyers seeking products for re-sell.

Manufacturers of gourmet and specialty food items available at wholesale prices can submit products for consideration by visiting the website at www.ibuygourmet.com/wholesale or by calling 800.975.7068.

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Product Review - Amore Chocolate Pizza Company

April 20th, 2008

Company: Amore Chocolate Pizza Company
Products Reviewed: Chocolate Pizza

Packaging/Labeling: (Pros): simple box design that resembles real pizza box. (Cons): box did not stay closed or sealed, seems a bit flimsy. (Recommendation): find better solution for keeping box together and stronger. A combination of sealing-stickers on each side and perhaps a stronger box would make for a more professional and durable presentation.

Taste/Consistency/Quality: The ‘Break a leg’ was a definite favorite, covering all bases with flavor, consistency, and texture. Sweet, rich chocolate, salty peanuts, chewy marshmallows, and crispies gives something for everyone to love.

We found that eating the pizzas at room temperature was most enjoyable. When eating straight out of the refrigerator, the chocolate was too hard. This is really a varying opinion however, and the best analogy is real pizza: some like a crispy crunchy crust, while others prefer a soft and chewy crust.

Uniqueness: Amore chocolate pizza is truly unique with little competition in the market place. There are similar products out there, but none quite as unique as Amore. A google search for “chocolate pizza” yielded mainly recipe sites. When compared to others, Amore blows away the competition for the price.

Comparables: –
http://www.creativechocolatesofvt.com/Products/Pizzas.php3

http://www.drummondchocolates.com/

http://www.awesomecreations.com/Chocolate_Pizza.htm

Grand River Gourmet

Price Point: Average. Price per ounce is in-line with comparables, but Amore has much more to offer in terms of variety and quality. As a gift item, the price is perfect for such a unique item. As an everyday confection or treat, consumers may see it as being priced too high (not understanding what they are really getting).

Possible Obstacles: educating consumers will always be a difficult proposition. At first, most people will think of an actual baked pizza with chocolate toppings of some sort. In sales channels such as internet/ecommerce, people may shy away after initial glance. Also, shipping chocolate products during summer months is always a challenge. Cold-packing products would work, but creates additional cost for consumers, which may deter them from ordering.

Possible Opportunities: Chocolate Pizza is an ideal gift, perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, special events, and celebrations. In a day and age where consumers are turning to internet-mail order for gift-giving, a heavy internet marketing strategy would most likely yield best results. Gourmet retail stores and gift shops also present plenty of opportunity.

Notes: great products, very unique. We were unable to find much that is quite like these. Trade/Gift shows and online marketing would be great ways to educate buyers/consumers and generate some buzz.

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