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NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n MARCH 2019 n GOURMET NEWS N H 1 0 4 Innovative Products from the Desert Since its establishment in 1985, Cheri's Desert Harvest has been creating innova- tive products made with fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown and hand har- vested in the Sonoran Desert. Using fresh ingredients and processing them in the firm's facility creates a finished product with exceptional flavor and nutrient val- ues. Fresh ingredients include prickly pear cactus fruit, citrus, peppers of many vari- eties and several local honeys that are all used to make preserves, syrups, candies and quick mix combos including a baking mix coupled with a preserve. The firm re- cently won the Best Food & Beverage En- trepreneur – Arizona award and Best Souvenir in Arizona. Consumers are more likely to purchase products that contain organic and natural in- gredients especially from companies that are environmentally conscious. Every Cheri's Desert Harvest product is produced from lo- cally grown, sustainable produce or fresh fruit concentrates that are grown and processed in the USA. Each product contains no preservatives, additives, artificial flavors or coloring, only the pure essence of nature's fresh flavors captured in a bottle. The flavor profile of each product is exceptional and unique, but each share the same attributes: certified organic cactus fruit by USDA and ASCO, gluten free, kosher certified, made in the USA, and ingredients are pure, unadul- terated and simple, which ensures a clean, delicious and nutritious end product. In addition to Cheri's food manufacturing busi- ness and striving to be stew- ards of our environment, the company decided to find ways of using all parts of the certified organic prickly pear cactus fruit, the largest fruit crop that she uses for her pre- serves. Utilizing leftover juice to dye cloth- ing spawned a new apparel business. The seeds from the waste of the cactus fruit, once separated, cleaned and processed creates a rich, anti-aging oil for the cosmetic industry. Waste from the processes are donated to two non-profit organizations for compost, then sold to the public. As such, new, distinctive products have been created from nature, re- ducing waste and supporting the local econ- omy. Cheri's Desert Harvest and subsidiary businesses are living proof that responsible manufac- turing companies can use na- ture's bounty to multiple ends that not only build successful, sustainable businesses, but also contribute to our lives as well as protect the environment. Being fiscally and environ- mentally responsible sets these companies apart as examples for all food manufactur- ers. Enjoy a taste of the Southwest from the fruits of the desert, where flavor comes nat- urally! For more information, go to www.cheris desertharvest.com, call 800.743.1141 or email shipping.cheris@gmail.com. Gourmet International: Your European Importer of Choice Gourmet International has been importing and distributing fine specialty foods and confections for 29 years and counting. Gourmet International is also the exclusive importer of 40 European sweet and savory brands. These brands include ALB-Gold, Asbach, Bechtle, Belfine, Biogold, Black Forest Girl, Breitsamer, Butlers, Dallmayr, Delba, Fit n' Free, Gadeschi, Grocholl, The Grown Up Chocolate Company, Günthart, Hachez, Hela, Hengstenberg, Hengstenberg 1876, Hero Nectars, Jacobsens of Den- mark, J. Luehders Vegan Gummies, Kane Candy, Kartoffelland, Kathi, Lorenz, Löwensenf, Maintal, Mangini, Messori Cono Snack, Mr. Stanley, Nektar Quell, ORO di Parma, Quickbury, Reber, Riesa, Rügenfisch, Satri, Schladerer, Shortbread House of Edinburgh, Venchi, Vergani and Wicklein. In January 2017, Gourmet International relocated into a newly built 125,000 square foot building to support the company's rapid growth and to better serve its customers. Gourmet International strives to bring you the best possi- ble selections for your stores at competitive prices to guarantee your complete and ut- most satisfaction. Its customer service staff and sales representatives are poised to help you to the best of their ability with product selections and merchandising strategies. As a national distributor, Gourmet Inter- national utilizes its trucks and other shipping companies such as DSV, FedEx, Frozen Food Express, JKC and UTL to ensure its products reach you in a proper and timely manner. As a family owned company, Gourmet International understands the importance of family in daily life. By distributing a wide variety of the finest specialty foods to your stores, it is making shared moments and enjoyable memories in many homes that will last a lifetime. For more information, go to www.gourmetint.com, call 800.875.5557 or email info@gourmetint.com. Sticky Fingers Bakeries Introduces Three Gluten-Free Mix Choices Sticky Fingers Bakeries is excited to intro- duce three mixes to its gluten-free selection: Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes, Pumpkin