Produce & Floral News Show Daily @ IFPA • Oct. 29, 2022

Organic & Gluten-Free Graham Cracker Sandwiches

Mushroom Blends from Guan’s Mushroom

Over the last few years, the world has been turned upside

Normally, focus would be on supplying product with an abundance of logistics carriers lined

the world journeys past

ensure on time delivery

infrastructure

been dec imated

packaging materials, sourcing raw materi als, basic communica tion and transporta tion have over com

prod

Revolutionary Anti-Aging & Brain Health Product

B y M a r k W e b b , V P o f M a r k e

Nature’s Fusions

While conducting research 10 years ago, Nature’s Fusions discovered an amazing compound called NACET, N Acetyl L Cysteine Ethyl Ester that is paramount in boosting glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is the

Once Again Nut Butter is making its high quality, sustain ably sourced nut and seed butters super snackable with 100% gluten free graham cracker sandwiches Available in peanut butter and sunflower seed butter flavors, these on the go, single serve snacks are the only sandwich crackers that are certi fied both organic and gluten free. They’re also, vegan, Kosher certified, Non GMO

FDMR Debuts Fully Cooked Porkless Bacon

Industry pioneer Food Dreams Made Real (FDMR) the same company that brought Suji’s Korean Cuisine to millions of American shoppers is at it again The Chicago based trailblazer is launching a new line of innovative plant based proteins under the RED label, whose name conveys exactly what it stands for: Real, Earth, Delicious

More than two years in the making, the first RED item out of the gate

fully cooked, pork

Alternative Sweeteners from Suzanne’s Specialties

Suzanne’s Specialties has been supplying alternative sweeteners to the health food and industrial food mar kets since 1984 Its offerings include brown rice syrup, clarified rice syrup, rice maltodextrin syrup and solids, tapioca syrup, tapioca maltodextrin and solids, agave syrup, inulin, cane sugar, invert syrups, molasses, honey, rice milk powder, coconut sugar and syrup It also has the ability to make custom blends and sweetener systems

All Suzanne’s Specialties industri al products have been verified by the Non GMO Project.

Suzanne’s Specialties offers an InfantSafe® version of all of its rice

Mooney Farms Shakes Up the Seasoning Category

Since 1987, three generations of the Mooney Family have passed down the time honored recipe for crafting premi um sun dried tomatoes in olive oil with authentic Italian herbs Bella Sun Luci is t h e o

U

tomatoes packed in 100% olive oil and creators of the 100% olive oil vinai grette line made using California extra virgin olive oil from the Mooney Family Estate. Bella Sun Luci has been pioneer

i n g u

products for over 30 years Their expan sion to the Italian Kitchen line is an opportunity to bring rich Italian flavor and wholesome California ingredients into every kitchen!

Now with the family’s strong back g

M

Faster, Fresher, Cooler

Produce Logistics with Americold

Where in the world are you importing from or exporting to? South America?

E u r o p e ? A u s t r a l i a o r N e w Z e a l a n d ?

Probably all of those and more How many service providers are involved w i t h t h e p i c k i n g , p a c k i n g , s h i p p i n g , repacking, storing and delivery of your

products? Your supply chain is already complicated and the demands of your customers won’t stop They want pro duce fresher, faster and more frequent ly Cost pressures are likely restricting you from adding to your team, so what can you do?

It’s a lot Americold understands and is here to assist With a vertically i n t e g r a t e d s u p p l y c h a i n m o d e l a n d industry experts who’ve been in your shoes, Americold has the infrastructure, the knowhow and the port adjacent l o c a t i o n s w i t h a f u l l s u i t e o f v a l u e added services that can alleviate the stress you and your supply chain are under

Importing from Spain? Americold has locations throughout the Iberian Peninsula Growers in South America? Americold's partners are there, too. Shipping through the East Coast, West Coast, or Gulf Coast of the United States? Americold has produce specific operations

Continued on Page 33

SDaily how

Kimberly Oser Publisher

President of Sales

Yasmine Brown Production Manager/Art Director

Flick Senior Editor

Jeanie Catron Associate Editor

Heather Albrecht Customer Ser vice

Account Manager

Lindsey Monroe Account Manager

Neal

of Operations

Thayer

Lee M Oser Founder

Anthony Socci

Marcos Morhaim

Logistics & Distribution

Products From Arizona Chile Roasters

M c B r o o m M e t a l W o r k s , d b a A r i z o n a

Chile Roasters, is a family owned and operated manufacturer of steel con structed chile and corn roasters, for commercial or home use The company has been building roasters since 1999 and is still passionate about its prod ucts, its customers and its business

roasters are designed for those cus tomers with a need for a smaller roast ing batch

The wheel mounted corn roaster has a rotisserie of six food grade stain less steel trays hand crank or motor ized All the chile and corn roasters are piped for propane gas and include hose w i t h h i g h p r e s s u r e adjustable regulator.

A r i z o n a C h i l e R o a s t e r s c o m b i n e s expertise with the high e s t s t a n d a r d s f o r c u s tomer service and quali t y p r o d u c t s W h e t h e r you have a question or a concern you’d like to address, you can count o n A r i z o n a C h i l e Roasters to give you the attention you deserve. It is part of providing t h e q u a l i t y c u s t o m e r service that customers h a v e c o m e t o k n o w f r o m A r i z o n a C h i l e

Roasters

How The Little Potato Company Is Reaching the Post-Pandemic Consumer

Arizona Chile Roasters’ commercial chile roasters are made in four different commercial barrel sizes to suit your business needs and/or customer base, and are offered with regular or food grade stainless steel barrels expanded metal The three sizes of table top chile

With roasters hand made in the United States, the manufacturer was selected for the state of Arizona to display at the Made in America Product Showcase at the White House in July 2019

For more information, visit booth #1165, go to www arizonachileroasters com or contact Derryl or Daphne McBroom at 520 825 8717 or mcbroom@arizonachileroasters com

T h e p a n d e m i c h a s i n f l u e n c e d a l l aspects of life, including consumers’ c o o k i n g h a b i t s E v e n a s C O V I D 1 9 guidelines ease across the country and life returns more and more to “normal,” they are still mostly cooking at home However, as excitement around cook ing experimentation lessens and cook ing fatigue sets in, families everywhere are seeking out time saving cooking solutions

The Little Potato Company strives to provide fast, easy and healthy meal solutions that meet consumers’ needs They offer a variety of solutions from convenient Microwave and Oven/Grill Ready Kits to a range of bagged pota toes in many varieties All of these prod ucts help families as they settle into their new cooking routines.

