Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/139793
140 GOURMET NEWS www.gourmetnews.com MRS. RENFRO'S SALSA EXPANDS DISTRIBUTION TO SPAIN Renfro Foods, manufacturer of Mrs. Renfro's Salsas, can now be found in Spain through distribution with Madrid-based grocery chain Taste of America. Besides its own stores, Taste of America will also distribute to supermarkets and multiples nationwide. This is the fifth international distribution for the 73-year-old family business, having products already in place in Canada, the Caribbean, England and Scotland. An initial order for 5,000 jars, placed in stores in Madrid, Barcelona and the Iberian peninsula, includes seven salsas – Black Bean, Chipotle Corn, Mango Habanero, Medium, Mild, Peach, and Tequila. "We are quite excited about this new expansion," said Renfro Foods President Doug Renfro, who has had periodic contacts and interest in bringing the Mrs. Renfro's brand to Spain during the past 10 years. "We appreciate the diligence put forth by Euro Fine Foods in the U.K. in helping us get Mrs. Renfro's into this market." All Mrs. Renfro's salsas are gluten-free, fat-free and made only with natural ingredients, taking great pride in providing consumers with the freshest ingredients and spices. The great taste and dependability of Mrs. Renfro's salsa has not gone unnoticed. Mrs. Renfro's Ghost Pepper Salsa, now a No. 3 best-seller after only two years, was selected as a Top Pick by "Good Morning America" Food Editor Sara Moulton in a preview segment of the 2011 Summer Fancy Food Show; the Habanero salsa was named among "125 Best Packaged Foods n JUNE 2013 n GOURMET NEWS for Women" by Women's Health magazine and its Pineapple salsa was named a "Best Savory Snack in Fitness magazine's fifth Annual Healthy Food Awards. Renfro Foods has also been cited with several business awards as well. In addition to its international distribution, Renfro Foods' variety of salsas, sauces and relishes, including more than 30 Mrs. Renfro's products, are readily found in leading supermarkets, gourmet foods stores and gift shops in all 50 states. For more information, visit booth 2166 at the Summer Fancy Food Show or go online to www.renfrofoods.com. research into new products and into the creation of appealing packaging. Agritalia is currently developing a line of functional pastas (gluten free, pasta for diabetics, pasta without proteins, etc.) and a line of frozen products (snacks, finger foods, pizzas, risotto, and desserts) of high quality. Agritalia has also implemented a customer area on the website agritalia.com, conceived and created for the needs of each customer. Its goal is to bring the Agritalia customers information that simplifies their work as much as possible. Agritalia knows the markets, which is essential for a vendor of food products, which are in many cases commodities themselves (wheat, olive oil, tomatoes), and the company realizes the importance of full appre- ciation of the trends and deep knowledge of what competitors are offering. Anticipating market trends and offering competitive advantages are principles of absolute importance to develop "win-win" business relationships with the customers. Transparency and reliability are what have allowed Agritalia to have customers who've been with the company for more than 20 years. These customers see Agritalia not only as a supplier but as a partner with whom to share business and marketing strategies. stresses the positive medicinal values of Hawaiian Sea Salts coupled with tropical flavors, making eating healthy fun. Laura started selling her products at her sister's business "Aunty Lilikoi" and craft fairs on Kauai to put her children Sean and Nicole through college. Sean graduated with a BS in Media Production and is in charge of creating the Salty Wahine Youtube cooking channel and marketing products at Aloha Festivals throughout the United States. Nicole is an honor student from WSU and is being groomed to take over all administrative, marketing, and social media duties and will work full time at Salty Wahine after graduating. In addition, Nicole's face is on Salty Wahine's logo. Laura met her husband David in 2009 and he has been instrumental in growing the business with her over the last four years. David's daughter Kendall has become the top salesperson at craft fairs and farmers' markets. Salty Wahine products can be found at stores worldwide, including hotels and restaurants throughout Hawaii, the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. Salty Wahine is an active member of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce, Kauai County Farm Bureau, Kauai Grown, Kauai Made, and SFA. Laura shares her experience with other small business owners through the Mayor's office, the Chamber of Commerce, and Kauai Farm Bureau. Salty Wahine was one of eight Kauai Made companies chosen to represent Kauai at the Hawaii themed International Flower Show held in Philadelphia in 2012. Gourmet International now also offers some of the finest retail brands in the world, including Butler's Chocolates from Ireland, Pernigotti Chocolates from Italy, Reber Fine Chocolates from Germany, Santander Chocolates from Colombia, Beauty Sweeties Antioxidant Fruit Candies from Germany and the