Pancakes and Fudge Brownies. "We've had an overwhelmingly positive response to our gluten-free scones," says Tom Owens, Sticky Fingers Bakeries Owner and co-Founder. "We wanted diversify our lineup, and make sure our gluten-free friends had some new flavors to add to their present lineup." The GF Buttermilk Pancakes are the per- fect way to ease into the cooler weather and shorter days. The subtle buttermilk taste blended with a sorghum flour base pairs nicely with an anytime breakfast. The GF Brownies are also a great choice for parents looking for lunchbox additions or crowd-pleasing soccer snacks. Fudge Chocolate Brownies have been a favorite with pint-sized taste testers as well as their parents. "A lot of people are looking for gluten-free options now," Owens says. "I think the biggest compliment we've received is that most people can't even tell they are gluten- free." Sticky Fingers now offers five gluten-free scone mixes. In addition to the Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Cranberry, there's also Wild Blueberry, Meyer Lemon and Original fla- vored scones. The company maintains its commitment to quality with its gluten-free line. The gluten-free scone mixes are certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) and pro- duced according to GFCO standards in a dedicated gluten-free facility using only kosher-certified ingredients. Sticky Fingers Bakeries has used only the finest ingredients since it began as a retail bakery in San Diego more than 25 years ago. Sticky Fingers prides itself on what its mixes don't include: preservatives, artificial flavors or colorings, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or cho- lesterol. "We want to highlight our ingredients, and give our cus- tomers something they can feel good about eating and serving to their family and friends," Owens says. Sticky Fingers Bakeries sells its products around the globe. In addition to gluten-free scone mixes, the company also offers a wide variety of easy-to-make scone and brownie mixes, Irish soda bread, premium Northwest jams, fruit butters, pepper jellies and English curds. For more information, go to www.sticky fingersbakeries.com. Jake's New Roasted Salted Inshell Almonds Jake, a fourth-generation member of the Jasper Family, is proud to continue the farm- ing traditions of his great-grandfather that have been passed down for over 70 years. Since 1948, a commitment to quality and in- novation has propelled many fine Jasper Specialty Foods products into the hands of health-conscious almond lovers around the world. Brand new to the mix of Jake's Nut Roast- ers creative line of specialty almond snacks is Jake's distinctively packaged Roasted Salted Inshell Almonds. Definitely a twist on today's typical packaged almond products, these inshell almonds provide an unparal- leled snacking experience, and make eating this healthy, plant-based snack both fun and satisfying ... and they are perfect for sharing, too! Produced in a dedicated peanut-free facil- ity and sourced from Jake's own orchards, these premium California almonds are dry roasted and seasoned in small batches to de- liver exceptional quality. Health benefits abound with California almonds, which con- tain a wholesome blend of both monounsat- urated and polyunsaturated fats known to help reduce cholesterol levels and support cardiovascular health. Jake's Roasted Salted Inshell Almonds are packaged in a unique and reusable 16-ounce burlap bag, allowing for easy access and convenient storage. Jake's rustic burlap bag has a classic, masculine appearance that looks great on a store shelf, kitchen counter or table centerpiece. Reach in and grab a handful of these tasty almonds ... just twist and crack for a delicious snack! Be sure to try some of Jake's other bold and unique sea- soned almond products, "Straight from Jake's Orchard" to you. About Jasper Specialty Foods Jasper Specialty Foods is a multi-genera- tional, family-run operation headquartered in Newman, California, specializing in the pro- duction of unique almond related food snacks, confections and other treats for the specialty food market. "From Farm to Mar- ket" is a slogan often used to epitomize the philosophy of the company. First and fore- most, it is farmers seeking to grow and produce the finest almonds in the world by controlling every as- pect of the process including plant- ing, farming, harvesting, processing, packaging, sales and distribution. Some of its popular brands include Nunes Farms, Jake's Nut Roasters and Jasper Ranch, to name a few. The company is ac- tively involved in developing new flavors, custom mixes and smart packaging with an emphasis on small batch process and exceptional quality. California almonds from Jake's Nut Roasters are the perfect pairing of bold new flavors and tra- ditional, handcrafted production. For more information, call 800.255.1641 or go to www.jasperspecialtyfoods.com or www.jakesnutroasters.com.

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