Cooking at Home

2021 to 19% this year This means they are seeking out options that are easy to prepare, but still provide flavor and vari ety

Demand for Convenience

As many Americans work from home, s t a r t a h y b r i d i n o f f i c e s c h e d u l e o r make a full time return to the office, they are also increasingly seeking out time saving meal solutions (FMI U S Grocery Shopper Trends 2022) These c h a n g i n g s c h e d u l e s a r e r e s u l t i n g i n the need for faster cooking and meal preparation with most people (74%) cooking their meals in less than an hour and 30% spending just 30 min utes or less (FMI U S Grocery Shopper Trends 2022).

Sunsweet

Sunsweet Growers is excited to launch Sierra Trail Bites, a plant based, protein packed snack, in October 2022. Made with 60% fruit, delicious prunes and dates for natural sweetness and almond flour and seeds, Sierra Trail Bites con tain 3 grams of plant based protein and 3 grams of natural fiber Sweetened with fruit with

added sugar, they’ll

three mouth watering

Almond Delight, Cranberry Walnut, and Peanut Butter. Sierra Trail Bites

portable,

At the onset of the pandemic, many consumers brushed up on their cooking skills and experimented in the kitchen a s s t a y a t h o m e o r d e r s w e r e announced More than two years later and even as restaurants are open, con sumers are still using these skills and cooking at home. Recent data shows that nearly half (48%) of consumers across all income levels are dining out l e s s ( N u m e r a t o r M o n t h l y C o n s u m e r Sentiment Survey, July 2022) With this increase in at home cooking, finding delicious and simple options continues to be a priority Little Potatoes come ready to use, cook quickly and pair well with various flavor combinations and cuisines, making them an ideal meal solution for people of all cooking skill levels.

Cooking Fatigue

Although trying out new recipes and cooking was enjoyable for many at the start of COVID 19, more Americans are reporting less interest in cooking, with the percentage of those saying they love to cook dropping from 23% in

D e m a n d f o r T h e L i t t l e P o t a t o Company’s fast and easy Microwave and Oven/Grill Ready Kits is increasing a s c o n s u m e r s s e e k o u t e a s y t o u s e products The Microwave Ready Kits, which can be made in just five minutes and are available in several delicious fla v o r s , a r e e s p e c i a l l y h e l p f u l f o r c o n sumers seeking variety and conven ience These Microwave Ready Kits are versatile and pair nicely with any pro tein, for a delicious meal that can be on the table in minutes The Oven/Grill Ready Kits, which are ready to use in the oven or on the grill, come in three pop u l a r p o t a t o p a i r i n g f l a v o r s a n d a r e ready in 30 minutes

With its line of delicious, healthy and convenient products, The Little Potato C o m p a n y i s t h e # 1 C r e a m e r p o t a t o brand in the United States, continually offering solutions that meet consumers’ evolving demands, as the pandemic trends of cooking at home and conven ience stick around

For more information, visit booth #3585, g o t o w w w l i t t l e p o t a t

Exotic Fruit From Belen Trading

At Belen Trading, family is important Belen Trading is a family business that wishes for nothing more than to be able to share the love it has for produce. Specializing in exotic and tropical fruits, Belen Trading is known for bringing the joy of fruits readily available in Latin America with the rest of the world

W I t h s u p p l i e r s a l l o v e r L a t i n America, Belen Trading has relation ships with a large diversity of people and an even larger variety of products year round This way, Belen Trading can guarantee customer satisfaction and b e c o m e a d e p e n d a b l e a n d r e l i a b l e source of produce for its clients

Belen Trading specializes in exotic fruit Its produce options include, but are not limited to: rambutan, dragon fruit, star fruit, mangosteen, longan, p a p a y a a n d m a n g o T h e p r o d u c e i s carefully selected to ensure the highest possible caliber and taste To achieve this, founder Hector Fernandez keeps close relationships with every individual supplier and personally visits them to conduct quality tests regularly Belen Trading prides itself on always provid ing the best possible fruit to its clients

Belen Trading is not only interested in sharing exotic fruits with others, but one of Belen Trading’s most important goals is also to help farmers in Latin American countries grow and become successful Over the past few years, the company’s suppliers’ businesses have grown exponentially alongside Belen Trading, creating opportunities for not just Belen Trading and its clients, but also for those who are responsible for the excellent quality and care for its pro duce These flourishing relationships between suppliers and Belen Trading also have a positive impact on the econ omy of Latin American countries, a mis sion Belen Trading values greatly Belen Trading aims to export tropi cal fruits all over the world and help the hardworking Latin American farmers become fairly compensated for their important labor With a large network of skilled suppliers who also focus on q u a l i t y a n d s h a r e t h e s a m e v a l u e s , Belen Trading became an increasingly dependable source for produce all over the country

For more information, visit booth #4392

Onions 52 Kicks off Fall

Onion Season in Northwest

Syracuse, Utah based Onions 52 has officially kicked off its fall onion season i n W a s h i n g t o n s t a

a

Falon Brawley comments.

