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www.gourmetnews.com n JANUARY 2020 GOURMET NEWS 1 1 8 snack is made with simple, non-GMO, gluten-free ingredients, and at only 90 calo- ries per serving, these bite-sized morsels are the perfect guilt-free snack. Bella Sun Luci's plant-based jerky line is vegan, non-GMO, kosher and contains a good source of fiber, iron, Vitamin C, Vita- min K and an excellent source of potassium. There will be two delicious flavors derived from traditional jerky favorites with a sun dried tomato twist: Hickory Smoked and Sriracha. "The vegan population is growing and with it we are bringing forward-thinking foods that appeal to both vegans and non-ve- gans alike. We believe bringing sun dried tomatoes to the snack market, in this new and innovative plant-based jerky, marks the start of a health trend that's here to stay," says Mary Mooney, Owner of Mooney Farms. "As with all of our products, we're only using the highest quality ingredients to create a snack that customers will crave without any guilt." Bella Sun Luci is a line of premium Mediterranean-inspired products created from authentic family recipes. The line in- cludes a variety of deliciously sweet sun dried tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes in olive oil, sun dried tomato chipotle sauce, pasta sauces, bruschetta spreads, estate-grown olive oil, risotto, marinades and new vegan jerky. Bella Sun Luci is produced by Mooney Farms, a third generation, family- owned company based in Chico, California, that is rooted in quality, integrity and family values. Mooney Farms is the premier pro- ducer of sun dried tomatoes in the United States. For more information, visit booth #1442 or go to www.bellasunluci.com. Bella Sun Luci (Cont'd. from p. 1) Brownie Flavors: Chocolate, Toasted Co- conut, Dark Cherry, Cappuccino and new Mint Chocolate. Granola Flavors: Apple Cinnamon, Choco- late Chip, Pineapple Coconut & Mango, Ba- nana Coconut and Cranberry Orange. Toaster Bun Flavors: Original, Everything and Cinnamon Raisin. Cake Flavors: Chocolate and Carrot. Visit Flax4Life at booth #6559. For more in- formation or to order a sample, go to www.flax4life.net, call 360.715.1944 or email customerservice@flax4life.net. Follow the company on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Flax4Life (Cont'd. from p. 4) attention to craftsmanship, quality, authen- ticity and taste, it even has overseas staff headquartered in Italy to help source and in- terface directly with Italian suppliers. Every region has its own distinctive style of cuisine and Vertullo Imports' goal is to bring a myr- iad of authentic Italian flavors to your dishes. Italy is synonymous with pasta; however, Northern Italy is actually known for its rice and polenta. Vertullo Imports offers Arborio and Carnaroli Rice, Pearled Italian Farro, Quick Cooking Polenta and more. In addi- tion, it also offers a line of frozen, ready to cook and serve Risottos, available in Parme- san, Broccoli & Cauliflower, Porcini Mush- room and Saffron. Southern Italy is all about olive oil. Ver- tullo Imports' Mediterranean Blend Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a buttery flavor and fruity aroma. Enjoy it as an ingredient in dressings, soups and sauces or drizzle over pasta, fish and grilled vegetables. In addition to its Olive Oil, the company also has a line of Truffle Oils. Vertullo Imports can't talk about its Ital- ian ingredients without mentioning its Bal- samic Vinegar of Modena. Add an extra layer of depth, acidity and brightness to dressings, sauces, marinades, stews and more with the company's flavorful line of vinegars. Head south to Sicily and enjoy Vertullo Imports' Arancini rice balls. Each is blended with local mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and rolled in Italian breadcrumbs. If you're looking for authentic Italian in- gredients to elevate your next dish, look no further. Vertullo Imports is your source for the finest ingredients across the different re- gions throughout Italy. For more information, visit booth #2345. Vertullo Imports (Cont'd. from p. 1) adding to its family by partnering with pre- mium brands that are leaders in their cate- gories. Since the 1970s, Vermont Village has been at the forefront of the organic food movement and focused on providing its customers with wholesome, quality prod- ucts. Over time, the company has earned a loyal following of fans who especially love its apple sauces and sipping vinegars. Its Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce was voted the best-tasting apple sauce by Epi- curious in an independent taste test of 28 different brands. Its unique sipping vine- gars, which combine the health benefits of apple cider vinegar with the great taste of organic fruits, roots and spices, are a must- have for many. Its best-selling unsweetened apple sauce is well-loved for its rich, wholesome taste. Made in small batches using the whole apple including the peel, no water or sugar is added – just real fruit. A nutritious treat any time of day. It's available both in jars and in conven- ient, snack-sized cups that are great for busy families on the go. The apple cider vinegar is also crafted with care. Brimming with beneficial bacte- ria, apple cider vinegar has long been cele- brated for its