Oser Communications Group

GOURMET NEWS www.gourmetnews.com n JANUARY 2017 n GOURMET NEWS 1 1 0 Simple Ingredients, Purely Bodacious Twice Baked Potato Sticks are quickly be- coming the gold standard for sweet and sa- vory snacking in the U.S.A. The Geraldine's ® brand, which was born in At- lanta, Georgia more than two decades ago, is gearing up for exponential growth through a partnership with a large and very successful food marketing/manufacturing group, also based in the Southeast. These new and exciting changes will fur- ther elevate America's No. 1 Cheese Straws from a regional favorite to a nationally rec- ognized snacking sensation. Always Boda- cious! Always Fun! The company's products have become known as the key ingredient for gatherings and special occasions, as its tag-line indicates – "It's How We Entertain!" The company is built on a foundation of exceptional product quality, outstanding ful- fillment capabilities and a strong promo- tional platform. In conjunction with its new partnership, the Bodacious Foods retailer partners can expect even stronger advertising and PR support, which will drive new con- sumers to the brand. As part of the new busi- ness relationship, retailers who feature the Geraldine's products will benefit from cut- ting edge product innovations which will cat- apult the brand forward to create a "must have" assortment of products that will reach every consumer who enjoys simply natural and flavorful snacking. In addition to offering savory cheese straws, the company's cookie line-up includes Key Lime, Italian Wedding Cookies and the now famous Pecan Cini-Mini's. Each of these fla- vorful morsels is lightly dusted with just the right amount of confectioners' sugar and are the perfect pairing to a fresh cup of tea or coffee. Bodacious Foods also produces a gluten- free line of Geraldine's & Jaxn's ® Twice Baked Potato Sticks in a variety of delicious flavors, including Sweet Po- tato and Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper. These innovative products are providing snack lovers with a healthful gluten-free choice that is fun to eat and is naturally low in calories. They have become exceptionally popular with natural and spe- cialty shoppers alike. These unique additions to the assortment have grown out of the con- sumer demand for a tasteful and indulgent treat that is competitively priced and can be enjoyed as an everyday snack. For more information, go to www .bodaciousfoods.com. Atkinson Launching New Peanut Butter Bar Atkinson Candy Company has been making delicious Peanut Butter Bars since the early 1940s, when Co-Founder Mabel Atkinson created this sweet treat along with many of the candies the company still makes today. "We're known for our flagship brand Chick-O-Stick, but everyday Peanut Butter Bars outsell Chick-O-Stick when sold side by side," says Eric Atkinson, President. The company launched a new Peanut But- ter Bar as a sister item to its famous Chick- O-Stick. The newest version of the Peanut Butter Bar has a new look, too, with updated graphics and a clean ingredient label that will appeal to a wider variety of consumers. "Our recipe has always been simple, but we've gone the extra mile to make sure to re- move any artificial flavors and colors. Every- thing on the ingredient list is something you would have in your kitchen pantry," says Atkinson. Mabel's original recipe is still used today, starting with simple fresh ingredients in- cluding whole roasted peanuts for the best tasting homemade peanut butter, some sugar for sweetness and a dash of salt for a sa- vory twist. Crunchy Peanut Butter Bars are sure to satisfy your candy craving, whether sweet or savory. Atkinson Candy Company has an 84-year history of handcrafting some of the most classic candies still on the market. According to Atkinson, "That's the unique thing about our business – we're a true hybrid of tradition and innovation. While we stay true to our traditional roots, we're still looking for ways to make sensible updates to our brands and recipes that entice younger consumers to come along on the journey with us. "With a 38,000 square foot factory expan- sion underway, there are a lot of new things happening at Atkinson Candy. We're leaning in to our future and preparing for the next 84 years," says Atkinson. Too Tarts Candy Keeps Kids Happy and Healthy Innovative Candy Concepts has been making kids candy for 22 years. The company's prod- uct lines and sales continue to be a top seller at retailers across the U.S.A. What makes Too Tarts so special? The company's desire to have it all: healthy candy that tastes great, strong sales and a product made in the U.S.A. The company's sales continue to grow, along with its