Able Freight – Reducing Carbon Emission, One Shipment at a Time

Able Freight always tries its best to con tribute to a better environment One of the ways the company does that is by addressing the issues of CO2 emissions

T h e s u m m e r o f 2 0 2 1 w a s t h e h o t t e s t i n 1 2 6 y e a r s f o r t h e U n i t e d States California, Oregon, Utah, Idaho a n d N e v a d a s m a s h e d h e a t r e c o r d s Since 1880, the Earth’s temperature has risen by about 0.08 degrees Celsius (or 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit) per year. That rate accelerated to 0 18 degrees Celsius per year in the past 40 years

If action isn’t taken to reverse this trend, the temperature on Earth could become even hotter and have harmful c o n s e q u e n c e s : d r o u g h t , m e l t i n g i c e caps and tropical storms

Logistics is responsible for a sizable chunk of greenhouse gasses. According t o t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l P r o t e c t i o n Agency’s Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks, passenger and f r e i g h t t r a n s p o r t a t i o n a c c o u n t e d f o r 29% of total carbon emissions in the United States in 2019

This estimate includes passenger travel, not just logistics operations, but the fact remains that industry plays a role in the situation

How did we get to this point? It starts with the greenhouse effect. First identi fied in 1896, the greenhouse effect describes how Earth naturally uses gasses in the atmosphere to keep the planet comfortably warm for its inhabitants This is a good, natural process

Unfortunately, thanks to reliance on fossil fuels, we’ve been releasing excess gas into the Earth’s atmosphere and accelerating the process of global w a r m i n g A c c o r d i n g t o t h e N a t u r a l Resource Defense Council, the concen tration of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere has nearly doubled over the past century

The good news is that sustainability is becoming one of the most important t o p i c s i n s u p p l y c h a i n m a n a g e m e n t today Driven by consumer preferences for sustainable business practices, oper ations executives are looking for solu tions to reduce their footprint and leave the planet better than they found it Within logistics, there’s been a push to switch to electricity powered vehicles, integrate sustainable aviation fuel, and install scrubbers on container ships.

Sustainability is a topic that’s close to Able Freight’s heart Able Freight cares about the environment and the health of communities That’s why the company is implementing new tech nologies and making investments to reduce its carbon footprint

Able Freight Services is based in Los Angeles, California, and is a global expert in importing and exporting perishable commodities from the United States and Mexico to destinations worldwide

For more information, visit booth #3453, g o t o w w w a b l e f r e i g h t c o m o r c a l l 310 568 8883

/

,

, and Utah With demand for new crop onions exceedingly high, it has been a busy start to the season

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“ O n i o n s 5 2 i s a o n e s t o p o n i o n shop, with a plethora of options for retail packs, private labeling, foodser v i c e o f f e r i n g s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g i n between for all color onions,” reports Shawn Hartley, owner/VP of sales at Onions 52 “We are encouraged with the crop in the Northwest, including Idaho/Eastern Oregon It has been a crazy start to the growing season in all areas.”

s p r i n g c o u p l e d w i t h m u l t i p l e h e a t w a v e s d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n Some fields have certainly fared better than others. We are hopeful the growing conditions will allow the onions to put on a bit more size before harvest takes off ”

Marketing

n Washington state, and we will begin storing onions in early September for o u r r o b u s t s t o r a g e s e a s o n S t o r a g e onions have a significantly lower water content than summer onions, making them easier to store in climate con trolled sheds from early fall until the fol l o w i n g s p r i n g I t i s n o t u n l i k e l y f o r September harvested onions to ship to stores late into May and even early June,”

“Partner sheds in Eastern Oregon will start harvesting in late August and early September,” Tiffany Cruickshank r e p o r t s f r o m t h e n e w l y e s t a b l i s h e d Vale, Oregon, office “The crop looks variable due to a dry, cold, and windy

The Onions 52 farms will supply customers across the country with top quality red, y e l l o w ,

Guan’s Mushroom in Retail

Guan’s Mushroom is a family owned m u s h r o o m g r o w e r a n d d i s t r i b u t o r based in Los Angeles California. With over 25 years of mushroom experience, G u a n ’ s h a s t h r e e f a r m s i n V e n t u r a , Pescadaro and Half Moon Bay dedicat ed to growing specialty mushrooms to supply the local California market and the rest of the United States

W h i l e s t a r t i n g o f f w i t h a h e a v y f o c u s o n f o o d s e r v i c e , G u a n ’ s M u s h r o o m h a s r a p i d l y g r o w n r e t a i l offerings in the past 10 years, and now can be found in small and large grocery stores around the country. From large chains such as Vons and Market Basket to local specialty markets and vendors, Guan’s promises to provide consistent and reliable service and deliveries to make sure that the shelves are stocked with a variety of specialty mushrooms

The mushroom section varies from retailer to retailer, and so does Guan’s p a c k a g i n g t o h e l p m e e t e v e r y c u s tomer’s needs. For its flagship item, Shiitake Mushrooms, Guan’s Mushroom offers many different packaging and s i z e s , f r o m 4 o u n c e a l l t h e w a y t o

24 ounce

One of Guan’s most popular items has been its mushroom blends. Guan’s Mushroom blends consist of three differ ent varieties of mushrooms combined together with simple and easy to make recipes on the back Guan’s Mushroom labels each blend to make it easier for the consumer to understand what to use them for For example, BBQ Blend con sists of shiitake, portabella, and king oys ter mushrooms and can be used for grilling. Guan’s Mushroom has found that the blends are a great way to intro duce consumers to specialty mushroom.

“One of the biggest misconcep tions with mushrooms is that most peo ple think that cooking mushroom is hard or that they are afraid of messing up at home We try to educate our cus tomers and teach them that cooking mushroom is very easy and can add a lot of flavor to their existing recipes,” says Jack Guan, business development.

For more information, visit booth #4848, g o t o w w w g u a n s m u s h r o o m c o m o r email info@guansmushroom com

Microgreens From Fresh Origins

Fresh Origins Farm

m e n t f o r p r o d u c i n g s t r o n g , h e a l t h y a n d h i g h l y f l a v o r e d m i c r o g r e e n s

Piña Picante From Crispy Green

By Cherie Boldt, Director of Marketing, Crispy Green

As more consumers are seeking out better for you snacks, new options and f l a v o r c o m b i n a t i o n s h a v e b e c o m e a greater demand to connect with this g r o w i n g s e g m e n t C r i s p y G r e e n ’ s Founder and CEO seized the moment and created an exciting new fruit based snack that packs a WOW! Introducing Piña Picante, a Spanish term for “spicy pineapple ”

ulations and anyone who is seeking a healthier, clean ingredient snack with a bold and robust flavor profile

enjoys

Origins

greens

be paired

and

ations.

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has been growing the finest quality m i c r o g r e e n s f o r over 20 years Its year round mild and sunny weather is the ideal environ

Many microgreen growers use indoor growing methods under artificial light i n g , w h i c h r e s u l t i n s m a l l l e a v e s , stringy and pale stems, less flavor and a s h o r t s h e l f l i f e .

