Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/586338
P r o d u c e S h o w D a i l y 6 7 S a t u r d a y, O c t o b e r 2 4 , 2 0 1 5 BL: Fig sales this year have increased similar to the way they have in recent years. Consumers have long known about dried figs, but as they travel more and learn about nutrition, they are inter- ested in buying figs at grocery. The more figs we can produce, the more figs will be consumed. People love them. PSD: What consumer trends are affect- ing figs sales? BL: There is no special holiday or prompt that lets people know it is time to buy figs. There is just such a strong fol- lowing with this fruit that when they are available, people will buy them. There is just a huge following for this fruit and rightfully so. PSD: Which variety of figs are most pop- ular among consumers, and why? BL: Black mission figs and tiger figs are most popular. Black mission figs are pop- ular not only because they provide a great combination of sweetness and size, but also because their imperfections do not easily show. Now with additional product from Mexico coming in the winter months, it is possible for us to supply our customers year-round. Another popular fig is the Kadota, which is the American version of the Italian Dattato. It features a creamy amber color when ripe. Brown turkey figs have a purplish-brown colored skin, an amber to rose colored flesh and are known for mild flavor and hardiness. Stellar Distributing (Cont'd. from p. 1) Calimyrna figs have a nut-like flavor and tender, golden skin. Sierra figs are green- skinned. PSD: Do consumers understand the nutritional value figs provide? BL: Figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber, and they contain iron, potassium and calcium. They are also extremely versatile. A lot of people eat figs because they grew up on them at a time when nutrition consisted of a ton of fresh fruits and vegetables, com- pared to now where it seems pop tarts and French fries make up the average kid's diet. For that reason, the people that are eating our figs already know that figs are great for you. They have seen the health benefits from an early age on, and for that reason we do not have to do a great amount to deliver that message. PSD: Which other attributes should retailers highlight about figs? BL: Figs are versatile enough to be used in any cuisine. I think figs are a real food- ie kind of fruit. You can use figs in so many different ways. Figs are used in dessert, main courses and appetizers. They also span across different ethnici- ties of cooking. Mediterranean, Indian, Middle Eastern and many other cuisines use figs religiously and they are just now starting to really trickle over into American cuisine as a mainstay. For more information, visit booth #3217, go to www.stellardistributing.com or call 559.664.8400. SHENANDOAH GROWERS: LIVING ORGANIC IS MORE THAN JUST HERBS Located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Shenandoah Growers has built a reputation of supplying the highest quality fresh, culinary herbs to grocers throughout the east coast. Recent greenhouse expansions in Virginia and implementation of new growing technologies in regional growing facilities have enabled the company to increase capacity, improve quality, and establish itself as the pre- mier fresh, culinary herb supplier in the country. Founded in 1990 as a small entre- preneurial farm, the company has held true to its culture of hard work and dedication to its customers. Shenandoah Growers demonstrates its commitment to healthy and sustainable food production via state-of-the-art greenhouses, LED finishing rooms and organic growing techniques. This com- mitment is apparent at every stage of plant growth from seed to harvest. Not only are the plants stronger and health- ier, but the flavors and aromas are unmatched. In addition to the superior quality and health of their living herb plants, the company's robust product portfolio has kept Shenandoah Growers ahead of the curve. What began with simple bunched herbs has evolved into a wide-ranging product line that includes 17 fresh-cut herbs in four dif- ferent sizes and 12 varieties of Living Organic plants. Whether it is a single recipe-size, a large chef pack or a liv- ing plant the consumer can place on their windowsill, there is an option available to meet the full consumer need for fresh herbs. The success of these lines has afforded Shenandoah Growers the opportunity to expand beyond herbs. Their Power Organics line for fresh smoothies, Garden Snax for pets, and upcoming launch of Micro Organics (microgreens) and Organic Living Lettuce are proof that at Shenandoah Growers, Living Organic is not just a brand; it is a lifestyle that the company practices every day. For more information, visit booth #3932, go to www.freshherbs.com or call 540.896.6939. things down, making the commitment and investment to use natural ingredients to create a line of premium puffed corn snacks with an indulgent, artisan taste. Every bag begins with pure, non- GMO corn meal baked in the oven for a taste that's out-of-this-world. It's