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NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n SEPTEMBER 2014 n GOURMET NEWS N H 1 2 Fruit Bliss Deliciously Juicy Organic Fruits – Dried Fruit Reinvented Finding a healthy, delicious snack that is easy to take on the go is no small feat. For those living a busy, active lifestyle or parents who find the "healthy snack" aisle limiting, Fruit Bliss ® is a welcomed find. Fruit Bliss offers a selection of USDA Certified Or- ganic, Non-GMO Verified fruits that stand out compared to the dried fruit and other fruit snacks on the market. Made using high-qual- ity whole fruit sourced from Turkey, France and Tunisia, Fruit Bliss' naturally sun-sweet- ened whole apricots, plums, dates and figs are infused with water to deliver a deli- ciously juicy snack every time. Fruit Bliss was founded in 2011 by Susan Leone, a mother on a mission to create a nu- tritiously rich and convenient snack for the whole family. As a health-conscious mom, Susan is dedicated to creating wholesome snacks with no added preservatives or sug- ars, and offering the very best natural fruit in a convenient-to-carry package. "When looking for snacks for my family that were both nutritious and convenient, the grocery store aisles were turning up short," explained Ms. Leone. "That is when I knew I had the opportu- nity to offer up something new to other active people like myself – whether looking for something new and healthy to feed the kids, or just a treat for yourself between work and yoga." Made from the fruit, the whole fruit and nothing but the fruit, Fruit Bliss provides a healthy organic option for those craving a sweet treat without any added sugars or ar- tificial sweeteners. Packed with fiber and essential vitamins, Fruit Bliss proudly of- fers products that are USDA Certified Or- ganic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and OU Kosher certified, and available in both re-sealable 5-ounce pouches and 1.76- ounce individually- sized pouches. Fruit Bliss offers Turkish Apricots, Turkish Figs, French Agen Plums and Deglet Nour Dates. Fruit Bliss snacks can be purchased online or in specialty food stores and supermarkets nationwide. For more information, visit www.fruitbliss.com, call 646-225-6565, email info@fruitbliss.com or stop by booth #2110. Nature's Yoke Adds Organic, Pasture- Raised Eggs to All-Natural Lineup The mission of Nature's Yoke is to bring to your table the freshest eggs from Amish country in Lancaster County, Penn. Available to you are organic, cage-free and pasture- raised eggs, all produced on small family farms and packed by hand in the Nature's Yoke packing plant. They are then shipped and sent to grocery stores throughout the American Northeast region, putting these ex- ceptional eggs right at your fingertips! George Weaver III represents the third generation of his family to be in the egg in- dustry. More than 50 years ago, his grandfa- ther, George Weaver Sr., began producing and selling eggs on his family's farm, build- ing a successful business from scratch. It did- n't take long until he began working with other local farmers in order to be able to pro- duce the quantity of eggs the supermarkets needed. His son, George Jr., was the brave entre- preneur who ventured into the premium egg business. He wanted a higher quality egg and was willing to work for it, buying better feed and improving the housing for his chickens. His organic egg project followed and his pro- duction was soon in full swing. George Weaver III introduced the brand name: Nature's Yoke. His first requirement for all his farmers is that the hens are ab- solutely cage-free. Also, that there is no use of added hormones, antibi- otics or animal by-prod- ucts. His goal is an egg that is 100 percent natural and 100 percent healthy. This is true of all Nature's Yoke eggs – 100 percent natural. Nature's Yoke uses three main types – organic, cage-free and pasture-raised. Nature's Yoke cage-free and organic eggs are now certified humane, a change that was re- cently implemented. The pasture-raised egg was introduced a few years ago, produced by hens from multiple small flocks kept on abun- dant grassy pastures. Being grass-fed, these eggs promise more nutrients than ever. Most recently, Nature's Yoke has added organic pasture-raised eggs to the product line. The Nature's Yoke team is excited about this item and glad to be able to offer this combina- tion. These hens are fed 100 percent organic grains, supple- menting their rich diet of grass and all the insects they can find. They roam the fields under a wide blue sky and are kept there during the day when the weather is genial and moved to shelter only at night and when storms or cold weather move in. Happy chickens, de- licious eggs. Nature's Yoke is committed to sustainable agriculture and the support of local family farms and dedicated to its customers, farm- ers, employees – and hens. For more information on Nature's Yoke, head to booth #1033. 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![C] 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 #209 or visit www.meltorganic.com. Award-Winning Year for Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company Increase sales, introduce new brand, win multiple awards. For Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company, that's the recipe for a successful 22nd year in the gourmet snack business. In 1992, Founder Marian Harris focused on bringing taste and quality to the market- place. Her son, Greg Maestretti, and daugh- ter, Cara Figgins, joined the company soon after and their philosophy has not wavered since. Partners now carries over 40 varieties of all-natural crackers, cookies and granola within multiple brand names: Partners, Wise- crackers, Blue Star Farms Organic, All- American, Get Movin', Mia Dolci, and the latest gluten-free addition, Free for All Kitchen ® . When Partners debuted its new Free for All Kitchen gluten-free line last year, it in- troduced a gluten-free cracker that had been in the works for awhile. "Three years ago, Marian and the Partners family recognized the importance of produc- ing a gluten-free line and we have been dili- gently working ever since," said Cara. "It took time, but we're proud to say we've de- veloped a delicious, gluten-free alternative that doesn't compromise on taste, nutrition or quality." The new Free for All Kitchen gluten-free crackers are made from quality, non-GMO ingredients like cassava flour and a blend of five ancient grains: amaranth, quinoa, millet, sorghum and teff. They are available in var- ious packaging styles in three of Partners' most popular flavors: Olive Oil & Herb, Roasted Garlic & Rose- mary and Olive Oil & Sea Salt. The Partners team wanted to create a quality product that everyone could enjoy, gluten and gluten-free eaters alike, and its efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recognized by The Gourmet Re- tailer, Free for All Kitchen gluten-free crack- ers were chosen as a 2013 Editors' Pick for Best New Product. According to the judging panel, there were over 940 product submis- sions and only 50 winners were selected based on their taste/functionality, innovation and value. Partners was also honored by Grocery Headquarters with a 2014 Selling Wellness Trailblazer Award in the Gluten-Free Cate- gory, awarded to companies for their efforts and perseverance with independent, natural retailers and their cus- tomers. On a statewide basis, Partners was also recog- nized for its product inno- vation and awarded with a 2014 Silver award for Food Processor of the Year in Seattle Business maga- zine's Washington Manu- facturing Awards. Out of dozens of nominations for the category, Partners was just one of three finalists for the category. What's in store for 2014? Keep an eye out for some sweet additions to the gluten-free line, Free for All Kitchen, and a continuation of its recipe for success. For more information, visit booth #656, partnerscrackers.com, or contact Cara Figgins at 800-632-7477 or cfiggins@ partnerscrackers.com.

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