T h a t ’ s w h y F r e s h

Origins’ crops are H o n e s t l y G r o w n ™ and nurtured on a real farm in large, a i r y g r e e n h o u s e s under natural sun shine

F r e s h O r i g i n s u n d e r s t a n d s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f p r o v i d i n g r e l i a b l e a n d c o n s i s t e n t q u a l i t y p r o d u c t s t o c u s t o m e r s T h i s

Piña Picante is made from premium p i n e a p p l e s f r o m C o s t a R i c a , i n f u s e d ( u s i n g p r o p r i e t a r y t e c h n o l o g y ) w i t h original flavor recipes, air dried to per fection to create a unique dried pineap ple snack that is bold, sweet and spicy Piña Picante comes in three unique fla vors: Chili Lime (chili peppers, lime and sea salt), Ginger Lime (ginger, lime and s e a s a l t ) , a n d C o c o C h i l i T a m a r i n d o (coconut, chili peppers, tamarind and sea salt) This is the first new product line from Crispy Green since Crispy Fruit was introduced in 2004, so the compa ny is very excited to expand our better for you snack footprint Piña Picante is targeted to Gen Z, growing ethnic pop

l o y a l t o i t s p r o d u c t s a s t h e c o m p a n y c o n t i n u e s t o p r o v i d e c o n s i s t e n t a n d h i g h q u a l i t y m i c r o g r e e n s a n d e d i b l e f l o w e r s t h a t h a v e a m a z i n g s h e l f l i f e a n d f l a v o r .

Fresh Origins’ goal is to continue inspiring chefs and mixologists every where to stay creative and continue their craft It has a wide range of prod ucts that range in color and flavor that can be included in every type of cuisine, holiday or celebration Fresh Origins products are perfect for chefs who are getting creative with take out orders and continuing to impress their cus tomer base.

Unlike our Crispy Fruit line, which due to the freeze drying results in a crispy texture that snacks like a chip, Piña Picante is air dried, producing a chewy texture Both lines start with pure fruit, but Piña Picante packs a punch with the additional spices and natural ingredients listed above Both lines have no added sugar, are non GMO, gluten free, vegan and kosher With our Crispy Fruit snacks leading the freeze dried category as the #1 FDF snack in the country, we are hopeful our new Piña Picante line will catch on to those seeking a little more adventure and unique flavor combinations to sat isfy their snack craving

With minimal distribution, we are already gaining some powerful feed back and insights as we continue exe cuting our strategy to broaden aware ness and expand our retail presence in the coming year. Muy Zinga!

For more information, visit booth #1704, g o t o w w

a i l cherie@crispygreen com

(GFSI) It is committed to doing its part to protect public health and provide safe, wholesome and delicious micro greens, edible flowers and all its unique products to you and your customers. F r e s h O r i g i n s p a y s s p e c i a l c a r e a n d attention to its harvesting and packing process to provide you with the most beautiful and pristine products within 24 hours, nationwide

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Fresh Origins follows the highest level of food safety guidelines and is t h i r d p a r t y c e r t i f i

under the Global Food Safety Initiative

T o f i n d o u t m o r e a b o u t F r e s h O r i g i n s ’ p r o d u c t s a n d h o w t o g e t t h e m d e l i v e r e d t o y o u , v i s i t w w w f r e s h o r i g i n s c o m T h e c o m p a n y w o r k s w i t h s e v e r a l o n l i n e d i s t r i b u t o r s t h a t a r e a b l e t o s h i p p r o d u c t s t o y o u o v e r n i g h t .

Fresh-Cut Flowers, Bouquets and Floral Arrangements

The USA Bouquet Company is a leading d i s t r i b u t o r a n d s u p p l i e r o f s u p e r i o r fresh cut flowers, bouquets and floral arrangements for multiple retailers and floral e tailers in the United States. It is recognized as the gold standard in per ishable distribution and logistics within the industry

The USA Bouquet Company joined Dutch Flower Group in 2018 Dutch Flower Group is a family of over 30 spe cialized trading companies operating globally to bring their customers the b e s t f l o r a l p r o d ucts the world has to offer This part n e r s h i p a l s o enhances individ ual expertise and r e s u l t s i n h i g h e r quality standards and service that benefits all customers

The USA Bouquet Company has seven locations throughout the United States. It offers a variety of services from each of its facilities and customizes pro grams to meet customer needs Each of its facilities complies with Floralife and Chrysal standards in the areas of tem perature, water quality, product han dling and quality control procedures

The USA Bouquet Company is the largest bouquet manufacturer that pro duces the majority of its bouquets in the United States. Sourcing the best class of flowers worldwide and domes t i c a l l y a l l o w s T h e U S A B o u q u e t Company to offer the widest variety p o s s i b l e I t s c o n t i n u i n g s u p p o r t o f domestic flower growers and domesti cally manufactured products is the very essence of its name The use of domes tically grown flowers reduces the over all carbon footprint of The USA Bouquet

C o m p a n y ’ s b o u q u e t s a n d a r r a n g e ments This domestic production sup ports local communities and helps keep

A m e r i c a n s e m p l o y e d . U S A B o u q u e t s o u r c e s h u n d r e d s o f m i l l i o n s s t e m s annually and designs them in unique bouquets and arrangements USABQ helps create consumer demand with unique arrangements, bouquets, and bunches

T h e U S A B o u q u e t C o m p a n y ’ s design team is constantly searching for i n n o v a t i v e a n d c r e a t i v e i d e a s T h i s

a l l o w s i t t o p r o v i d e unique products that m e e t c o n s u m e r d e m a n d , a s w e l l a s meet retail partners’ sales and profit objec

t i v e s

B

Michigan Apples May Help Prevent Diabetes

By Shari Steinbach, MS, RDN

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arrangements and exquisite affordable wedding collections.

The USA Bouquet Company has partnered with growers that are both environmentally friendly in their grow ing practices as well as socially respon sible in the treatment of their workers Its growers meet a stringent sourcing protocol and adhere to a global certifi c a t i

l f l o w e r s g r o w n a n d h a r v e s t e d m e e t s p e c i f i c s o c i a l a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l s t a n d a r d s

The USA Bouquet Company promotes participation in multiple certifications.

