Oser Communications Group

NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n MARCH 2020 n GOURMET NEWS N H 1 2 6 than many might actually be aware of. In fact, there are numerous different types of sugar, and each one has its own unique prop- erties and effects on the body. Similarly, there are countless different sources of sugar. But if you are an athlete, there is one in par- ticular that you should be seeking out, as it offers special advantages for performance: honey. "Because of both its makeup and consis- tency, honey is easy to consume, easy to di- gest and also easily absorbed by the body, making it an incredibly efficient fuel source that is ideal for sports performance," says Kayla Martin, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., and the director for performance nutrition services at Penn State University. As Martin indicates, there are a number of factors that make honey a prime energy source for athletic performance. To start, it is a much purer sugar than many of its highly processed counterparts, like cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. As athletes look to prioritize pure, 'real' foods that are less processed and feature quality ingredients, honey is an energy source that rises to the top. When it comes to high intensity activity, that pure, simple sugar source is exactly what you need to fuel your system. As Mar- tin states, honey is incredibly easy to con- sume. It dissolves in your mouth, so you don't even have to chew it, and it breaks down quickly and easily. This helps stave off digestion issues during activity, and also helps facilitate fast energy conversion. Furthermore, honey offers the ideal com- bination of carbohydrates for quick energy. It contains two different sugar types, both fructose and glucose (along with water), which enables it to be more easily and effi- ciently absorbed by the body than other sugar sources. This rapid absorption makes it immediately available to use as fuel, and to restock glycogen stores in the muscles for sustained energy. How can you most effectively incorporate honey into your own training and daily life, to help take your athletic performance to the next level? Becci Twombley, R.D., CSSD, and the Di- rector of Sports Nutrition at the University of Southern California, urges her athletes to utilize natural carbohydrates for energy, opt for real food over supplements, and to keep convenient, healthy fueling sources readily available, like Honey Stinger sports nutrition products. "I like to keep quick carbohydrate options in locker and weight rooms to help athletes top off energy stores," she says. "Honey Stinger waffles and chews are good options because the honey is easy to absorb and pro- vides sustained energy without a crash... By using natural carbohydrate sources like honey and fruit, we maximize the nutrient absorption and ensure each athlete will have energy available to maintain a workload in- tense enough to stimulate muscle growth." Visit Honey Stinger at booth #5178. For more information, email sales@ honeystinger.com or go to www.honey stinger.com. Honey Stinger (Cont'd. from p. 1) nuts, dried fruit and other organic ingredients ready for the U.S. market. We have products and packaging for retail and offer products, ingredients and packaging for private label. The Naturkost Group, a global company with expertise in farm to fork products and know-how of cultivating, farming, process- ing and packaging ancient grains and other organic products and ingredients is excited to earn your business. Unlike many trading companies, Naturkost owns facilities in Peru, Mexico and Germany and warehousing in the USA to directly service its customers world- wide and support product needs in the USA. In business in the U.S. since 2015 and globally since 1987, the company engaged with ONE NATURE Organic, a German or- ganic company to collaborate in the USA. Working with ONE NATURE Organic, ac- cording to Marc Netten, Chief Executive Of- ficer of Naturkost USA INC., is a logical step into the packaged goods market to distribute those products through food, drug and mass market outlets and the specialty food trade. Alexander Krause, in charge of the U.S. expansion of ONE NATURE Organic, con- firmed that their investment in a manufactur- ing site in Indonesia and Germany is an opportunity for both to collaborate in a prod- uct range that continues to see growth and innovation. Therefore, Naturkost USA is rep- resenting ONE NATURE Organic coconut products in the U.S. moving forward with the goal to together present product innovation and quality to U.S. consumers through dis- tributor and retailer relationships. The ONE NATURE Organic facility in Bin- tan, Indonesia, which was completed in 2019, manufactures, processes, prepares and packages organic coconut products. Products we will show are coconut waters with different flavor profiles, coconut milk drinks, coconut powders, functional coconut ingredients for hydration type applications and dried coconut chips. Both companies aligned because of simi- lar values and philosophies in sustainability, protective farming, high standards in quality control, certifications and documentation. The sourcing teams collaborate and work to- gether to assure that products are in accor- dance to U.S. regulations. Product testing, certifications such as GMO free, vegan, kosher and others are standard and are being enhanced as the market shifts. Besides offering fantastic products, the company maintains an office in Fort Laud- erdale, Florida, warehouses in Chicago, Illi- nois, also California, and a customer support team. Products will be inventoried to ensure that orders are processed quickly, if smaller quantities are desired. Container orders will come directly from the source to the cus- tomer by Naturkost providing all customs and shipping services. One of the key elements for both compa- nies is the desire to enhance and create awareness of the