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OCG Show Daily Monday, June 5, 2017 2 6 CARLA'S PASTA PUTS INNOVATION AT THE FOREFRONT By Ashley Biel, Project Manager, Carla's Pasta, Inc. Carla's has always worked to produce consistent, innovative pasta and pesto products that will tantalize our discerning customers. The rapidly growing Italian segment of the food industry is very dynamic. We continue to see our cus- tomers embracing our new pesto vari- eties, pasta shapes and fillings. Every day, restaurant owners discover our easy- to-prepare products that result in satis- fied, happy faces around the tables they serve. Carla's puts innovation at the fore- front of all product development, striv- ing to stand out among all competitors on quality. In 1979, Carla's first inno- vation to the food industry was Basil Pesto, very traditional in Italy. The secret behind a wonderful and flavorful pesto, you ask? Simply using fresh, clean ingredients when blended togeth- er that generate an added punch of fla- vor used with any pasta, protein, sauce, etc. Carla's first introduced tortellini with the capelleto shape (cardinal's cap). This shape provides the customer with a greater filling-to-pasta ratio while allowing more sauce pickup. Tortellini with open centers are still produced by the competition with a smaller percentage of filling in each one. Another firm distinction between Carla's and our competitors is the col- ors of the rainbow tortellini we pro- duce. A majority of pasta manufactur- ers incorporate dyes in their recipes to produce colored pasta, while Carla's uses all clean ingredients to achieve various pasta colors and flavors. Our pasta is vibrant in color because we use real spinach and tomato. Our customers can taste the difference. Sacchettini was an entirely new pasta concept discovered by Carla on a trip home to Italy. It is a fantastic and delightful creation that looks like a purse – pasta gathered at the top to hold filling con- centrated in its round belly. The top is a flower of delicate pasta, sitting on a burst of flavor. The most recent additions to the Carla's Pasta lineup, Tuscan Style Vegetable Ravioli and Gluten Free Penne, were strategi- cally developed with health conscious consumers in mind. Tuscan Style Vegetable Ravioli begins with a stone ground whole wheat and durum octag- onal pasta shape filled with a medley of sautéed summer vegetables, kale and edamame. Add any pesto variety or a simple lemon or brown butter sauce for a guaranteed light, but fill- ing meal for spring, summer or any time of year. Carla's thought it was important to develop a product for those who are gluten intolerant or choose to consume a non-gluten diet. For that reason, Carla's produces a Gluten Free Penne, made from corn and rice flour so the whole family can enjoy a delicious Sunday dinner regardless of dietary restrictions. Carla's then decided a new, inno- vative ravioli shape was needed, and the Pacchetti was born. This new shape is a four-sided, pinched pyramid ravioli filled with a blend of gor- gonzola, Monterey Jack, ricotta and bleu cheeses sure to add a punch of flavor with any sauce. The pairings with this item are endless as there is such unique flavor. Our favorite pairing is with bourbon soaked cherries, toasted pecans and balsamic glaze. When it comes to Carla's, we never think anything is out of reach. Along with our traditional items, Carla's offers 'out of the box' options as well, including Cheeseburger Ravioli, Buffalo Chicken Ravioli and Stromboli Ravioli. We are an old fashioned company with a very clear mission. We create pasta and pesto the best way we know how. The company's kitchen is just an extension of Carla's kitchen at home. For more information, visit www.carlas pasta.com. SHOWCASE YOUR BRAND WITH PACKAGING DESIGNED TO SELL Packaging can be a "silent salesper- son," compelling consumers to make a purchasing decision within seconds, which can lead to a lifetime of brand loyalty. At the point of sale, a package needs to be attractive and appealing to the consumer's emotional side while providing key information. Below are top tips for creating packaging designed to sell. Know your Market The first step to getting your product into the consumer's hands is to know your market. What are your target audience's needs and wants? If you have a food product, does your customer want a microwavable single serve cup for on- the-go convenience? Does your customer want family size or multi-pack options? When selecting packaging materials and designing graphics, consider what your competition is doing and how your pack- aging sets your product apart. Create Attractive Graphics with Shelf Appeal A well-designed package communicates all necessary