Whether you are in search of a pro motional item, logistical solution, or simply looking for the best variety of flowers, The USA Bouquet Company is your ideal source of fresh cut flowers and other industry related services

For more information, visit booth #4133

Onion Supplies Without a Gap!

When Michael Cutler began to focus on marketing onions and left behind other commodities, he was ready to tackle the challenge of being a unique suppli e r o f a y e a r r o u n d o n i o n p r o g r a m Onions are supplied by a rotation of var ious growing regions within the United States to offer a steady s t r e a m o f s u p p l i e s C u t l e r u n d e r s t o o d early on that to be the t o p p l a y e r i n o n i o n supply, he needed to secure this year round p r o g r a m w i t h o u t a n y gaps in product. This w o u l d s u p p o r t h i s dream of being relied on as a single company for onions with out having to switch multiple times throughout the year in different grow ing regions Cutler has always been focused on being the best, offering top

quality in every product he delivers, and so fulfilling this dream required a strong strategy, a long term plan, and stellar partnerships

Michael Cutler initiated this pro g r a m b y c o o r d i n a t i n g w i t h g r o w e r s across the nation, gaining his footprint by investing with the grower to partner up in the risky busi n e s s o f t a c k l i n g m o t h e r nature, and to show the farmer that he was serious about his i n t e n t i o n s C u t l e r g o t e v e n more serious by developing his own labels to brand his product for consumer recogni tion and to provide a top qual ity product he and his team are proud of All of this allowed Michael Cutler Company to offer a year round yellow, red and white program, as well as its premier OSO Sweet onion label

Just about everyone knows a family member or friend whose life has been a f f e c t e d b y d i a b e t e s o r p r e d i a b e t e s (elevated blood sugar levels) and it’s no surprise since millions of people world wide are diagnosed with this disease According to the Centers for Disease Control, almost 34% of U.S. adults aged 18 years or older and nearly half (48.3%) of adults aged 65 years or older have prediabetes and most of these people m a y n o t e v e n k n o w t h e y h a v e i t Making key lifestyle changes, you can significantly reduce your risk Here are six steps you can take to lower your risk of getting diabetes

1. Manage your weight. Although not everyone who develops type 2 dia betes is overweight, the majority is. Losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce this risk One important component of any weight loss plan is the inclusion of more low calorie, nutri ent rich fruits and vegetables Michigan Apples, for example, are a rich source of v i t a m i n s , m i n e r a l s , f i b e r a n d p h y t o chemicals all in a portable and filling 90 calorie package

2. Be physically active. Physical activity helps with weight management and may reduce insulin resistance and blood sugar in overweight and predia betic adults Look at ways that you can simply move more throughout your day Walk the dog, park farther out from the grocery store and take the stairs when available it all adds up!

3. Think about what you drink. Sticking with water most of the time

Peru, Texas; New Mexico; New York and C a l i f o r n i a t o o f f e r s w e e t o n i o n s 1 2 months out of the year

Cutler makes sure that the grocery shelf contains a strong supply of mild s w e e t

i

t

prefers to reach for Supporting him, Cutler has a dedicated team consisting of grower relation specialists, quality monitors, food safety specialists, mar

helps you avoid high caloric beverages that are high in sugar Unsweetened coffee and tea may also provide some benefits Studies have reported that drinking coffee on a daily basis reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes

4 . A v o i d p o r t i o n d i s t o r t i o n . Avoiding oversized portions can help reduce insulin and blood sugar levels as well as aid your weight loss efforts. Make portion control easy by keeping some individual, better for you frozen meals on hand along with fresh fruit s u c h a s M i c h i g a n A p p l e s t h e y ’ r e already perfectly portioned

5. Consume more fiber. Most peo ple do not consume the recommended amount of fiber, which is approximately 25 grams per day One Michigan apple has about 4.5 grams of fiber, which helps promote fullness and slows down digestion and thus the rise in blood sugar The soluble fiber in apples also helps lower cholesterol

6 . E a t m o r e M i c h i g a n A p p l e s !

A p p l e s h a v e b e e n d e m o n s t r a t e d t o lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and h e r e ’ s w h y A p p l e s h a v e a m i n i m a l effect on blood sugar levels and are unlikely to cause rapid spikes in blood sugar, even in diabetics. The polyphe nols in apples, which are found primari ly in apple skin, may improve insulin s e n s i t i v i t y a n d r e d u c e i n s u l i n r e s i s t a n c e T h e a n t i o x i d a n t s i n M i c h i g a n

Apples may help reduce your risk of dia betes and help keep blood sugar level stable

For more information, visit booth #3163 or go to www.michiganapples.com.

providers, and of course, strategic part ners in growing Cutler’s teams are out in the field, visiting the packing sheds and inspecting the onions, as part of his commitment to the customer to always deliver high quality and the best prod uct throughout the year

Planet Superfood: Plant-Based Protein Revolution

Planet Superfood’s outlook is as simple as it gets the company creates prod ucts that it loves to consume and share This is the meaning of its daily work and creativity

The Planet Superfood story started with a surprise what an extraordinary plant industrial hemp is! A tiny seed accommodates a vast nutritional value, the whole plant can be used in produc tion, and leftover parts can be used as a

natural fertilizer. It all began with hemp Planet Superfood started producing oil, seeds and protein powder Its pro d u c t i o n c a p a c i t y e x p a n d e d f r o m E u r o p e t o C a n a d a a n d s o d i d i t s approach to healthy and holistic nutri tion Planet Superfood started creating modern and easy to consume products protein bars, cocktails and a variety of snacks The process of discovering sur prising natural ingredients intensified.

Mexican Food Brand Finds Its Edge with Eye-Catching Cartons

For more than 70 years, La Preferida has been known as “The Preferred” name for authentic Mexican ingredients, and for good reason. A customer first phi losophy and drive to innovate h a s h e l p e d t h e f a m i l y b r a n d c o m p e t e a g a i n s t c o r p o r a t e giants for decades

I n t h e m i d s t o f t h e e c o friendly movement, the compa ny has taken a turn from tradi tional aluminum cans to a pack age typically reserved for soups and broths Tetra Recart®.

