Oser Communications Group

NATURALLY HEALTHY www.gourmetnews.com n SEPTEMBER 2017 n GOURMET NEWS N H 4 4 Bellucci EVOO from Italy Leads in Exceptional Traceability, Flavor Since its inception, Bellucci Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil has empowered consumers to trace every Bellucci bottle back to its source. This unprecedented and revolution- ary access to origin pinpoints the location of the contributing mills where local olives were pressed within hours of harvest. Rely- ing on Bellucci's advanced trace-to-source technology and app, consumers have gained confidence from knowing the precise loca- tion where their EVOO hails from while learning about the flavors distinct to specific regions and cultivars. With its long-standing commitment to transparency, origin and product informa- tion, the company has now earned coveted ISO 22005 certification. This third-party des- ignation independently confirms the trace- ability of Bellucci's olives, its oil and the security of its containers and packaging; Bel- lucci's ongoing practice of documenting all stages of production; and the coordination of all participants in the value chain. It is a tes- tament to the integrity of the brand and the reliability and effectiveness of its traceability system. In addition to having long provided access to origin and detailed product information, Bellucci has emphasized freshness in all facets of its production. By ensuring that its product arrives fresh from Italy, with the harvest date featured on the front label, the product also reaches shoppers when fla- vor and nutrition are at their peak. The brand's combined priorities result in EVOO that truthfully pres- ents the original flavor and character of its origin. These three tenets have Bellucci reg- ularly winning awards at tasting competi- tions. The 2017 harvest is no exception. At this year's New York International Olive Oil Competition, Bellucci's Organic Toscano PGI earned a gold medal. Toscano brings the celebrated fruit and artichoke flavors of Tuscany to the table. It is ideal for fresh salads, as spectacular finishing oil for grilled fish and meats, or as sea- soning for any vegetable dish. Both Organic Italian, with hints of grassy sweetness and light spice, and 100% Italian, with a balanced flavor that is ideal for all-around daily cooking, have pre- viously also won accolades. Each of these varieties are newly available in On-the-Go EVOO squeeze packs, which have the great flavor of traceable Italian now making a splash – one delicious drizzle at a time. For more information, go to www .belluccipremium.com. Cento: America's Favorite San Marzano Cento Fine Foods became America's favorite brand for authentic Italian and San Marzano tomatoes by selling only consistent premium quality tomatoes at the best consumer value. San Marzano tomatoes are widely recognized by top chefs, Italian cooks and foodies as the gold standard for taste. Chefs prefer San Marzano tomatoes for not only their sweet- ness, low acidity and meaty flesh, but their consistency in flavor, quality and texture. As the popularity of the San Marzano tomato grew among chefs and restauranteurs, home cooks were hoping to achieve the same flavor profile in their kitchen, and the need for San Marzano tomatoes increased. To be classified as a true San Marzano tomato, stringent criteria and guidelines must be followed during the entire process, from germination to harvesting to canning. These tomatoes are best suited for warmer climates, which is why the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy is the ideal location for them to thrive. The area's high water table, Mediterranean microclimate and rich volcanic soil from Mount Vesuvius all combine to give San Marzano tomatoes the taste and quality that sets them apart from other tomato varieties. San Marzano tomatoes have a firm pulp, deep red color, easy to remove skin, sweet flesh, low acidity and low seed count, all of which combine to make them the perfect tomato for sauce recipes. Cento goes to great lengths in monitoring its planting, grow- ing and harvesting processes to ensure Cento Certified San Marzano Tomatoes retain the world-renowned flavor that makes them so special. Cento is one of the only brands that owns its own production facility in the Sarnese Nocerino area of Italy, which allows local farmers to deliver hand-picked tomatoes to the facility within hours of selection for canning. Its tomatoes follow all criteria and guidelines to be clas- sified as an authentic San Marzano tomato, certified by an independent third-party agency, Agri-Cert, and then additional steps are taken with the company's own propri- etary specifications and Quality Assurance testing processes. Cento Fine Foods is paving the way in transparency and traceabil- ity for consumers with Find My Field from Cento, powered by PAC Traceability. Using the lot code on the top of each can of Cento Certified San Marzano Tomatoes, consumers can trace their tomatoes to the