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Chain Drugstore Daily 5 1 Sunday, August 26, 2018 Damascus Bakeries Introduces Brooklyn Bred An interview with David Mafoud, Principal and third-generation Baker, Damascus Bakeries, Brooklyn, New York and Newark, New Jersey. CDD: What is Brooklyn Bred ® and why that name? DM: Our company, Damascus Bakeries, was born in Brooklyn in 1930, and we've been bred there ever since. In other words, we are real Brooklynites, and proud to be so. The Brooklyn Bred brand name signifies our newer line of special- ized, highly fermented and authentic bistro flatbreads, which we have been introducing to the market. CDD: You are not changing your compa- ny name, just adding this Brooklyn Bred brand under its banner? DM: Yes, that is correct. I like to think that the Damascus Bakeries name is the parent brand, while the Brooklyn Bred is the hipster child. We are one big family, and expect in time that the market will come to know us as both. CDD: What makes your Pizza Crusts dif- ferent from others? DM: The bite. The texture. The flavor. Our Traditional Crusts are formulated with specialty "00" pizza flour, which helps create a light and crispy bite. We also ferment our doughs extensively, which adds distinctive flavor, aroma and texture. Plus the water, right? CDD: Are you finding that chains and stores are willing to pay for this differ- ence? DM: Formulating with "00" and olive oil, fermenting extensively does add costs, but really, not all that much. Personally, we feel that c-stores can only benefit by working with value added crusts like our Brooklyn Bred crusts. First, today's consumer is much more discerning and demanding with regards to culinary offerings. A tighter wallet may change some lifestyle choices but we do not feel that the appetite will be impacted. Second, with a tighter economy, the c-store path and evolution as a provider of finer meal solutions to its consumers may become attractive to many who reg- ularly gas up at the c-store but still elect to eat elsewhere. CDD: How are your Bistro Buns being received in the market? DM: Our Buns are featured in sandwich- es in several of America's top chains. Modestly, it comes as no surprise to us as our Bistro Buns are simply delicious and different. We offer them in Country Potato, Olive Oil & Sea Salt and Sprouted Grains. We can customize them – size, shape and thickness – so our cus- tomers can provide their customers with exciting breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, as well as the all day, all night pub burger. CDD: What's next for the Brooklyn Bred line? DM: More delicious and authentic Bistro Flatbreads, customized for today's market and needs. We expect to launch a sandwich-sized line of "Focaccia di Recco,' which is known in Italy as the real Focaccia bread. We will be developing a line of topped flatbreads as well. CDD: If your parents and grandparents were still with us, what do you think they would say about the growing success of your company in the past years? DM: 'Don't let it go to our heads! Let the success go to our customers, our employ- ees and our community.' CDD: Anything thing else they may add? DM: That no matter what you do with your life, no matter where you may go in your life, there's no Bred like home! For more information, go to www.damascus bakery.com or www.brooklynbred.com, or contact David Mafoud at dm@damascus bakery.com. Peanut Products from Bell Plantation Bell Plantation was born of one simple charge – to develop new and different products to deal with a large surplus of stored peanuts. From this charge a star was born: PB2 Powdered Peanut Butter. In removing 85 percent of the fat by pressing the roasted peanuts, Bell Plantation developed a tasty alternative to traditional peanut butters, and people have taken notice! PB2 is popular with athletes for its ability to add delicious fla- vor and additional protein to meals. Chefs appreciate the ease of use in recipes both savory and sweet. Anyone watching their calories or fat intake can appreciate the flavor of peanut butter without the guilt. Following in the footsteps of PB2 is Chocolate PB2, which adds premium cocoa to the mix for a rich chocolate peanut flavor that is absolutely delec- table. Chocolate PB2 only tastes sinful, though, as it is just as healthful as the original PB2. Bell Plantation realized early on that the roasted peanut oil that had been pressed from the peanuts was too deli- cious to lose. Its Unfiltered Extra Virgin Gourmet Roasted Peanut Oil has a rich nutty flavor that tastes great on every- thing from vegetables to chicken or fish. It is a delicious addition to recipes, as a drizzle on vegetables or salads, or for sautéing to give foods a rich roasted peanut flavor. The possibilities are end- less! Bell Plantation also recognizes that not everyone is look- ing for an alternative to traditional peanut butters. That is why Bell Plantation also produces Plantation 1883 Peanut Butter in both smooth and crunchy. Plantation 1883 is all natural and sweetened with a touch of molasses for an unbeatable flavor. In 2015, Bell Plantation introduced Plantation 1883 Chocolate, peanut butter with premium chocolate. Decadent, delicious and decidedly delightful, Plantation 1883 Chocolate is destined to be your next peanut butter craving. One day, the company Chief Executive Officer was putting Plantation 1883 on his crackers and thought, "What if we could turn peanut butter into crack- ers?" The result was Bell Plantation PB2thins, a crunchy, slightly sweet and totally addictive cracker that packs the full creamy taste of peanut butter into 100 calo- ries with 3 grams of protein per all nat- ural serving. Bell Plantation also pro- duces PB2thins in a gluten free version that is just as tasty as the original. As the Bell Plantation family of products continues to grow, you can count on its promise that when you buy Bell Plantation products, you are choos- ing flavorful healthy foods that are good for you and your family. For more information, go to www.bellplantation.com.