The initial launch will include red

Michael Cutler Company (Cont’d from p 1)

be made due to increased costs, delay in supplies and competition for raw materials These challenges have had a snowball effect due to adaptability in consistency, reliability and giving ven dors peace of mind However, Michael Cutler thrives on a challenging market Michael Cutler Company provides a m u l t i t u d e o f s e r v i c e s u n d e r o n e umbrella to its customers. It is a grower, packer and shipper of fresh produce

Guan’s Mushroom (Cont’d from p 1)

school and I would help out by folding boxes with my brother When I got older, I was able to help out more with i n v e n t o r y a n d u n l o a d i n g c o n t a i n e r s . When I go back to the old Fremont warehouse, there are employees there that have seen me grow up for the past 20 years After graduating college, I came back to work for the company and now help manage our East Coast operations

and green enchilada sauce, both USDA certified organic and gluten free.

Crafted by a corporate chef, these enchilada sauces highlight fresh and i n v i t i n g i n g r e d i e n t s l i k e o r g a n i c tomatillos, green chiles, jalapeños and

nationwide Michael Cutler Company markets predominately fresh onions to retailers, wholesalers and foodservice distributors. As a growing partner, the company commits to grow and harvest top quality produce by investing in the land and seed Michael Cutler Company is proud as a packer and shipper, know ing it has touched and put its hands on every onion that went out to customers It delivers exceptional quality because a t M i c h a e l C u t l e r C o m p a n y , “ I t ’ s a l l about Performance,” and the company

JG: My official title is business develop ment, but that encompasses several dif ferent roles One of my main focuses is expanding Guan’s business into retail and grocery stores. I have several retail accounts both on the East and West Coast and work to maintain as well as develop new products that suit each store

P&FSD: What are some of your most popular retail products?

J G : O n e o f o u r m o s t p o p u l

u r M u s

P l a n e t S u p e r f o o d f o l l o w s s t r i c t rules while combining various fruits and plants that are considered superfoods:

• All products are 100 % plant based

• Planet Superfood does not use gluten and added sugar

• Planet Superfood does not use artifi cial flavorings, preservatives and genet ically modified ingredients

• P r o d u c t i o n p r o c e s s e s i n P l a n e t

S u p e r f o o d w o r k s h o p s m e e t r e q u i r e ments for bio and kosher foods it is AA rated by BRC Global food safety certi fication that represents the most impor tant worldwide recognition in the mar ket

• Planet Superfood uses a unique pas teurization method Log5 that is the highest food safety standard

• W h e n c r e a t i n g r e c i p e s , P l a n e t Superfood strives for every ingredient to strengthen the effect of others.

• Planet Superfood never compromises taste healthy can be tasty!

roasted peppers Both varieties are mild in flavor and infused with an array of spices like cumin and garlic In place of traditional flour, organic ground yellow corn masa flour is used as a gluten free alternative

W i t h s h e l f s p a c e a t a p r e m i u m , Tetra Recart serves as a multi function r e t a i l s o l u t i o n . D u e t o t h e c o m p a c t nature and “always forward facing” packaging, retailers can expect an improvement i n r e s t o c k t i m e b y u p t o 30% Cartons can hold up to 4 2 % m o r e p r o d u c t c o m pared to other containers It also has the lowest package weight (at 56 g), which can minimize environmental taxes and fees during transportation.

stands behind every package that bears its name.

Michael Cutler has been in the pro duce industry for three generations, fol lowing in the footsteps of his father and grandfather Michael’s intuition, business acumen and calculated risk taking has allowed the company to grow and strengthen partnerships His reputation in the business speaks for itself Michael has more than 54 years of selling, strate gizing, and financing programs This has allowed the company to maintain a

m u s h r o o m s p a c k a g e d t o g e t h e r w i t h a s i m p l e r e c i p e o n t h e b a c k W e l a b e l e a c h b l e n d s o c o n s u m e r s k n o w e x a c t l y h o w t o u s e t h e b l e n d O u r m o s t p o p u l a r b l e n d s a r e t h e B B Q B l e n d , P a s t a B l e n d , P r o t e i n B l e n d a n d S t i r f r y B l e n d . W e a l s o d e v e l o p s p e c i f i c b l e n d s f o r c e r t a i n d e m o g r a p h i c s b a s e d o n t h e r e t a i l e r ’ s s p e c i f i c n e e d s F o r e x a m p l e , w e c r e a t e d a S h a b u B l e n d f o r J a p a n e s e g r o c e r y s t o r e s a n d h a v e s e e n t r e m e n d o u s s u c c e s s w i t h i t

P&FSD: Have you noticed any trends or changes in the mushroom section on

T o d a y o n t h e m a r k e t y o u c a n f i n d

Planet Superfood’s:

• d i f f e r e n t f l a v o r o r g a n i c p o w d e r e d d r i n k m i x e s ( D e t o x , S l i m m i n g , B r a i n Boost, Hunger Control, Immunity Boost)

• keto protein bars (Sports Recovery, Slimming, Hunger Control)

• organic protein powders (Strength & B e a u t y S u p p o r t , D e t o x S u p p o r t , Slimming Support)

• k e t o s n a c k s ( S a l t e d C a r a m e l , Strawberry, Barbeque, Vegan Cheese)

• organic super seed mix (Dark Chocolate & “Superberries,” Savoury Onion, Energy Booster, Strength & Beauty)

• organic super oils blend (Avocado & H

Seed infused with Mint, Hemp Seed infused with Chili, Hemp Seed infused with Garlic)

superfood revolution and make healthy delicious again!

Tetra Recart has been a mainstay o n r e t a i l s h e l v e s a c r o s s E u r o p e a n d Latin America, but has yet to reach its full potential in the United States That’s why La Preferida is excited to launch t h i s f i r s t o f i t s k i n d o r g a n i c p r o d u c t here in the United States with plans to expand into other product categories

Additionally, La Preferida will also be introducing an organic version of their top selling boxed Spanish Rice. Ready in less than 20 minutes, the rice will feature traditional Latin flavors like c i l a n t r o , a n n a t t o , c u m i n , t o m a t o e s , a n d b e l l p e p p e r s M a d e w i t h 1 0 0 % long grain rice and vegan/vegetarian friendly!

