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GOURMET NEWS www.gourmetnews.com n JUNE 2014 n GOURMET NEWS 7 2 MELT Organic: 'It's Hip to be Square!' MELT ® Organic is a line of luscious, all-nat- ural spreads for butter lovers seeking a health- ier alternative. Each variety of MELT is rich and creamy because it is made with organic virgin coconut oil – the healthiest unprocessed saturated fat – in the Perfect Blend™ of fruit- and plant-based oils. Available in Rich & Creamy, Honey and now new Chocolate fla- vors, MELT Organic's Perfect Blend of the healthiest organic oils – virgin coconut, flaxseed, hi-oleic sunflower, palm fruit and canola – is truly good for consumers. MELT spreads sizzle, drizzle, sauté and bake beautifully just like butter, but with half the saturated fat and fewer calories. In addi- tion to supporting healthy weight, the blend of oils in MELT supports thyroid function and metabolism, gastrointestinal health, op- timal nutrient absorption and heart health. Prosperity Organic Foods, makers of MELT Organic spreads, has introduced new Chocolate MELT Organic. Chocolate MELT is a velvety spread made with MELT's Per- fect Blend combined with the rich tastes of organic cocoa and organic wildflower honey. It is a delectable spread for graham crackers or croissants, a delightful dip for strawber- ries, and the perfect addition to favorite brownie or cookie recipes. Chocolate MELT is perfect for school lunches because it is nut- and vanillin-free and contains just one gram of sugar per serving versus the 10-gram equivalent in hazelnut spread competitors. Each variety of MELT is certified organic, kosher and made with non-GMO, eco-social and fair trade ingredients that are ethically sourced. Rich & Creamy MELT, Honey MELT and Chocolate MELT are the first spreads in North America to be Non-GMO Project verified. Rich & Creamy MELT and Honey MELT were each rated a HIT! by the Supermarket Guru in 2010 and 2013, respec- tively and Chocolate MELT won a 2013 Gold Stevie Award for Best New Consumer Product or Service of the Year. MELT Organic spreads are also trans-fat free, gluten-free, dairy- or lactose-free and soy-free with no artificial colors, flavors or additives. Only MELT uses organic virgin coconut oil that is certified Fair for Life Fair Trade. The MELT line is also the first to be sold in innovative, eco-friendly square pack- ages for easy storage and sustainability. It's Hip to Be Square!© Rich & Creamy MELT, Honey MELT and Chocolate MELT are sold in 13-ounce pack- ages in more than 5,500 natural-organic, spe- cialty gourmet and conventional retail stores throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, stop by booth #1347 or visit www.meltorganic.com. Plocky's Celebrates Over 25 Years of Tasty, All-Natural Snacks In May 1988, two partners with years of food industry expertise, a lot of ideas and an instinct for the next big thing started Plocky's ® Fine Snacks from scratch. Today, 26 years later, Plocky's ships its "healthy snacks that taste good" – tortilla chips and hummus chips with unique flavors – nation- wide and beyond. The Plocky's success story started in 1988, when the family-owned business in- troduced its line of tortilla chips that were like no other on the market: Original Three Grain Chips, Caribbean Black Beans 'N Rice Chips, and Louisiana Red Beans 'N Rice Chips with Tabasco in the chip. As op- posed to plain corn chips, Plocky's tortilla chips featured different grains, unique spices and the "healthy" factor. They tasted so good that Plocky's Three Grain Tortilla Chips were awarded the Seal of Approval for Best Tortilla Chip from Di- abetic Living magazine. This seal provides consumers with a guide to great-tasting foods that are low in calories, sodium and saturated fat, but rich in healthy fats, fiber, vitamins and whole grains. Plocky's subsequently expanded its initial line with three new flavors of tortilla chips: Sundried Tomato Basil, Whole Grain Sweet Chipotle and Whole Grain Aged White Cheddar. It followed with another market- first, handy Organic Dip Strips, in Golden, Blue and Louisiana Peppa Red, made with organic corn. Salsas with a twist soon give Plocky's tortilla chips something zingy to dip into: Black Beans 'N Rice Salsa and Red Beans 'N Rice Salsa. Plocky's didn't stop at tortilla chips. In 2005, the company un- veiled another extremely popu- lar "first": savory, gluten-free Hummus Chips made with real hummus and olive oil. The line's first three flavors were Original, Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper, soon followed by Greek Lemon Herb and Honey Caramelized Onion. These hummus chips are certified kosher and made from the finest all-natural ingredients, with absolutely no preservatives, zero trans-fats and no ge- netic modification. Plocky's Greek Lemon Herb Hummus Chips were nominated for the 2012 Sweets & Snacks Most Innovative Products Award. The Hummus Chips are available in 3-ounce and 100-calorie bags. Owner Paul Cipolla credits Plocky's suc- cess to focusing on one simple goal: Healthy snacks that taste good. "We went through a lot of trial and error in the early days, trying to find something that was differ- ent but that still tasted good," ex- plains Cipolla. "But taste is the most important thing. A snack can be good