exact field where they were grown with an interactive map at www.findmyfield.com. From seed to shelf, Cento Certified San Marzano Toma- toes are strictly monitored and held to the highest of standards so they remain the pre- mier choice for any authentic Italian recipe. For more information, go to www.cento.com or email marketing@cento.com. Montchevre 8-ounce Fresh Goat Cheese Logs Now Non-GMO True North Certified Montchevre, a leading goat cheese manufac- turer in the United States, announces its 8- ounce Fresh Goat Cheese Logs are now NSF Non-GMO True North Certified. The pro- ducer of the first non-GMO goat cheese, Montchevre began exploring converting to non-GMO in 2013 and in July 2015, launched its NSF Non-GMO True North Certified 4-ounce Fresh Goat Cheese Logs. True pioneers, family owned and operated, Montchevre has been producing goat cheese since 1989, and has grown to be a United States market leader. In January 2017, the company made a commitment to transition 20-25 additional farms to non-GMO by the end of 2017 and has successfully added 10 more farms to the non-GMO compliant list in just three months. Montchevre has also in- creased its trusted network of goat's milk suppliers to include more than 400 independ- ent family-owned farms across Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Illinois that account for the largest single pool of goat milk in the country. "We continue to see strong consumer de- mand for non-GMO goat cheese and are pleased to add the NSF Non-GMO True North seal to another top-selling product," said Arnaud Solandt, co-Founder of Montchevre. "Our top priority is to remain true to the principles we were built upon and to create the highest quality products that we possibly can. Montchevre's focus on non- GMO reaffirms our commitment to not only creating a better product, but also to invest- ing in our farmers, our goats and the envi- ronment." Montchevre's 8-ounce Fresh Goat Cheese Logs carry the NSF Non-GMO True North seal on the label. NSF Non-GMO True North assures the integrity of GMO claims and aims to grow the breadth and di- versity of non-GMO/GE verified products sold at retail. Montchevre is available at in- dependent grocers and major retailers across the U.S., including Bristol Farms, Gelson's, HEB, Ingles Markets, Publix, Safeway, Sam's Club, Schnucks, Smart & Final, Stop & Shop, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods. Products can also be purchased online at www.montchevre.com and shipped nation- wide. About Montchevre Founded in 1989 by Arnaud Solandt and Jean Rossard, Montchevre began as a small operation in a 4,000 square-foot former cheddar plant in Preston, Wisconsin. More than 25 years later, Montchevre is a leading goat cheese producer in the United States. Re- maining true to its original core princi- ples, Montchevre places emphasis on high- quality, wholesome products and production of outstanding goat cheese at the very best value. Producing more than 50 variations of goat cheese, thanks to the supply of milk from 400-plus local family farms, Montchevre is conscious of ethics and best practice, purposely protecting farmers' liveli- hoods and striving to provide a safe and pleasant work environment for all employ- ees. The Montchevre product line includes a large variety of traditional goat cheese, aged specialty goat cheese and seasonally inspired goat cheese available nationwide. For more information, go to www.montchevre.com. Gluten-Free Coconut Macaroons from Poppies International Poppies International is passionate about making cookies and pastries to be enjoyed by everyone. Poppies' products are all about sharing, generosity and tradition, and have been ever since 1935. They originate from the spirit of Master Baker Popelier, who laid the foundations of the bakery in the heart of Flanders Fields, the granary of Belgium. He established a unique tradition of selecting the best quality ingredients and guaranteeing freshness – always, no matter what. He taught what it takes to make good bakery products without pretension. That's why Poppies International makes cookies and pastries that taste great, offer moments of in- dulgence and respond to your expectations. The company may have outgrown the original, small Popelier bakery, but it hasn't outgrown the Master Baker's ideas about artisan quality and customer service. Poppies' popular Belgian Coconut Macaroons have a high coconut content, which results in a very rich coconut taste. It is proud to offer these non-GMO, kosher and gluten-free certified. It does not only offer a plain coconut macaroon, but also has a chocolate flavored coconut macaroon which lets you enjoy both coconut and chocolate fla- vors blended together. Whether you'd like a quick snack on the go or you'd like to share these with friends, the company offers them both indi- vidually wrapped or packed six in a box. For more information, email info@poppies.us or call 252.442.4016.

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