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o www.lapreferida.com.

robust infrastructure Michael’s children Andrea, Cyndi and Philip have joined him to carry the torch into the next gen eration. This has gifted the company to strengthen collective trade by expanding offerings in the produce industry They have big shoes to fill, but have stepped into leadership positions to propel the company into the fourth generation

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o w w w . m i c h a e l c u t l e r c o . c o m o r c a l l 800.258.6646.

retail?

JG: Yes, I have If you went to a grocery store 10 years ago, the mushroom sec tion would have only three items: white button, crimini, and portabella. Fast for ward to today, we are beginning to see so much more variety in grocery stores Shiitake and oyster can be found in most grocery stores while some more have begun to carry more exotic varieties such as white beech, maitake and king oyster

For more information, visit booth #4848, g o t o w w w g u a n s m u s h r o o m c o m o r email info@guansmushroom.com.

FDMR (Cont’d. from p. 1)

i

p o r t a n t l y , t a s t e s l i k e r e a l b a c o n , ” says FDMR founder and chief inspira tional officer Suji Park.

Developed in the Netherlands (“the Silicon Valley of plant based protein”), the product was created specifically for meat eaters who want a healthier, more Earth friendly alternative to pork bacon but don’t want to sacrifice taste or texture, says Park “So when our consumer panelists told us they couldn’t believe this wasn’t real bacon, we knew we had a winner.”

RED Bacon has more to offer than just real bacon taste As the first fully

Suzanne’s Specialties (Cont’d. from p. 1)

syrups This unique product contains less than 10 ppb for arsenic and lead, meeting the FDA standard for drinking water It is available in all DE levels

The company packs its industrial products in pails, drums, totes and tank wagons. All products are available in organic with most having a conventional

Once Again Nut Butter (Cont’d. from p. 1)

Project Verified, and part of the brand’s Honest in Trade program

Offering a wholesome twist on a snack time favorite, the graham crack ers possess all the sweet, kid friendly taste of their conventional counterparts but are made with a wholesome blend of organic sorghum flour, organic oat flour and organic cassava flour. Crafted in small batches at an SQF certified bak

Nature’s Fusions (Cont’d from p 1)

line as NEURO NAC™ NACET is like NAC (N Acetyl L Cysteine) only much better!

Y o u h a v e p r o b a b l y h e a r d o f N A C because it is the precursor to the pow erful antioxidant glutathione. NAC is also used in hospitals to treat acetamin ophen overdose

H o w e v e r , N A C E T i s m u c h m o r e effective than traditional NAC NACET is the esterified version of NAC that has

Mooney Farms (Cont’d from p 4)

company launches its new Bella Sun Luci’s Sun Dried Tomato Tuscan Rub, c r a f t e d w i t h r e a l s u n d r i e d t o m a t o powder made from tomatoes harvest ed and dried under the California sun The new Tuscan Rub packs a big flavor you cannot get from any other season ing! Just coat your veggies with olive oil and shake on the rich flavor of Italy. This all purpose low sodium blend is MSG free and features real sun dried tomato, garlic, and onion Designed to s t a n d o u t f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l I t a l i a n

cooked plant based bacon to hit the market, it’s much more convenient than competing products In fact, says Park, consumers can warm and serve the product in less than a minute If they like their plant based bacon crispy, they can grill it, creating a crunchy texture that normally requires double cooking

While retailers are eager to offer shoppers a first to market product, Park s a y s f o o d s e r v i c e o p e r a t o r s a r e e v e n more excited for RED Bacon’s debut “Plant based bacon can’t be prepared on the same griddle as animal bacon due to the risk of cross contamination,” making it difficult for fast food chains to

version as well Suzanne’s promises that all of its products are made with only the highest quality organic and all natural ingredients Each one is sure to give your formulas and applications “Sweetness the Way Mother Nature Intended™ ” Suzanne's Specialties also provides a n e x t e n s i v e l i n e o f r e t a i l p r o d u c t s .

T h e s e i n c l u d e i t s b e s t s e l l i n g Ricemellow Crème, rice syrup based

e r y , t h e c r a c k e r s a r e f i l l e d w i t h d r y roasted blanched organic peanuts or dry roasted organic sunflower seeds milled to creamy perfection The clean ingredient products utilize RSPO certi fied palm oil to stabilize the spreads and are made with sustainably sourced cane sugar. A classic cracker divider cre ates two sandwiches in each package Shared Gael J B Orr, Director of Marketing at Once Again Nut Butter, “Our nut and seed butters have always

gone through a change that makes it 1000% more absorbable Not only is the ethyl ester version much more bioavail able than NAC, but it is also able to bypass the stomach, go directly into the bloodstream, and cross the blood brain barrier NACET has the unique ability to protect against oxidative damage while being transported to the entire body via red blood cells

O n c e i n s i d e t h e c e l l , N A C E T i s t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o N A C , c y s t e i n e a n d

Seasoning with ingredients that give your vegetables or pizzas a caramelized f i n i s h b e c a u s e o f t h e n a t u r a l s u g a r found in tomatoes

About Mooney Farms & Bella Sun Luci

F o u n d e d i n 1 9 8 6 , M o o n e y F a r m s i s a t h i r d g e n e r a t i o n , c e r t i f i e d w o m a n o w n e d , f a m i l y c o m p a n y r o o t e d i n q u a l i t y , i n t e g r i t y , a n d f a m i l y v a l u e s t h a t h a s g r o w n t o b e t h e p r e m i e r p r o d u c e r o f s u n d r i e d t o m a t o e s i n o l i v e o i l i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . B a s e d i n C h i c o , C a l i f o r n i a , M o o n e y F a r m s h a s a 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 s q u a r e f o o t f a c i l i t y a n d 2 0 0

add it to the menu, she explains. But because RED Bacon is already cooked, it can go directly into a warmer and onto a breakfast sandwich or plant based burger no grill required As a result, “The initial response we’ve gotten from foodservice is ‘Wow! This is a real game changer,’” says Park