information and branding with eye-catching graphics that can influ- ence a consumer's buying decisions. Is your logo paramount to your branding? What colors are most attractive? Will photography help sell your product? Be bold with key information on the front of the package and utilize the back to pro- vide additional information to enhance the consumer's experience. Build a Positive, User Friendly Experience Packaging needs to be user friendly and functional for both the consumer and retailer. The package should protect the product, offer ease of use, include clear instructions and have key information prominent. In some instances, packag- ing graphics may include games, recipes or a short story about the prod- uct or company to further connect with the target audience. Consider offer- ing point-of-purchase dis- plays to further increase sales. Work with Professionals Partner with an experienced packaging manufacturer who can provide invalu- able insight on material and printing options. Work with a graphic designer familiar with packaging structures. For the best printing results, have the design- er work directly with the packaging man- ufacturer to create and set up the graphics appropriately. Proofread Carefully Depending on the product, the packag- ing may need specific consumer infor- mation to comply with health and safe- ty regulations. For instance, packaging for a food product may have a Nutrition Facts label, ingredients, allergen statement, net weight and a barcode. Double check that the con- tent, text size and barcode meet requirements to keep your product in the marketplace. When utilizing func- tional and attractive creative packaging, complete with required information, you can stay ahead of your competition with a product and package that is designed to sell. Celebrating more than 25 years of experience and innovation, Interpress Technologies is a leading food pack- aging manufacturer specializing in formed paperboard containers, wrapped cups, printed sidewalls and folding cartons with high impact graphics. Interpress has three loca- tions producing packaging "Made in USA" with certified sustainable paperboard. Interpac Technologies, a sister company, is a certified organic co-pack facility and fills cups, bags, pouches and specialty oils (coconut, olive, flax). For more information, call 800.929.9771, email inquiry@iptec.com or go to www.interpresstechnologies.com. HOLSTEIN MFG. CELEBRATES 40 YEARS By Darrin B. Schmidt, President of Holstein Mfg. Holstein Mfg. is a second generation family-owned business which specializes in commercial mobile/stationary barbe- cue grills (charcoal, propane and natural gas), commercial mobile smokers, corn roasters, deep fat fryers, high-end resi- dential grills and concession trailers. Holstein Mfg. operates with stainless steel and carbon steel fabrication using computerized design, laser tables, steel bending brakes, steel shearing equipment and welders. We pride ourselves about making everything from the ground up with all fabrication taking place at our facility in Holstein, Iowa. Our company was established in 1976 by Bruce Schmidt and now is enjoying the smooth and successful tran- sition to the second generation. I have been involved with the company since I was nine years old. Holstein Mfg. has the lifelong experience and reputation in the commercial outdoor food cooking equip- ment to satisfy any customer looking for a high quality grill, smoker, corn roaster or fryer. Holstein Mfg. prides itself on the innumerable NSF- approved grills, smokers, corn roast- ers and deep fat fry- ers. Holstein Mfg. has survived and prospered by continuing to improve upon and innovate new products for our con- sumers and improve upon current prod- ucts. Our motto has been, "We can build almost anything." That statement rings loud and clear with the fact that we sell a charcoal grill for as little as $285 to our highest priced item which is an NSF- approved, stainless steel convection smoker for $27,900. Nobody covers the high quality, outdoor grilling market and food preparation like Holstein Mfg. Ingenuity and the ability to build to the customer specifications is a natural and gratifying quali- ty of the employees of Holstein Mfg. One of our proudest part- nerships in develop- ment was with the late Bill Wall (Billy Bones). My father, Bruce Schmidt, and Bill Wall developed our Model 600 Chicken, Rib and Beef Convection Cooker with smoker for the Rib Cook Off Circuit and large event mass food production. Holstein Mfg. specializes in stain- less steel NSF cooking, grilling and smoking equipment that you cannot find anywhere else. It is durable, affordable and yes, can be custom made! For more information, visit www .holsteinmfg.com.