impact farming has to the world. Not only are products being sourced from small co-ops and growers, but educa- tional activities, financial support and con- tinued education are passed back to those who own the lands. Both companies distribute "peace of mind," as everything we source and sell is the absolute best. We guarantee it. For more information, visit booth #2452 in Hall C or go to www.naturkost-usa.com. Naturkost USA (Cont'd. from p. 1) of Urban Accents Meatless Meals Any Night of the Week Each Urban Accents Meatless Mix takes only 15 minutes to prepare and provides the base for a hearty, flavorful vegetarian meal. Nearly 45 percent of people identify as flex- itarians, or mostly vegetarians who limit their consumption of meat. Urban Accents aims to help them and others experimenting with vegetarian cooking by creating conven- ient favorites to add to their weekly culinary repertoire. Inspired, Global Flavors Urban Accents is a flavor expert. Inspired by global travel, trendy restaurants, comfort food classics and street food, the company creates fantastic taste experiences crafted with natural ingredients. Its new Meatless Mixes are no exception. Taste buds will tin- gle with layered, nuanced flavors: Honey Barbecue Sloppy Joes, Sweet Black Garlic Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps and Smokin' Chipotle Street Tacos. Plant-Powered, Natural Ingredients Urban Accents uses natural ingredients. You can read the back of the pack and not only pronounce the ingredients listed, but recognize them too! Each serving includes a hearty 11 grams of protein. The soy- based mix is flavored with natural herbs and spices and delivers a meat-like texture with enough hearty bite to anchor the main dish. Convenience for Curious Home Cooks As "your Culinary Wingman," Urban Ac- cents always has your back in the kitchen. Never a dump and stir, its products al- ways help you actually cook, with confi- dence. Meatless Mixes have an easy recipe on the back of the package along with serving suggestions. With the addi- tion of just a few fresh ingredients, its spiced, plant-powered protein provides a satisfying, out-of-the-ordinary culinary experience. Urban Accents removes the intimidating learning curve while still providing room for experimentation and personalization. Feel Good Food Vegetarian diets are proven to have numer- ous health benefits and are more gentle on the planet. Urban Accents avoids chemicals and artificial flavors and crafts its products in small batches to provide products it feels good about selling and that you can feel good about eating. Real food. Good for you. Good for the environment. Urban Accents' new Meatless Mixes are avail- able in three flavors: Honey Barbecue Sloppy Joes, Sweet Black Garlic Korean BBQ Lettuce Wraps and Smokin' Chipotle Street Taco. Visit Urban Accents at booth #N937. For more information, email customerservice@ urbanaccents.com. Urban Accents (Cont'd. from p. 1) Ricchiuti and I, representing the third and fourth generation of Ricchiuti Family Farms, sought to further diversify our agricultural business. Through industry research con- ducted by the University California Davis Olive Center, we discovered 98 percent of all olive oil consumed in the United States is im- ported. Further studies revealed a high per- centage of the imported olive oil on American supermarket shelves continually failed to meet the sensory criteria for being officially classified as "extra virgin" as defined by the International Olive Council (IOC) and Euro- pean Union (EU) standards. Therefore, with an earnest desire to craft and provide domes- tic consumers with the finest oil, we founded ENZO Olive Oil Company in 2008. GN: What makes ENZO unique? VR: ENZO's operation is vertically inte- grated, meaning the entire growing, harvest- ing, milling, bottling and shipping process is completed from start to finish on-site, pro- ducing one of the most premium organic oils available. The certified organic olive trees – planted in an optimal climate, similar to the Mediterranean region – are carefully nurtured year-round. Once harvested at prime condi- tions, the olives are transported immediately from grove to mill where the crush begins. As a proud member of the California Olive Oil Council and the American Olive Oil Producers Association, ENZO Olive Oil Company adheres to the most stringent stan- dards in the world and shares in the organi- zations' mission of promoting fresh, certified extra virgin olive oil. ENZO Olive Oil is also sanctioned or- ganic by the United States Department of Agriculture, certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers, kosher certified by Kosher Supervision of America, as well as certified by the Non-GMO Project. GN: How has ENZO evolved since 2008? VR: ENZO Olive Oil Company is commit- ted to the ongoing development of delectable provisions showcasing the bounty of Califor- nia. With this is mind, our family launched a line of organic balsamic vinegars that pair perfectly with ENZO organic olive oil. We also introduced artisanal pantry items such as handcrafted almond butter made with Ric- chiuti Family Farms' almonds, as well as a line of pesto made with ENZO extra virgin olive oil. Lastly, our limited release of ENZO Crush extra virgin olive oil has been another celebrated addition. This highly sought-after oil begins with 100 percent estate-grown olives which are then milled with organic fresh clementines, organic Fresno chili pep- pers or organic basil. The result is excep- tional, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil yielding a natural essence and aroma. Alto- gether, our family continually looks to en- hance and expand ENZO's product offerings to meet consumer demands. Visit ENZO Olive Oil Company at booth #5396. For more information, go to www.prfarms.com or www.enzooliveoil.com, email info@ prfarms.com or info@enzooliveoil.com or call 559.299.7278. ENZO (Cont'd. from p. 1)

• Cover