RED Bacon is expected to hit gro cers’ shelves in Q1, but FDMR plans a f u l l l i n e o f p l a n t b a s e d p r o t e i n s f o r meat lovers, starting with deli sliced ham and turkey, hot dogs and chicken breasts While there are plenty of meat less burgers and nuggets out there, she believes other categories are ripe for

fruit spreads, flavored rice syrups and traditional offerings such as organic molasses, organic agave syrup, organic honey and organic rice syrup Pack sizes on its retail line range from jars to gal lons to tubs to pails

Suzanne's can service the needs of a household, restaurant, small bakery o

specialties

for more information

been an excellent ingredient choice for creating plant based snacks, so we couldn’t be more excited to introduce these ready to enjoy graham cracker sandwiches to market Until now, there have been no sandwich crackers that are both organic and gluten free certified. Designed to appeal to all ages, the portable snacks can be eaten straight off the shelf, no peanut butter stirring or sunflower butter spreading needed, and they’re surprisingly filling and tasty ”

u l t i m a t e l y g l u t a t h i o n e G l u t a t h i o n e i s k e y f o r b u i l d i n g a n d r e p a i r i n g t i s s u e s A s a p o w e r f u l a n t i o x i d a n t , g l u t a t h i o n e p r e v e n t s o x i d a t i v e d a m a g e a n d s u p p o r t s o p t i m a l c e l l u l a r h e a l t h f o r t h e b r a i n , h e a r t , l u n g s a n d a l l o t h e r o r g a n s a n d t i s s u e s J u s t l i k e t h e b r o w n i n g o f a n a p p l e e x p o s e d t o a i r , o x y g e n e x p o s u r e t o i n d i v i d u a l c e l l s s t a r t s t h e b r e a k d o w n p r o c e s s A n t i o x i d a n t s p r o t e c t o u r c e l l s f r o m d e t e r i o r a t i o n d u e t o o x i d a t i v e d a m

y e a r o l d o l i v e t r e e s p l a n t e d a m o n g r o w s o f l a v e n d e r a n d r o s e m a r y , w h i c h r e f l e c t s t h e f a m i l y ’ s r i c h h i s t o r y i n t h e M e d i t e r r a n e a n I t s f l a g s h i p p r o d u c t l i n e , B e l l a S u n L u c i , f e a t u r e s p r e m i u m C a l i f o r n i a g r o w n a n d M e d i t e r r a n e a n i n s p i r e d f o o d s c r e a t e d f r o m a u t h e n t i c f a m i l y r e c i p e s T h e B e l l a S u n L u c i l i n e i s b e s t k n o w n f o r S u n D r i e d T o m a t o e s a n d S u n D r i e d T o m a t o e s i n O l i v e O i l w i t h a d i s t i n c t i v e l y f r e s h a n d s w e e t f l a v o r f r o m b e i n g d r i e d u n d e r t h e C a l i f o r n i a s u n a n d a l w a y s p a c k e d i n 1 0 0 % o l i v e o i l T h e y a d d a u t h e n t i c M e d i t e r r a n e a n

innovation.

Staying ahead of food industry trends is nothing new for Park and company, who were using sous vide cooking tech niques 15 years ago and high pressure processing 10 years ago long before the rest of the industry got on board “So jumping into the next generation of plant based meats is a natural next step for FDMR,” she says. “We pride ourselves on being first to adopt innovative new tech nologies Fully cooked porkless bacon is just the beginning for RED Meatless line ”

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , e m a i l s a l e s @ redmeatless com

on these products or to shop in its easy to use online store

With distribution facilities on both the East and West Coasts and a diverse product line, Suzanne's Specialties has the ability to service your company’s specific needs

F o

m

, g o t o www suzannes specialties com

o

Once Again’s new graham cracker sandwiches are available for retailers nationwide to carry for an SRP of $1 69 $1 89 or $13 52 $15 12 per retail box of eight The sunflower butter sandwich crackers were recently selected as a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2022 Healthy Snack Awards.

For more information, go to www once againnutbutter com, call 888 800 8075 or email gorr@onceagainnutbutter com

a g e O u r b o d y n a t u r a l l y c o n v e r t s c y s t e i n e i n t o g l u t a t h i o n e , b u t t h e b o d y h a s a l i m i t e d s u p p l y a n d t y p i c a l l y r u n s o u t . N E U R O N A C i s s u c h a n e f f e c t i v e s u p p l e m e n t , i t s u p p l i e s t h e b o d y w i t h m o r e c y s t e i n e s o t h a t i t c a n b e c o n v e r t e d t o g l u t a t h i o n e t o p r o m o t e o p t i m a l h e a l t h

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o www naturesfusions com

f l a v o r t o h o m e m a d e a p p e t i z e r s , s a l a d s , s a n d w i c h e s , p i z z a s , p a s t a , a n d m o r e . T h e B e l l a S u n L u c i l i n e a l s o i n c l u d e s n e w 1 0 0 % O l i v e O i l S a l a d D r e s s i n g s , P l a n t B a s e d T o m a t o J e r k y , T u s c a n R u b S p i c e , P a s t a S a u c e s , B r u s c h e t t a S p r e a d s , B o t t l e d E x t r a V i r g i n O l i v e O i l , R i s o t t o a n d M a r i n a d e s

Americold (Cont’d from p 4)

folio of services to apply to your prod ucts while they transit from the ports and into Americold’s care: cold treat ment, fumigation, regulatory inspec tion support, visual grading and inspec tions, automated optical grading, ripen

ing, repacking, labeling, reconditioning or something more custom Americold even has a national refrigerated LTL consolidation transportation program

Using Americold’s vertically inte grated services will simplify your supply

chain and give you back valuable time to focus on your core business

For more information, visit booth #4761, go to www americold com, call 888 808 4877, or email info@americold.com.

For more information, visit booth #2232, e m a i l s a l e s @ m o o n e y f a r m s . c o m , g o t o w w w . b e l l a s u n l u c i . c o m , o r f o l l o w t h e company on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest at the ports of Philadelphia, Savannah, Houston and Los Angeles, and other facili ties close to eight other ports, too Americold offers an extensive port