award-winning Kane Candy Chocolate Party Cups from the United States. Other specialty food brands include Bre- itsamer Honeys, Alb-Gold Pastas, Bechtle Pastas, Hela Curry Sauces, Hengstenberg Pickles and sauerkrauts, Maintal Fruit Spreads, Lorenz Snacks, Katjes Candies, RugenFisch packaged seafoods, Lowensenf Mustards, Jacobs Coffees, Feldkamp Authentic German Breads, Delba Breads and Dallmayr Coffees, to name just a few of the fast-selling, award-winning brands. In addition to offering some of the world's finest specialty foods and confections, Gourmet International stays true to its German roots by remaining the No. 1 distribution source for Germany's best brands! Gourmet International's team of representatives throughout the U.S. and its inside customer support teams provide quality U.S. retailers and partner distributors with some of the biggest selling brands while also providing extensive merchandising and marketing programs tailored to meet and exceed customers' needs. Gourmet International offers award-winning products, superior service and competitive pricing on both imported and domestic foods for quality U.S. retailers and specialty distributors. Gourmet International will be showcasing some of its new and exciting import and domestic brands, show specials, new catalogs and more at the Summer Fancy Food Show. Cirio (Cont'd. from p. 1) or series of events affecting Cirio? Basil, Chili, and Onion and Garlic GNSE: Who are your target end-users? AGRITALIA: MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF ITALIAN FOOD EXPERTISE Over a quarter of a century, Agritalia has grown and become a reliable partner in several markets worldwide, both for private label programs and for its branded product lines. Today, Agritalia boasts experience and knowledge in products such as pasta, olive oils and balsamic vinegars, just to mention a few. Constant research into quality and excellence in services has brought Agritalia to invest in research and development with specialists who are in change of finding detailed solutions that meet the strategic needs of Agritalia's customers. Agritalia's post-sale follow-up and analysis of the performance of the different categories represent a key factor that sets Agritalia apart from its competitors. Agritalia has acquired strong experience, especially in private label programs for major U.S. retailers. Pasta and oil represent a large portion of its business. The growth of this market is related to introduction of these products into new markets and double-digit growth in consumption of products linked to the Mediterranean diet. Innovation is essential and necessary for the growth of a company, which is why Agritalia emphasizes SALTY WAHINE GOURMET HAWAIIAN SEA SALTS MAKE EATING HEALTHY FUN Salty Wahine Gourmet Hawaiian Salts is a Kauai Made Company that specializes in Hawaiian sea salts, seasonings, and Hawaiigrown cane sugar using fruit infusions such as guava, mango, passion fruit, lychee, coconut, and pineapple. Its products look as great as they taste. Laura Cristobal Andersland created this company in June 2008 as a family-run business. Her emphasis is on eating healthy and Gourmet International (Cont'd. from p. 1) GNSE: What would you say makes your company unique? HH: Cirio offers "authentic Italian tomatoes." The group owns all seeds and cultivation and oversees all quality insurance. All production is done completely in Italy. Cirio is innovating the category by offering carton packaging, which is both environmentally friendly and eliminates issues with BPA. GNSE: What was the most significant event HH: Cirio is a loved Italian brand in its own country as well as 70 others around the world. This year we are proud to bring the tradition and quality of the brand to the U.S.A.! GNSE: Are you introducing any new products? HH: We are introducing four new carton packed tomatoes. They are 13.76 ounce carton packaged Italian crushed tomatoes. These tomatoes come in four flavors: Plain, GNSE: Why Italian? HH: No product has defined Italian cuisine more than the tomato, and this is where the expertise of Cirio lies. The tomato growing regions of Italy have soil that is high in lime content from the rich volcanic origins. A constant breeze from the Mediterranean ensures superior air quality year-around. To seal in the freshness, Cirio tomatoes are packed locally within 24 hours of harvest. Visit Agritalia in booths 3131 – 3133 , Upper Exhibition Hall – Level 3- International Section at the Summer Fancy Food Show. After the show, visit www.agritalia.com and www.bellaitaliaproducts.com. For more information, visit booth 5317 at the Summer Fancy Food Show or go online to www.saltywahine.com. Visit Gourmet international at booth 2246 at the Summer Fancy Food Show. For more information or to visit with a sales associate, call 800-875-5557, email sales@gourmetint.com or go online to www.gourmetint.com. HH: Our target end users are from the whole spectrum of tomato users. They are great for anyone from a professional chef to a family cooking at home. GNSE: How can your readers find out more about the company? HH: You can visit Cirio's brand new U.S. website at www.Cirio1856.us to find out great recipes, Cirio's history, news and other great information.