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NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n SEPTEMBER 2014 n GOURMET NEWS N H 6 0 The new USDA-certified Organic Little Crunchies line features four kid-friendly fla- vors – Strawberries, Strawberries & Ba- nanas, Apples & Bananas and Strawberries & Mangoes – each featuring a favorite "Looney Tunes" character, including Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Daffy Duck and Taz. These organic, kid-sized treats come in a re-seal- able 1-ounce Grab-n-Go bag as well as a lunchbox-sized 0.33-ounce Munch Pak, sold in a 5-Pak variety box. A fun way to introduce nutritious fruits into a young person's diet, Organic Little Crunchies are a bite-sized, better-for-you alternative to everyday snacking. While children will be drawn to Organic Little Crunchies' colorful, Looney packaging, parents will appreciate the new line's nu- trients and convenience. Organic Little Crunchies' freeze-dried fruits are all-nat- ural and gluten-free and contain no added sugars or preservatives. They are the per- fect snack to ensure children get their all- important 5-a-day. Crunchies are made through a unique freeze-drying process in which frozen fruits are placed in a refrigerated vacuum chamber, removing up to 97 percent of the moisture. This process gives Crunchies their crunchy texture and allows them to retain about 90- 94 percent of the fruits' original nutrients and virtually all of the fruits' nutritious enzymes, compared to an average of 45 percent re- tained nutrients with heat drying. Commenting on the partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Crunchies' President and CEO Jim Lacey said, "We are thrilled to join with such beloved and timeless Looney Tunes charac- ters to help young people discover the fun and appeal of healthier eating. Given the widespread popularity of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes family, we feel confident Organic Little Crunchies will quickly be- come one of the most successful product launches in Crunchies' history." "Whether it's the classic Looney Tunes shorts that moms and dads know and love or today's popular The Looney Tunes Show on Cartoon Network, which is introducing a new generation to the antics of Bugs Bunny and his gang, we know these characters are relevant to the entire family. We are proud to be partnering with Crunchies to bring the in- gredient of fun to these healthier snacks," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Domestic Li- censing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. Founded in 2006, Crunchies Food Com- pany's leading line of all-natural, nutritious freeze-dried fruits and vegetables are re- defining healthy snacking for the 21st cen- tury. With a satisfying crunch of delicious concentrated flavor, Crunchies are free of preservatives and chemicals, and they're gluten-free and kosher. For more information, visit www.crunchies food.com, call 888-997-1866 or visit booth #740. Crunchies (Cont'd. from p. 1) it's already winning awards. Since 1992, Founder Marian Harris has taken great care to create and perfect every one of her recipes and the gluten-free addi- tions are no exception. Made without rice, corn or soy, Free for All Kitchen gluten-free crackers debuted in three of Partners most popular flavors: Olive Oil & Herb, Roasted Garlic & Rosemary and Olive Oil & Sea Salt. "I was looking for an alternative to the gluten-free crackers in the marketplace that are heavily processed or rely on rice fillers," said Marian Harris. "Our new gluten-free crackers are made from cas- sava root flour and a blend of five ancient grains: amaranth, quinoa, millet, sorghum and teff. It's a flavorful cracker that by virtue of its ingredients, happens to also be gluten-free." It also happens to be an award-winning product. Free for All Kitchen gluten-free crackers have already received recognition as an innovative and creative product by The Gourmet Retailer (Editors' Pick 2013), Gro- cery Headquarters (Selling Wellness Trail- blazer Awards 2014) and Seattle Business magazine's Washington Manufacturing Awards (Food Processor of the Year 2014, Silver). "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 Figgins, Vice President and daughter of Mar- ian. "It took time, but we're proud to say we've developed a delicious, gluten-free al- ternative that doesn't compromise on taste, nutrition or quality." Free for All Kitchen gluten-free crackers are available in a hors d'oeuvre style cut in 5.5-ounce cellophane wrapped deli trays and in a snack cracker cut in 5.0-ounce cartons and 0.75-ounce bags. Since they taste great and are gluten-free, they are excellent for worry-free entertaining and snacking on the go. If you have a sweet tooth, Partners will be expanding the Free for All Kitchen line this year to include some sweet, crispy, crunchy gluten-free treats: Free for All Kitchen Dou- ble Chocolate Brownie Thins. About Partners Since 1992, Partners, A Tasteful Choice Company, has created delicious gourmet products using all-natural ingredients while supporting the sustainability of the envi- ronment and fostering an atmosphere of family, integrity, trust and compassion in the community. All Partners products are non-GMO, certified kosher and contain no hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors or preservatives. Partners is also certified as a women-owned business enterprise by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). For more information, visit booth #656, www. partnerscrackers.com or contact Cara Figgins, 800-632-7477, cfiggins@partnerscrackers.com. Partners (Cont'd. from p. 1) consumers read is what they get: products with simple, wholesome ingredients that are simply delicious like the new Brussel Bytes and Snip Chips and the