Sweets & Treats Show Extra @ Sweets & Snacks Expo • May 2023

An interview with Ugur Altuntas, Chief Executive Officer, Sunco & Frenchie

GN: What is Sunco & Frenchie's primary focus, and how does it differentiate itself from competitors?

UA: Our primary focus is to provide our customers with high-quality dried fruits, nuts and seeds and granola We believe in using natural and non-GMO and organic ingredients in our products, which sets us a p a r t f r o m

c o m p e t i t o r s

W e ' r e d e d i -

c a t e d t o offering delic i o u s a n d h e a l t h y f o o d options that cater to various dietary preferences.

GN: Can you share more about your commitment to using natural and non-GMO ingredients in your products?

Continued on Page 22

Once Again Nut Butter is making its high-quality, sustainably sourced nut and seed butters super snackable with 100 percent 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 certified both organic and gluten-free They’re also vegan, Kosher Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and part of the brand’s Honest in Trade program

An interview with Greg Power, Chief Executive Officer, Las Olas Confections and Snacks

GN: Tell our readers about Las Olas Confections and Snacks

GP: Las Olas Confections and Snacks have been captivating and satisfying candy lovers for decades with its award-winning collection of world-famous confections We offer a tremendous variety of unique, handcrafted confections with extraordinary tropical flavors that stand out in our customers’ aisles, impacting their bottom line.

T r u e t o o u r p r o mi s e o f b r a n d g r o w t h t h r o u g h i n n o v a t i o n , e x c e l l e n c e a n d u n m a t c h e d d i s t i n ct i o n , w e a r e c o n t i n ua l l y c o m m i t t e d t o h a n d c r a f t i n g h i g h

on

Extra SWEETS

MAY 2023 Show &TREATS

Get In on the Fun with Just The Fun Part

BOOTH #11786

An interview with Aytur Aksu, President, Just The Fun Part

GN: Tell us a little about your company.

AA: Just The Fun Part is a brand by my company, E v e r G r e e n U S A , that I started after m o v i n g t o t h e United States from T u r k e y i n 2 0 0 7 . F r o m o u r h u m b l e b e g i n n i n g s a s a n olive oil company, we have expanded o u r g o u r m e t s p ecialty food line to cover nearly every c a t e g o r y o f t h e grocery department! Today, EverGreen USA has over 150 different gourmet food items. Just The Fun Part

Continued on Page 22

Sunco & Frenchie Offers Delicious & Healthy Options

An interview with Ugur Altuntas, Chief Executive Officer, Sunco & Frenchie

GN: What is Sunco & Frenchie's primary focus, and how does it differentiate itself from competitors?

UA: Our primary focus is to provide our customers with high-quality dried fruits, nuts and seeds and granola We believe in using natural and non-GMO and organic ingredients in our products, which sets us

a p a r t f r o m

c o m p e t i t o r s

W e ' r e d e d i -

c a t e d t o offering deli-

i o u s a n d h e a l t h y f o o d options that cater to various dietary preferences.

GN: Can you share more about your commitment to using natural and non-GMO ingredients in your products?

Continued on Page 22

The King of Snacks a Leading Manufacturer in the Industry

BOOTH #11702

By Brian Smenos, Vice President of Marketing, Snak King

Snak King has been a leading producer of quality snacks since 1978, featuring a diverse portfolio of product capabilities that is unparalleled in the industry today. From product development to packaging and logistics, expertly staffed R&D and sales teams are ready to serve your needs and capable of handling the highest capacity demands of a n y c u s t o m e r domestically.

S n a k K i n g has two high-volume production facilities strategically located in City of Industry, California and Freeport, Illinois with nearly 800 employees company wide. Both facilities feature state-of-the-art automation and robotics to ensure that products meet the highest standards and provide world class service.

Trust Snak King to bring your private brand opportunities to reality, whether it’s our wide range of tortilla

Continued on Page 20

First-to-Market Graham Cracker Sandwiches from Once Again

Once Again Nut Butter is making its high-quality, sustainably sourced nut and seed butters super snackable with 100 percent 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 certified both organic and gluten-free They’re also vegan, Kosher Certified, Non-GMO Project Verified and part of the brand’s Honest in Trade program

Live the Sweet Life with Darrell Lea

BOOTH #10210

Darrell Lea Brands remains the home of Premium Licorice and the only authentically Australian licorice in the United States. In the United States, Darrell Lea’s heritage has been built on licorice. In Australia, it is a m a r k e t l e a d e r a c r o s s t h e w i d e r c a n d y c a t e g o r y , including Chocolate Tablet, Chocolate Panning, Sugar Panning, Starch Mold, Sours and Seasonal. Darrell Lea is excited to introduce its wider candy offer to the U.S. m a r k e t , s t a r t i n g w i t h i t s u n i q u e , h i g h i n c l u s i o n Chocolate Tablets (available now) as well as Sours and C h o c o l a t e P a n n i n g ( a v a i lable now). All proven and m a r k e t - l e a d i n g S K U s a r e back in its Australian market.