easy to brag about what's inside every bag, but what's excluded – gluten, trans-fats, hulls, kernels, preservatives and addi- tives – is even more important. Cosmos Creations uses only ingredients you can pronounce with a taste that's almost heavenly. Cosmos Creations offers a variety of sweet and savory flavors, including Salted Caramel, Caramel, Coconut Crunch, Sea Salt & Butter, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Aged Cheddar & Cracked Pepper and its newest fan favorite, Spicy Sriracha. Keeping up with what's popular in the snack food industry is no challenge for Cosmos Creations, as it continues to add new and exciting flavors to its already existing line of products. As an addition to its favorites, Cosmos Creations introduced Spicy Sriracha in the fall of 2014. Made up of peppers, gar- lic and a hearty blend of spices, its allure is undeniable. Sriracha provides just the right amount of flavor to keep your tongue sizzling after each bite. Every bite is an explosion of flavor and a mouthful Cosmos Creations (Cont'd. from p. 1) of happiness. The bold, healthier-for-you prod- ucts is what Cosmos Creations is now known for, but it hasn't always been what it is today. In 2004, Cosmos Creations began as "Cosmos Caramel Corn" in the kitchen of a culinary artist. After quickly becoming a local sensa- tion, it expanded from the kitchen to a 5,000 square foot facility. After attend- ing many home shows, consumer events and providing samples to atten- dees, the unique puffed treat quickly developed a loyal following. In July 2011, Cosmos Caramel Corn was purchased by the Strasheim and Tiller family, under the corporate name of 4 Him Food Group. In September 2012, the company moved to a new pro- duction facility and transitioned to the brand Cosmos Creations as they set up to expand to a national level. Cosmos Creations premium puffed corn is now sold through club, grocery and foodservice channels nationwide. Cosmos even began exporting to Asia and Latin America in late 2014. In order to meet the growing product demands of customers today, Cosmos Creations con- tinued to expand its production footprint last summer when it began constructing its new 107,000 square foot factory in Junction City, Oregon. For more information, visit www.cosmos creations.com. signage, headers, street signs, basket sig- nage, toppers or inserts, Blanc Display Group has a variety of product lines to keep marketing messages fresh, innova- tive and fun for optimal customer inter- action and the all-important attention retention. Choosing a style and subject matter is as easy as 1-2-3. It all started with Marketplace Chalk™, a chic line of simple and sophisticated produce signage and pricing placards that combine vibrantly illustrated produce on durable faux-blackboard surfaces accompanied by engaging chalk-like lettering. Not one to mess with the success of Marketplace Chalk, Blanc Display Group took a simi- lar approach when introducing Signature Series, a chalk-style produce signage and display line created specifically for pro- duce merchandisers to be used as a cross-category tool to support existing signage, thereby updating décor without incurring unreasonable time constraints in the process or excessive costs. Although distinctive in its own right, the Signature Series complements the coun- try simplicity of Marketplace Chalk by utilizing the same quality materials cus- tomers have come to associate and appreciate with the Marketplace Chalk line. The Signature Series offers compre- hensive information, decorative basket signage, street signs and produce catego- ry headers with optional corresponding hardware intended to save space, support paper signage programs and satisfy Blanc Display Group (Cont'd. from p. 1) inquisitive customers. And for those customers wanting a little more information and service- friendly know-how, Blanc Display Group has introduced the World of Produce™ merchandise line. Where the Signature Series speaks to specific pro- duce, World of Produce Buyer's Guides kick it up a notch by highlighting cul- tures, cuisines and categories with an optional tech-savvy twist. Along with informative headers offering cooking techniques, preparation tips, flavor pro- files and health benefits, each header has a mix-and-match option of Rectangular QR Code Inserts and/or Round Single-Sided QR Code Side Toppers. The QR Code may be scanned using a smartphone with a free down- loaded QR Code reader/scanner. Once scanned, on-demand item information like selection and storage tips, nutrition facts, general information and more are at your fingertips, literally. The best part, choose one or more options from the World of Produce Buyer's Guide line for instant access to produce infor- mation. Better yet, mix-and-match the complementary Marketplace Chalk, Signature Series and/or World of Produce Buyer's Guide merchandise lines to create a program unique to your style, customer base, existing signage program and budget. You're only limit- ed by your imagination. For more information, go to www.blancind.com or call 888.332.5262.