Oser Communications Group

Produce Show Daily Oct 17 2014

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P ro d u c e S h o w D a i l y 7 3 Fri d a y, O c to b e r 1 7 , 2 0 1 4 SJ: USA Onions represents 30 ship- pers and more than 200 growers that produce and ship more than one billion pounds of beautiful yellow, red and white colors. Idaho and Eastern Oregon Onion Committee is the only storage onion growing region that operates under a Federal Marketing Order, #958. The Marketing Order pro- vides for promotion, research and export programs to benefit our indus- try and our customers. PSD: Describe your company's current marketing strategy. SJ: This year, USA Onions has devel- oped a program to connect with buyers and consumers in a personal way. Our new campaign, 'From the Heart of Onion Country, USA' is focused on our growing region in the Snake River Valley of Idaho and Eastern Oregon. With the buy local movement becoming stronger, our messaging in POS material and Foodservice Tool Kits shares the details of the hard work and dedication of our growers, many of whom are multi-generation farmers. PSD: Tell our readers about your trade show objectives, plans, products, promo- tions, etc. SJ: This year, we have a lot going on in our PMA booth. We are pleased to wel- come Weber Grill Master Kevin Kolman as our celebrity guest in the booth. Our USA Onions ( Cont'd. from p. 1) alliance with Weber-Stephen LLC has allowed us to connect with industry and consumers sharing the positive aspects of grilling onions. In addition, we will be sampling new 'comfort food' recipes that have a flavorful onion twist. Caramelized Onion Dessert Pizza and Mac n Cheese with Caramelized Onions will be served at the show. PSD: To what do you attribute your com- pany's success? SJ: Our success is based on producing a quality product and our consistency in customer service and satisfaction. Our shippers excel in food safety pro- grams, and the fact that we operate under a federal marketing order assures our customers that the onions delivered exceed USDA size and grade standards. PSD: How can our readers find out more about your company? SJ: USA Onions is pleased to announce the launch of a new layout for our web- site. The easy to navigate site, www.usaonions.com, provides a wealth of information about our shippers, recipes, health benefits, storage and prep tips, as well as fun activities for kids. There is truly something for everyone on the site. In addition, USA Onions is on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. For more information, call 208-722- 5111, visit www.usaonions.com or stop by booth #1032. DS: Microgreens are tiny versions of full-sized vegetables and herbs. They are harvested at a very young stage and are surprisingly flavorful despite their small size. PSD: What would you say makes your company, Fresh Origins, unique? DS: We are producing the finest quality microgreens available. We have the world's best climate for growing micro- greens and this makes a huge difference in the quality, color, flavor and shelf life. Fresh Origins has over 400 products which range from Microgreens, to Petite™Greens, to Tiny Veggies™ to Edible Flowers. PSD: Please introduce your new product line, BrightFresh to readers. DS: Fresh Origins is America's leading grower of microgreens and our products have been preferred by top chefs for 20 years. Our newly introduced retail brand is BrightFresh Microgreens. They are lit- tle greens with big taste. PSD: How did you come up with BrightFresh and its name? DS: The name BrightFresh represents what happens when we work with the very best of nature. Just like location, location, location matters in real estate, it also matters in farming. Here in sunny San Diego our microgreens and edible flowers soak up nature's best rays. PSD: What distinguishes BrightFresh from the competition? DS: Rather than growing with unnatural, artificial lighting, or in a less than ideal climate, BrightFresh Microgreens are grown in the natural sunshine and mild climate of San Diego. Soaking in all that Fresh Origins ( Cont'd. from p. 1) natural sunshine results in the best quali- ty-short stems, bigger leaves, more vibrant color and more BrightFresh fla- vor! PSD: What is the nature of BrightFresh distribution? DS: BrightFresh is being made available in retail stores nationwide, so keep an eye out for us in your local grocery market. PSD: Who are your target end-users? DS: BrightFresh Microgreens are for the home cook who wants to add flavor and visual appeal to bring their cuisine to a higher level. Retail Brightfresh Microgreens are what foodies are talking about. PSD: What is your outlook in general for our new product line? DS: Consumers are becoming increas- ingly aware of microgreens and interest in them is growing rapidly. This is prima- rily driven by the foodie movement. Home cooks are seeing them being used on popular television shows