Darrell Lea is your go-to brand when seeking premiu m i z a t i o n t h a t p r o v i d e s unique differentiation. The brand is built on quality and a u t h e n t i c i t y , w i t h b e s t i n

Continued on Page 22

Las Olas’ Indulgences Deliver Thrill of Discovery in Every Bite

BOOTH #10874

An interview with Greg Power, Chief Executive Officer, Las Olas Confections and Snacks

GN: Tell our readers about Las Olas Confections and Snacks

GP: Las Olas Confections and Snacks have been captivating and satisfying candy lovers for decades with its award-winning collection of world-famous confections We offer a tremendous variety of unique, handcrafted confections with extraordinary tropical flavors that stand out in our customers’ aisles, impacting their bottom line.

T r u e t o o u r p r o mi s e o f b r a n d g r o w t h t h r o u g h i n n o v a t i o n , e x c e l l e n c e a n d u n m a t c h e d d i s t i n ct i o n , w e a r e c o n t i n ua l l y c o m m i t t e d t o h a n d c r a f t i n g h i g h

Continued on Page 22

Oser Communications Group

Escape from the Everyday with a Tropical Taste Sensation from Las Olas

Cheese Straws and Cookies from J&M Foods

J&M Foods proudly continues its family tradition and passion for good food by providing customers with some of the best tasting cheese straws and cookies in the market As a family-owned business operating for roughly three decades, J&M Foods is happy to bring a little joy to its customers’ eating experience

J&M Foods currently offers 21 varieties of cheese straws and cookies as well as additional seasonal offerings Working with various combinations of cheeses, chocolates, nuts, grains, fruits a n d s p i c e s , t h e r e ’ s n e v e r a d u l l moment at J&M Foods The products are great for everyday pleasure and make the perfect gift In addition, J&M Foods is always in the kitchen exploring new possibilities to tickle the taste buds and provide something new for its customers’ enjoyment

In keeping with its 100-year-old family recipe that inspired the great tasting Original Cheese Straws, J&M Foods is committed to maintaining its heritage of providing great products made from the finest ingredients available All of

i t s p r o d u c t s a r e t r a n s f a t f r e e a n d baked with care

J&M Foods’ latest creation and something it is very proud to add to the Janis & Melanie line of products comes in the f o r m o f a l a r g e , s o f t - b a k e d c o o k i e ( t h r e e i n c h e s i n d i a m e t e r ) T h e y ’ r e made with butter, whole egg and a w h o l e l o t o f l o v e V a r i e t i e s i n c l u d e C h o c o l a t e C h u n k , B r o w n i e a n d Oatmeal Cranberry Each carton contains eight 1-ounce cookies, which are individually wrapped Enjoy them with milk, coffee, tea, ice cream or by themselves anytime as a snack

J & M F o o d s e n j o y s b e i n g f l e x i b l e enough to handle all of its customers’ needs Located in a 32,000 square-foot facility residing on 21 acres, it has room to grow along with you, its customers Centrally located and nationally recognized, J&M Foods is an award-winning m a r k e t l e a d e r w i t h i n t h e s p e c i a l t y foods industry

For more information, call 800 264 2278 or go to www janis-melanie com

Sunday Night Foods Dessert Sauces

Rich, velvety, luxurious Made from the highest-quality ingredients on Earth, S u n d a y N i g h t F o o d s ’ a w a r d - w i n n i n g p r e m ium dessert sauces are pure chocolate ganache in a jar Using a classic F r e n c h t e c h n i q u e , S u n d a y N i g h t F o o d s makes each small batch with legendary Guittard chocolate and cocoa, cane sugar, fresh cream and butter, pure Nielsen-Massey vanilla and sea salt to create chocolate euphoria

Founder Eileen Gannon created the

brand so people can easily enjoy feeling comfort, care and kindness on any

d a y o f t h e w e e k

T h e c o m p a n y

w o r k s w i t h t h e

n a t i o n a l A l l i a n c e on Mental Illness in

t h e h o p e t h a t ,

t h r o u g h b a k i n g , everyone can stay present, find purpose and create joy within and around them

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 sundaynightfoods com

Las Olas Confections and Snacks delive r s o n i t s p r o m i s e o f h a n d c r a f t e d , award-winning confections The delic i o u s t r o p i c a l i n d u l g e n c e s f r o m

A n a s t a s i a C o n f e c t i o n s a n d C o c o n u t Island of celebrated coconut patties, taffy and unique layered snacks prov i d e u n p r e c e d e n t e d s e l l - t h r o u g h t o the mass and specialty confectionery markets

Las Olas’ entire portfolio aims to drive customer growth by its continual commitment to brand excellence, innovat i o n , u n p a r a l l e l e d d i s t i n c t i o n a n d extraordinary flavors Each brand delivers its consumers with an escape from the everyday with delectable moments filled with the taste of tropical paradise

Visit Las Olas’ Island Oasis at booth #10874 for a taste of paradise and learn

more about its remarkable selection a n d w h a t ’ s a h e a d f o r A n a s t a s i a C o n f e c t i o n s a n d C o c o n u t I s l a n d i n 2023