digestive powers and feel-good properties. The Vermont Village version is raw and unfiltered with the living nutrients known as the "mother" intact, pre- serving the best of natural fermentation. Certified organic and non-GMO, this apple cider vinegar is delicious in dishes, mixed with seltzer or – for those who love the tart taste – taken straight. Those less inclined to imbibe it as-is will love the company's line of sipping vinegars, which are made with raw honey and infused with organic blue- berries, cranberries, ginger and other flavor- ful ingredients. Available in 8-ounce bottles or in handy single-shot pouches, these vine- gars are a great choice for any health- minded customer. This brand is an excellent addition to the Stonewall Kitchen family. From apple sauce to apple cider vinegar, Vermont Village has good taste covered, crafting wholesome and delicious products that are good to their core. For more information, visit booth #5327 or go to www.stonewallkitchen.com. Stonewall Kitchen (Cont'd. from p. 1) Jasper Specialty Foods products into the hands of health-conscious almond lovers around the world. Jake's Nut Roasters is a creative line of specialty almond snacks with distinctively bold flavors. These almonds are in fact "Straight from Jake's Orchard" showcas- ing the company's vertical integration and commitment to sustainable growing prac- tices. Jake's almonds provide an unparal- leled snacking experience, and make eating this healthy snack both fun and sat- isfying. Produced in a dedicated peanut- free facility, these premium California al- monds are dry roasted and seasoned in small batches to deliver exceptional qual- ity. Jake's 7-ounce can has a cool, classic appearance that looks great on store shelves, kitchen counters or table center- pieces. Take them on-the-go or conve- niently fit them into the cup holder of your car. Almonds are an essential plant-based snacking alternative providing numerous health benefits with key protein, vitamins and minerals, which should always be part of a healthy diet. Be sure to try some of Jake's bold and unique seasoned almond products, "Straight from Jake's Orchard" to you. 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 in that, first and foremost, it is farmers seeking to grow and produce the finest almonds in the world by controlling every aspect of the process in- cluding planting, farming, harvesting, pro- cessing, 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 excep- tional quality. California almonds from Jake's Nut Roasters are the perfect pairing of bold new flavors and traditional, handcrafted production. Visit Jasper Specialty Foods at booth #5964. For more information, call 800.255.1641 or go to www.jasperspecialtyfoods.com or www.jakesnutroasters.com. Jake's Nut Roasters (Cont'd. from p. 1) manufacturer of fresh salsas, hummus and chips. When I refer to fresh salsa, I refer to a salsa made with tomatoes or other in- gredients that were never heated or cooked. You can find these products in the fresh section of your grocery store such as the deli or produce. In fact, Garden Fresh Gourmet is the number one fresh salsa brand in the United States and most no- tably known for its Jack's Special Salsa. GN: How do you see the hummus category evolving? LC: Hummus has been growing for the past 15 years, however household penetra- tion on average is only around 30 percent. Products have traditionally been focused on chickpea recipes, but there is a big trend towards legumes and other beans where the main ingredients are white, black beans, edamame and even lentils. These are mixed with various combina- tions of unique ingredients like vegeta- bles, and even chocolate! Have you ever tried a dessert hummus? It has the benefits of classic hummus and tastes great with fruit or baked goods. Hummus really is a very versatile product. There are so many uses for it from adding it to your favorite salad dressing to topping it with grilled chicken. GN: What other trends are you seeing? LC: Increasingly there is a demand for fresh, plant-based products. Consumers, especially Millennials and Gen Z, know fresh just tastes better. Consumers are reading the ingredients on their products, and are making more in- formed healthy choices. Plant-based proteins and meat alternatives are also very popular. We see items like tofu and vegan sausages growing strongly over the next couple of years as consumers seek out plant-based protein alternative products not only for their health, but for their impact on the environment. These products are lead- ing the way for vegans, vegetarians and also for flexitarians to incorporate healthier op- tions into their diet. GN: What opportunities do you see in the fresh category? LC: There is a large opportunity to bring con- sumers to do more of their shopping along the perimeter of the store where you find fresh products versus the aisles. Once consumers try fresh products, they taste the difference fresh ingredients make and are hooked. Cross promotions and demos are a great way to en- courage trial. At the end of the day, better for you, fresh food is always a key for growth. For more information, visit booth #1050 or go to www.gardenfreshgourmet.com. Garden Fresh Gourmet (Cont'd. from p. 1)

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