Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/261547
R e s t a u r a n t D a i l y N e w s S u n d a y, M a y 1 9 , 2 0 1 3 8 0 DEL MONTE FRESH PRODUCE REFRESHES MARKETING STRATEGIES By Dionysios (Dennis) Christou, VP Marketing N.A., Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. During the first quarter of 2013, Del Monte ® Fresh focused on reinforcing its brand equity across several target groups. In February, Del Monte Fresh became the Official Fresh Produce of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. With the help of celebrity chefs and exclusive restaurants, our brand was able to hone in on foodservice and foodies. Refocusing our efforts to target Millennials, Del Monte Fresh hosted our first Beach Bash Dash event as a healthy alternative to spring break in Daytona Beach, Fla. The social media based promotion, targeting U.S. college students, included a sweepstakes and a live experiential event where young consumers could interact with the Del Monte Fresh brand. Tapping into the millennial genera- tion continues to be an important focus for Del Monte Fresh. We need to begin to build brand l Christou, Vice President of Marketing, Del Monte Fresh, North America. 的t is not a typically easy con- sumer group to reach, but interacting with them in their environment and on media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter will help start the conversation and help them get to know who Del Monte Fresh is. After seeing such a success with SOBE and Beach Bash Dash, Del Monte Fresh continues to offer exciting and rewarding consumer-targeted promo- tions. Our Facebook page is currently home to the "Find Your Inner Chef" pro- motion which includes a recipe contest and an ultimate cook-off. The contest launched April 15 and will run through mid June. The "Find Your Inner Chef" contest encourages consumers to submit their own favorite recipe, using Del Monte fresh fruits and vegetables, and gives participants a chance to win the coveted "Del Monte Fresh Chef" title and a grand prize retreat for two at a renowned culinary institute. Daily winners will be selected as part of the contest, giving participants an opportunity to cash in on retailer gift cards, culinary kitchen tools, tabletop appliances, and more. Additionally, four weekly finalists will be selected, one each week for four weeks. The four finalists will be flown to Miami, FL, where they will partici- pate in the Del Monte Fresh Produce Cook-Off Challenge and compete for the Grand Prize. Judges for the Cook- Off Challenge will include, among oth- ers, retailers, Produce for Better Health Foundation representatives, and a local Chef. Del Monte knows that several of our consumers are chefs in their own right, serving up delicious nutritious meals for their famispecifically with them in mind. It's a perfect opportunity for consumers to tap their culinary cre- ative juices, show off their cooking skills using Del Monte fresh produce, and share healthy new recipes. We are more than excited to meet our very first Del Monte Fresh Chef. Del Monte Fresh Produce is serious about extending its marketing efforts to refresh the brand's image. With two exciting promotions in only the past four months, the industry can only wait to see what else the brand has in store. For more information visit www.freshdel- monte.com, call 800-950-3683 or email Contact-US-Executive-Office@freshdel monte.com–booth 1960 at NRA Show. LOLLICUP USA, INC., INTRODUCES THE NEXT TREND IN THE BEVERAGE INDUSTRY, POPPING PEARLS Lollicup ® USA, Inc., the manufacturer of TeaZone ® beverage products is excited to announce the addition of Popping Pearls into its wide selection of beverage and yogurt solutions. Lollicup USA, Inc. began in 2000 with its flagship boba shop just east of Los Angeles, providing hun- dreds of thirsty customers with a relaxing tea or coffee beverage. Since the estab- lishment of the flagship Lollicup Coffee & Tea location, the company has grown nationwide in rapid succession. Over the years, Lollicup USA, Inc., has evolved into more than just a small boba shop. Along with providing foodser- vice essentials, Lollicup USA, Inc. also produces its own beverage products under the TeaZone brand and manufactures paper and plastic disposables under the Karat ® and Karat ® Earth brand.The com- pany has grown into a leading provider of all beverage and restaurant solutions dis- tributing Torani syrups, Monin syrups, Big Train powders, Ghirardelli sauces, blenders, and Lollicup USA, Inc.'s own TeaZone brand. Popping Pearls, also known as "popping boba" or "bursting boba," are fruit juice-filled spheres with a smooth translucent layer on the outside and bursts with flavorful juice once bitten into. The juice filled sensation originated in Asia and is quickly grabbing consumer's interest in mainstream Europe and around the globe. With no cooking required, the Popping Pearls can be served straight from the jar to add flavor without the preparation time. Popping Pearls is a refreshing fun addition to drinks, ice cream, and yogurt or simply as a snack by itself. TeaZone Popping Pearls are avail- able in 13 flavors: Blueberry, Cantaloupe, Cherry, Green Apple, Kiwi, Lychee, Mango, Orange, Passion Fruit, Peach, Pomegranate, Strawberry, and