like Iron Chef and so the outlook for Brightfresh Microgreens is very positive. PSD: To what do you attribute your com- pany's success? DS: Attention to detail, continual improvement and the fact that we are passionate about providing customers and consumers with fun, exciting and new products. PSD: How can readers find out more about BrightFresh? DS: Visit our new website at www.brightfresh.com! For more information, visit www.bright fresh.com or stop by booth #926. HB: Our products cater to consumers who appreciate the unadulterated charac- teristics of Orchard Valley Harvest as much as we do. Our target consumer is looking for nuts that are non-GMO Project verified picked at their peak, are minimally processed and have no artifi- cial ingredients. They look for snacks that help support a healthy lifestyle. Our consumers believe the pure and simple goodness of Orchard Valley Harvest products is what makes them so incredi- bly delicious and satisfying. PSD: Are you introducing any new Orchard Valley Harvest Products? HB: We have more than 30 products overall, ranging from nuts to dried fruits to trail mixes to dark chocolate-covered fruits and nuts. We were very excited to launch two new product types that extended our current line. Our new stand up multipacks include eight 1-oz. pouches that are perfect for those who love the unadulterated taste of Orchard Valley Harvest and want a con- venient stash of single servings ready to go. We were also thrilled to introduce three new mixes. Our omega-3, antioxidant and energy mixes add even more great taste and variety to our product line while help- ing to support a healthy lifestyle. PSD: How is packaging important to Orchard Valley ( Cont'd. from p. 1) Orchard Valley Harvest? HB: We make sure our products are packaged for all types of people. Our large bags are perfect for grabbing a wholesome handful of nuts or trail mix at home. The bags stand up and reseal for easy snacking, scooping and storage. We also have individual serving stand up mini-bags, which are essentially compact 2 – 2.5 ounce versions of the large stand up bags. The mini bags are great for someone who is trying the prod- uct for the first time or who wants a sim- ple snack they can grab and go. PSD: What is the mission and vision of Orchard Valley Harvest? HB: Our mission is to provide authentic closer to earth products that taste good and help to support healthier and active lifestyles. PSD: How can readers and show atten- dees learn more about Orchard Valley Harvest? HB: We're very proud of Orchard Valley Harvest and would love to share more. Come visit us at booth #1160 to chat and grab a sample. You can also visit www.orchardvalleyharvest.com. For more information, visit www.orchardvalleyharvest.com or stop by booth #1160. current and expected volume." The chain selected a centrally located million sq. ft.+ distribution center serving nearly 100 stores as the site for their first installation. "The client knew the type and size of rooms they wanted, right down to capacities, temperature control zones…you name it," says Byrne "When they asked us in, it was simply a matter of matching our patented technology to their exact- ing specifications." Eighteen three-tier TarpLess ripen- ing rooms were installed at the facility, with a combined ripening capacity of 33,000 boxes per week. Thermal Tech handled the entire installation from start to finish including design, engi- neering, finished construction and on- site training of client personnel. "Our track record of experience was key to the project," said Byrne. "Having installed over 2,500 rooms representing over 100 million pounds of daily ripening capacity for many of the largest retailers in the industry, we were able to help them seamlessly transition their operation from one that TarpLess ( Cont'd. from p. 4) does not ripen to one that does. That's a huge shift in procedure." "The client appreciated our abili- ty to help them understand the opera- tional requirements of the installation while we appreciated their exceptional preparation and professionalism. Working as a team we were able to ensure a smooth transition right through to final training of all person- nel involved." Once the new rooms became oper- ational, the chain began to quickly real- ize their goal of providing perfectly ripened fruit to each and every store while saving $1 per box. With 33,000 boxes of weekly ripening capacity, the rooms will pay for themselves in just under two years. After that, it's all prof- it. How much profit? When you include additional savings of 30 to 40 cents per box in reduced weight loss and shrink, plus the sustained eight percent increase in banana sales the chain has enjoyed since they started using the rooms, well…you do the math! For more information, visit booth #3802, contact David Byrne at 803-461- 7980 or go to www.gotarpless.com.

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