product offerings. Too Tarts is now available in four distinct top sellers: Spray Candy, Suck Ups Liquid Candy, Gimme Goo in a bottle and Goo4You in a squeeze tube. All Too Tarts products are sugar-free and loaded with Vitamin C. Xyli- tol is the main natural sweetener, made from fruits and berries and No. 1 recommended by the American Dental Association to help pro- mote healthy teeth and gums for children. Armand Hammer, President and Chief Ex- ecutive Officer, said, "We recently discov- ered that we are the only major kids candy brand sold in the U.S.A. that is made in America. About 60 percent of kids candy purchases are actu- ally made by adults, so we decided to let the consumers know we were proudly made in the U.S.A." The new candy labeling features the American flag on each piece of candy and all of the displays. Since the de- cision was made to promote "Made in the U.S.A.," Too Tarts sales at retail have sky- rocketed and are stronger than ever. The adult con- sumer cares what they are buying for their kids. Innovative Candy Concepts welcomes all new retailers to join in its efforts to make a difference in children's lives by profitably selling a kids candy you can be proud of. Healthy candy, healthy kids and healthy sales! Manuka Honey Salted Caramels from Pacific Resources International Savor sweet health with Pacific Resources International's new Manuka Honey Salted Caramels. Using only the finest Manuka honey harvested from the pristine New Zealand native forests and solar-evaporated natural sea salt from the clean waters sur- rounding New Zealand, a classic caramel is reborn for today's health and taste-conscious consumer. For more than a quarter of a century, Pa- cific Resources International has im- ported and developed New Zealand's highest quality products for the U.S. consumer. It was the first to introduce Manuka honey to these shores in 1989, and has since developed Amer- ica's largest range of authentic New Zealand Manuka wellness products and everyday energy treats for a healthier lifestyle. Manuka is renowned for its special properties that help with digestive issues and build the body's defense system. Manuka Honey Caramels are built on a base of organic brown rice syrup, con- densed whole milk, organic dried cane syrup, molasses and natural flavors. Be smart, eat well and stay healthy. For more information, visit www.shoppri .com or call 805.684.0624. Chef's Cut Real Jerky Adds Sizzle to Premium Line Chef's Cut Real Jerky is about to turn the jerky industry on its head – again. Chef's Cut Real Jerky is answering the calls of all meat lovers with the launch of its Real Bacon Jerky line, which includes Maple, Apple- wood and Sriracha varieties. Whether you like your bacon sweet, smoky or spicy, there's a variety sure to please your flavor palate. Each piece of smoked bacon is thin and crispy, giving you the perfect chewy crunch. "Bacon has been one of the most popular foods for decades, and it's only becoming more of an obsession," says Bart Silvestro, Chief Executive Officer of Chef's Cut Real Jerky. "Launching the new line of bacon jerky was a natural and exciting next step for Chef's Cut Real Jerky, as our goal is to pro- vide customers with the flavors they love, the quality they desire and the only jerky they'll ever need." Smoking and marinating meats throughout his entire life, Co-Founder of Chef's Cut Real Jerky, Chef Blair Swiler, lives and breathes jerky. Growing tired of finding poor quality jerky on the market, Chef Blair teamed up with fellow jerky lover Dennis Riedel and to- gether they decided they could re-invent how con- sumers view and experience jerky. In 2009, the two made their partnership official and set out on a mission to intro- duce high-quality jerky to the market. "Jerky has been a part of my life ever since my father taught me the art of perfectly smoking and marinating meat at a young age," says Blair Swiler, Chef and Co-Founder of Chef's Cut Real Jerky. "For our new bacon varieties, I wanted to pair un- cured bacon with bold flavors I love like Sriracha, maple syrup and Applewood smoke." The Chef's Cut Real Jerky product line also features chef-crafted, flavor- ful varieties such as the Real Steak Jerky Original Recipe that is slowly marinated in a horseradish, Worces- tershire and proprietary soy sauce and Real Chicken Jerky Buffalo Style which packs the same kick and taste you'd find in a buffalo wing at a restaurant without the fat or mess. Chef's Cut Real Jerky is currently avail- able at select retailers, the Chef's Cut Real Jerky website www.chefscutrealjerky.com and Amazon.com. For more information, email bgarnero@ccrj.com or call 206.617.4463.

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