for you, but it has to taste good for consumers to keep coming back for more." Consumers definitely keep coming back. And for the past four years, Plocky's Fine Snacks has exported its unique flavors of Tortilla Chips and Hummus Chips interna- tionally as well, to China, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and Central America. Consumers can find Plocky's Fine Snacks in select specialty shops, natural foods stores and finer supermarkets nationally or order online at www.plockys.com. For more information, visit www.plockys.com, call 630-323-8888, email info@plockys.com or stop by booth #561. Felicetti Pasta Offers 100 Percent Organic Pasta Felicetti pasta is the world's largest sup- plier of 100 percent organic pasta. It is an outstanding pasta because of its excep- tional aromatic quality, taste and excellent nutritional value. These stellar results are thanks to the supreme attention paid to three key components: flour, water and drying technique. The Monograno Felicetti line is the only pasta made with organically grown grains of mono origin. Each box of pasta can be traced back to an exact wheat field. Fe- licetti company strictly controls not only the pasta-making process but also the flour production – overseeing the harvest and continuing through to its grinding in the mills. Felicetti pasta is unique because it is made at the highest altitude and most northern po- sition of any other Italian pasta. This position allows the pasta to be made with crystal clear stream water obtained from high in the Dolomites. It is then dried in this pure unpol- luted mountain air. The Monograno Felicetti line of pastas come in three varieties: Farro – made with 100 percent organic whole grain farro, with three times the fiber of conven- tional pasta. Farro, an ancient grain, is sown in the Italian Alps and imparts a lovely slightly nutty flavor and pleasingly firm texture. Kamut – made with 100 percent organic mono origin Khorasan Kamut ® flour. Its specially se- lected kamut is a descendent of an ancient strain and is organically grown in Montana and Canada. While cooking, this unique pasta has the scent of white flowers and fresh fruit. Its fla- vor has hints of macadamia and pine nuts with nuances of edible flowers. Matt – a hearty, rich variety of 100 percent durum wheat harvested exclu- sively from select farms in Puglia and Sicily. During cooking you'll note aromas in- cluding coconut and hay. Its flavor is reminiscent of hearth cooked bread with hints of butter. Ideal for vegans, the pasta is fat-free, sugar-free and has ex- tremely low sodium. It is certified Non-GMO, USDA-certified organic, kosher, HACCP, CCPB, QS ISO 9001:2000/Vision, USDA, JAS. For more information, visit www.felicetti.it or stop by booth #2615. Lesley Elizabeth Introduces Cocina Fiesta Avocado Oil Lesley Elizabeth products have inspired home cooks with traditional flavors and aro- mas of the French countryside and Mediter- ranean region for over two decades. Lesley Elizabeth's distinctive flavors are created with a desire to help busy families with a sa- vory shortcut for healthy and delicious meals. Lesley Elizabeth seasonings such as Oh So Garlic, Lemony Dill and Sweet Bell Pep- per make quick and simple dips, cheese balls, sauces and marinades. Other popular seasonings are designed to be mixed with olive oil and water to create Sundried Tomato Pesto and Basil, Garlic and Pine Nut Pesto. This easy preparation creates a simple, fresh tasting pesto to toss with pasta or add to a favorite recipe. Sea salts are ideal for grilling, and Lesley Elizabeth has three varieties of seasoned sea salts to choose from: Pepper & Garlic, Rose- mary & Basil and Dill & Tarragon. These blends were created to season a variety of center plate entrées including beef, chicken, pork, fish and seafood. Unique fruit flavored sugars by Lesley flavor and high monounsaturated fats of av- ocado oil make this product a delicious and healthy oil alternative. Avocado oil's high smoke point at over 500 degrees makes this an ideal alternative for grilling and sautéing at high temperatures. Retailers sourcing innovative private label products will find Lesley Elizabeth well po- sitioned to fill this niche with over 50 spe- cialty food products. Lesley Elizabeth private label programs will add new interest in the spice and oil placements for businesses of all sizes. See the complete Lesley Elizabeth product line and explore new product opportunities at booth #2267. For more information, visit www.lesleyelizabeth.com. Elizabeth are available in four varieties: Black Currant, Cranberry-Pomegranate, Mango-Tangerine and Blueberry-Honey. These all-natural products add festive color and flavor to beverages, baking, breakfast cereals, frostings and fruit fla- vored dips. Lesley Elizabeth seasoned oils have the largest variety of flavors to choose from. Made with a variety of oils and vinegar blends, then finished with an abundant fill of herbs and spices, seasoned oils are ideal for salads, marinades, bread dipping and grilling. Simply shake and serve as a dip for crusty bread, toss with your favorite pasta or brush on your meats before grilling. New for 2014 is the introduction of Cocina Fiesta Avocado Oil. The "buttery"

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