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Produce Show Daily Wednesday, June 14, 2017 1 6 MICHIGAN APPLES: A FOODIE'S DELIGHT With great taste and so many varieties and flavor profiles to choose from, Michigan Apples are an unexpected ingredient in sweet and savory dishes for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack time. The defining factor that sets Michigan Apples apart from apples grown elsewhere is their premium flavor. Michigan Apples are for the choosiest of apple consumers. They are top-of-the- line, bursting with flavor and are born in Michigan, where apples love to grow. Michigan's unique climate, geography, nutrient-rich soil and dedicated growers all contribute to apple flavor and quality. Food bloggers rave about Michigan Apples for their flavor and versatility, as well as their eye-catching appearance. Recipe developers often encourage the use of Michigan Apples, because they know Michigan Apples taste delicious baked or fresh and the cider and juice is ideal for homemade beverages and cock- tails. Selective parents choose Michigan Apples, because they want their children to enjoy healthy snacks, and kids love the sweet taste and crisp bite only a Michigan Apple can offer. Consumers seek out apples that are fresh from Michigan, because they have such a distinct flavor that apples grown elsewhere simply do not compare. Home chefs can visit the Michigan Apple Committee website to find recipes, health information and fla- vor profiles of the many Michigan Apple varieties. Michigan Apple's strong social media presence allows Michigan Apple lovers from all over the nation to connect, share recipes and dis- cuss why they feel Michigan Apples reign supreme. Michigan Apples are grown by peo- ple who appreciate quality fruit, for people who appre- ciate quality fruit. Growers are committed to staying up to date on research and tech- nological advances in order to continue to produce the highest-quality, best-tasting apples. The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to marketing, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan Apple and encourage its con- sumption in Michigan and around the world. For more information, go to www .michiganapples.com. PASSION FOR INNOVATION UPDATES ORIGINAL TWIST-EASE SYSTEM Twist-Ease is the original "No Hassle Bag Closure System" made in the U.S.A. Founded in 1989 and located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company manufactures a patented twist tie dis- pensing system designed for consumer use in produce, bulk, bakery and meat departments. The company also produces a patented flag tie dispensing system designed to be used wherever a space to write a PLU or BIN number is needed. Twist-Ease systems are labor saving and simple to refill, with no spilled ties, cre- ating a positive store experience that is clean, sanitary and organized. This year, Twist-Ease is launching an innovative new system called Click- N-Go which offers customers a fresh and clean dispenser with every refill. Also new are the 4-inch flag ties that take up less space than traditional 6-inch flag ties. The original Twist-Ease system was designed by a produce manager who rec- ognized the consumer desire for a reli- able bag closure, but was tired of the mess and inconvenience of bulk ties. The new Click-N-Go system optimizes the original system by fitting more ties into a smaller footprint that consists of a metal mounting apparatus that is permanently affixed in the store. This new prefilled disposable dispenser will "click" into the mounting apparatus, providing a fresh and clean dispenser every refill. Twist-Ease's main target is grocery store chains across the United States, Canada and Australia. Its cus- tomers are decision makers in produce, bulk foods, store chains and supply buy- ers. Twist ties prevent unpaid products from spilling onto the floor as well as limiting checkout inaccu- racies by keeping product together and preventing an apple from rolling off the edge of a scale. Twist ties protect retail customers from cross contamination threats by keeping the bag sealed tightly. The International Association of Food Protection has found yeast, mold, staph and coliforms living and growing on checkout conveyors. Twist ties also reduce customer "sampling" or "grazing" on product as they shop other depart- ments. Twist-Ease not only provides all the benefits of bulk twist ties, but also saves on labor. The Twist- Ease system holds 1,200 twist ties per pack, versus a cup that holds only 300 to 400 loose twist ties, greatly reducing time spent replen- ishing dispensers. It also eliminates loose twist ties from spilling out of cups because Twist-Ease twist ties are held together at the top, so only one is taken at a time. Over its 27-year history, Twist-Ease has been innovative in providing an increasing number of twist ties while reducing dispenser size. This innovation has resulted in the newly launched Click- N-Go system. For more information, go to www.twistease.com or call 888.623.8390. BUILD THE WAREHOUSE YOU NEED INSIDE THE SAN ANTONIO WHOLESALE PRODUCE MARKET The demand for larger warehouse accom- modations with cold rooms and freezers in central Texas is already pushing the recently inaugurated San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market in south San Antonio to continue the development of the next phases of its warehouse park. So far, only 25 of a total of 80 acres designated for the development have been constructed on. A total of 60 refrig- erated warehouse units of about 3,100 square feet each were finished by the beginning of this year, and the developer, Abasto Properties LLC, had great suc- cess selling most of the units in this first phase and continues leasing the remain- ing units. Abasto Properties has already started with planning and engineering of the sec- ond phase of the new Produce Terminal Market. Although ground break is not planned until the first half of next year, the company is already pre-selling the industrial lots for customers to construct warehouses of 10,000 square feet or more. Backed by more than three decades of experience in wholesale produce mar- ket developments, Abasto Properties will offers its coun- sel to companies acquiring these lots to design and con- struct a warehouse according to their needs and specifica- tions. Owner financ- ing for the purchase of the lots is avail- able. The new industrial lots will come with ample concrete streets for truck maneuvering and parking on one side, paved streets and plenty of parking for vehicles on the other side, water, sewer, electricity and public light services. In addition, the lots are part of the same condominium administration of the exist- ing warehouses in the first phase, and enjoy the common amenities that come along with it, including controlled access, security and video surveil- lance, landscaping and main- tenance. The second phase of the new San Antonio Wholesale Produce Market will not only enhance the relevance of the development in the Texas produce indus- try overall, but will also attract larger companies looking at San Antonio as an ideal distribution, processing, re-packing and wholesale spot for their U.S.- or Mexico-grown products. To learn more about warehouse leasing or purchase of industrial lots, contact Luz Moreno at 210.865.0683 or go to www.sawpm.com/en. ORGANIC FRESH POTATOES FROM FARM FRESH DIRECT Farm Fresh Direct started in 1999 in Monte Vista, Colorado as a partnership of multi-generational family potato farms located throughout Colorado that were dedicated to growing fresh, healthy and delicious food. The farms realized they had to work together to provide year round supply and compete in today's fast changing retail, foodservice and con- sumer environment. As careful stewards of the land, Farm Fresh Direct fields have nourished families for more than three generations. Chances are, its provided for your family, too. In a short 17 years, it never imagined it would become one of the largest pota- to providers in the U.S., and now it's working with growers beyond Colorado and has become the largest grower owned shipper of fresh potatoes. The company is proud it has grown this way, and it's still grow- ing strong by responding to today's ever changing consumers and their need for convenience. Farm Fresh Direct was the first to introduce the individually wrapped microwave potato, and is still No. 1, and it has expanded the Express Bake™ convenience line to include trays and sweet potatoes. Several years ago, it also saw the trend for organics and began an aggressive plan for certifying its land and plants. Today the compa- ny is one of the largest grow- ers of organic fresh potatoes in the U.S. Farm Fresh Direct improves its products and practices in numerous ways, and one is by listening to you. It wel- comes all comments and feedback and is dedicated to making the world and its products better for you and your cus- tomers. For more information, call 719.852.2600 or go to www.farmfreshdirect.net.