Yogurt. Sold in 7 lb jars, each jar contains about 33 servings. Other TeaZone prod- ucts also available are Boba, Jellies, Mochi, Powders, Syrups, and Tea Leaves. Lollicup USA, Inc. prides itself in delivering a high-quality service, whether it is through its beverage and restaurant products or through its line of paper and plastic disposable products under the Karat and Karat Earth brands. To try TeaZone Popping Pearls or for more information about Lollicup USA, Inc., TeaZone products, and Karat and Karat Earth products, please visit the National Restaurant Association Show booth 1263. WASSERSTROM CATERS TO YOUR FOODSERVICE NEEDS N. Wasserstrom & Sons has been sup- plying quality products and customer- focused services for over a century. Busy operators turn to Wasserstrom to help them stay on top of the ever-chang- ing trends and transitions in the food- service industry. Fresh ideas coupled with new and innovative products give operators a variety of options to enhance and elevate their food presen- tations, creating exceptional dining experiences for their customers. Wasserstrom's diverse and com- prehensive product line encompasses a seemingly infinite selection, including everything from tableware, display- ware, service and merchandising pieces to back-of-the-house supplies that help operators run their kitchens more safe- ly and efficiently. They offer more than 35,000 different smallwares items that are stocked and shipped from multiple distribution centers, strategically locat- ed throughout the United States for efficient order processing and reduced transit times. The needs of today's foodservice operator are very individual and unique. They require products that successfully support their menu and brand. Wasserstrom has the capacity to fulfill an operator's specific requirements by offer- ing options such as custom smallwares fabrication, customized reorder programs and warehousing of proprietary and roll- out items. This diverse mix of products and services and an innovative one-stop- shopping approach has been unmatched by any other supplier in the foodservice industry and offers their customers greater efficiency and value. Wasserstrom caters to the specific needs of every customer, regardless of size; single independents, national chains, supermarkets, healthcare facili- ties, hotels and more. Customized cata- logs, management reports, 24/7 Internet ordering and an experienced, knowledge- able customer service staff are just a few of the value-added services that Wasserstrom offers. By utilizing the diverse capabilities of a trusted supplier, operators can streamline their ordering process, save money and focus their efforts on satisfying their customers. For more information, call 800-999- 9277 or visit www.wasserstrom.com. Sauce. This extraordinary hot sauce, and other branded products, can help you add a signature twist to your next menu item. T.W. Garner also offers America's number one all-natural salsa, Green Mountain Gringo® Salsa. Unlike other hot sauces, Texas Pete never overpowers your creations with heat. Instead, it imparts a balance to the flavor you imagine and a little kick of heat that takes your idea and makes it even better. Available in gallon jugs, 3, 6 and 12-ounce glass bottles and portion control packets, there is a package avail- able for back-of-house, tabletop or take- out applications. Still family-owned and operated, T.W. Garner Food Company has an 83- year history of success. The Texas Pete line of products includes original hot sauce, hotter hot sauce, a variety of chick- en wing sauces, honey mustard, seafood cocktail sauce and other exceptional sauce products. The company's new chipotle hot sauce offers authentic smoked jalapeno flavor. Available from broad line and spe- cialty distributors, Texas Pete offers pre- mium quality, an affordable price, and big brand consumer appeal. In fact, Texas Pete is the only major national hot sauce that maintains consis- tent consumer engagement through T.W. Garmer (Cont'd. from p.1) advertising and special events. The offi- cial hot sauce of the Southeastern Conference, consumers follow their hot sauce brand via college sports. The com- pany is also a sponsor of ESPN's X- Games. The result is brand loyal con- sumers who expect Texas Pete Hot Sauce on their dinner table and foodservice ven- ues when they are away from home. You are invited to join the Texas Pete Nation at www.Facebook.com/TexasPete. T.W. Garner offers culinary support through its corporate executive chef, Michael O'Donnell. New chef-tested foodservice recipes are ready to be part of your next great menu or to spark your own imagination online at www.TWGarnerFoodservice.com. T.W. Garner also offers you up to a $200 rebate on your purchases via a coupon that can be downloaded from the website. Green Mountain Gringo Salsa is gluten- and GMO-free and is made from fresh ingredients, including: onions, tomatillos, jalapenos, pasilla peppers, apple cider vinegar, cilantro, parsley, gar- lic, ripe tomatoes, sea salt and spices. For more information on Texas Pete and Green Mountain Gringo Salsa, contact Michael O'Donnell, Corporate Executive Chef, National Accounts Sales Manager, at modonnell@twgarner.com or via tele- phone at 336-231-6420.