company's signature product Coco-Roons. New Brussel Bytes (SRP $5.99) from Wonderfully Raw have kale chips green with envy! Chock full of essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid and dietary fiber, Brussel Bytes are the easiest and tasti- est way to get a full serving of veggies, es- pecially on the go. Made from organic brussel sprouts and organic pumpkin seeds and tossed in a tasty blend of spices and sea- sonings, Brussel Bytes are sure to please even the most persnickety of snackers. Avail- able in two fabulous flavors, Chili Pumpkin Seed Crunch and Tamarind Apple Crunch, customers will have a difficult time deciding which one is their favorite. Trans-fat-filled potato chips are old hat. Wonderfully Raw's Snip Chips (SRP $5.99) are made from a unique combination of or- ganic parsnips and coconut and provide the crunch and flavor that consumers crave with- out the chemicals, calories or guilt. Parsnips are naturally rich in vitamins C, E and K and high in fiber, omega-3 and potassium; and when combined with the healthy saturated fats from superfood coconuts, Snip Chips pack a powerful nutritional punch. Available in Dill Pickle, Cheezy Herb Truffle and Chipotle Lime Cilantro varieties, Snip Chips are sure to convert even the most zealous po- tato chip devotee. From flavor to nutrition, both Snip Chips and Brussel Bytes are superior to their snack- time counterparts in every way. Even better, both snacks come in perfectly portioned 2- ounce packages that contain less than 120 calories for the entire bag. For shoppers with a sweet tooth, Coco- Roons (SRP $7.99) from Wonderfully Raw are made from sustainably harvested or- ganic coconut and the finest unfiltered maple syrup from Vermont. Unlike agave, cane sugar and other common sweeteners in widespread use, maple syrup makes Coco- Roons just sweet enough to satisfy yet easy on the blood sugar and waistline. These low-glycemic goodies are perfect for dia- betics, dieters, and sweet-treat lovers alike. Coco-Roons clearly hold their own against any unhealthy cookie one might encounter. Available in six flavors including Brownie, Apple Pie, Lemon Pie, Cacao Nib, Vanilla, and Almond Strawberry "PBJ," there's a flavor for every palate, Just one taste of Brussel Bytes, Snip Chips and Coco-Roons will ensure that they make their way into customers' hearts and shop- ping carts. Wonderfully Raw products are available through UNFI, Nature's Best, KeHE and other regional distributors. Stop by booth #315 to learn more and taste the complete product line. For more information and wholesale inquiries, call 831-786-8773, email orders@ mycocoroons.com or visit booth #315. Wonderfully Raw (Cont'd. from p. 1) JL: Ecozenith, originally established in 2006 in Korea, is a manufacturing company of ecofriendly degradable containers with busi- ness operations in parts of Asia and Europe, as well as in the Washington, D.C. area. NH: What would you say makes your com- pany unique? JL: Ecozenith is recognized for its ecofriendly resin-based material called Poly Bio-Ceramic (PBC) which, after a special- ized heating, molding and binding process, can be used in the production of containers or for other industrial or consumer applica- tions. PBC is a safe, non-toxic, durable ma- terial made of natural materials, and PBC degrades naturally upon disposal. PBC's main component is calcium carbonate which is a vastly available resource throughout Asia and allows Ecozenith's PBC-based products to be an economical choice. NH: What do you anticipate to be your greatest challenge in the year ahead? JL: Our current manufacturing operations are based in Seoul, Korea, and all products are currently shipped in product-form from Korea to other international sites for distri- bution. Having established operations in the United States and in accommodating future growth, Ecozenith recognizes the importance of establishing a U.S.-based manufacturing facility to expedite the production and distri- bution process in the Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. NH: Who are your target end-users? JL: Ecozenith is seeking to establish busi- ness relations with prospective wholesale and retailing outlets in search of ecofriendly food containers for mass distribution. Ecoz- enith is interested in pursuing vendor rela- tionships with local governments and public school systems as a source for disposable lunch containers. NH: What is your outlook in general for this product line? JL: With increasing consumer awareness and government regulation in the disposable container industry, the demand for earth- friendly disposable containers will be ampli- fied. As companies explore technologies to replace harmful plastics, Ecozenith stands well-grounded with its innovative PBC Technology, and PBC will continue to stand- out as a superior material. NH: To what do you attribute your com- pany's success? JL: There is potential for PBC's application as a substitute for plastic materials in large electronics to materials used in toy produc- tion or for car body parts. PBC can also serve as a replacement material for plastics in the disposable-bag market. PBC is a versatile material with limitless possibilities for appli- cation in office supplies, furniture, cosmetics and for other consumer and industrial-based purposes. Interested readers may request more infor- mation about Ecozenith or request sample PBC products by sending an email to ezenithusa@gmail.com, by visiting www.ecozenithusa.com or by contacting Steven Kim, Vice President of Ecozenith, 2931 Eskridge Rd, Unit B, Fairfax, VA 22031. For more information, visit www .ecozenithusa.com, call 703-992-6622, email ezenithusa@gmail.com or stop by booth #9037. Eco Zenith (Cont'd. from p. 1)

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