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t w w w l a s o l a s b r a n d s c o m , c a l l 4 0 7 8 1 6 9 9 4 4 o r stop by booth #10874

Schuman Cheese Cello

Simple Pleasures Trays

After winning a gold sofi award for its C e l l o C o p p e r K e t t l e S n a c k P a c k s , Schuman Cheese debuted a handful of p r o d u c t s l a s t y e a r , i n c l u d i n g C e l l o

Simple Pleasures Trays

Carefully curated by cheese experts, each Simple Pleasures tray includes a selection of premium Cello cheeses paired with delicious quality snacks that can be enjoyed separately or even bet-

ter together Simple Pleasures Trays are pre-portioned, ready to serve and made up of creative combinations of delicious flavors and textures that perfectly complement each other These trays can be served as an appetizer, or as part of the popular grazing table trend

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 schumancheese com

Unique Quality Products for Every Health Journey

W i t h a f a r m - t o - t a b l e m e n t a l i t y ,

Nature’s Earthly Choice® provides nutritious and quality foods to consumers

Hawaiian Host Introduces

Strawberries & Cream

H a w a i i a n H o s t ® i n t r o d u c e s i t s l a t e s t innovation within its iconic chocolate p o r t f o l i o – S t r a w b e r r i e s & C r e a m .

Crafted from creamy white chocolate, it is a delightful mix of sweet decadence and tart tang. This flavor combo will tantalize your taste buds and consumers agree. “Once you start, you can’t stop. This new flavor is so good!

I’m a dark chocolate person. But wow. T r y t h e s e ! ” s a i d c u s t o m e r L y n n o n HawaiianHost.com.

Strawberries & Cream is part of the Paradise Collection and comes in a 4o u n c e r e s e a l a b l e a n d p e g g e d b a g

Other flavors include Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Honey Milk Chocolate, Sea Salt Toffee, Toasted Coconut, Kona Coffee and Matcha

Aside from pan-coated macadamias, Hawaiian Host is known for its enrobed c o l l e c t i o n t h a t i n c l u d e s F o u n d e r ’ s

C o l l e c t i o n a n d A l o h a M a c s T h e

Founder's Collection features premium hand-selected whole macadamias that are double roasted and coated with s c r u m p t i o u s m i l k c h o c o l a t e F l a v o r s include Milk, Dark, White, Honey and Matcha AlohaMacs features the finest m a c a d a m i a s c o a t e d i n s i l k y , h a n dcrafted milk and dark chocolate For all

t h e c a r a m e l l o v e r s , M a u i C a r a m a c s combines rich, buttery caramel with dry-roasted macadamias, covered in s m o o t h m i l k c h o c o l a t e . I t ’ s a c u l tfavorite! Hawaiian Host also introduced its Flavors of Aloha Bars last year with five island-inspired flavors including S u r f e r ’ s B r e a k f a s t , I s l a n d B o u n t y , Tropical Sunrise Swirl, Rocky Road to Paradise and Pau Hana.

About Hawaiian Host H a w a i i a n H o s t h a s b e e n m a k i n g t h e o r i g i n a l c h o c o l a t e c o v e r e d macadamia for over 95 years What started as an attic experiment in Maui grew into the beloved Hawaii-based confectionery brand that it is today Founder Mamoru Takitani’s dream of creating a world-famous candy came true thanks to his pioneering spirit and e n v i a b l e t e n a c i t y H e a d q u a r t e r e d i n Honolulu, Hawaiian Host spreads the spirit of the Islands throughout the globe via its wide assortment of premiu m c h o c o l a t e a n d m a c a d a m i a n u t selections

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 h a w a i i a n h o s t g r o u p c o m o r s t o p b y booth# 11119

Alternative Sweeteners from Suzanne’s Specialties

Suzanne’s Specialties has been supplyi n g a l t e r n a t i v e s w e e t e n e r s t o t h e health food and industrial food markets 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, i n v e r t s y r u p s , m o l a s s e s , h o n e y , r i c e milk powder and coconut sugar and syrup The company also has the ability

to make custom blends and sweetener systems

All of Suzanne’s Specialties industrial products have been verified by the Non-GMO Project S u z a n n e ’ s S p e c i a l t i e s o f f e r s a n I n f a n t S a f e ® v e r s i o n o f a l l o f i t s r i c e 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

Deeply rooted in the belief that healthy food is simple to prep a r e a n d t a s t e s great, the company continues to source and provide unique f o o d o p t i o n s T h e core items – convent i o n a l a n d o r g a n i c q u i n o a , c h i a a n d f a r r o – r e m a i n s t r o n g A l o n g w i t h f l a x , h e m p , l e n t i l s , b l a c k r i c e , microwaveables, bean pouches, superfood powders and more Theory of Kombucha® is a unique-to-market powdered kombucha that is convenient, tasty and good for you Vigilant Eats®, a b r e a k f a s t o p t i o n t h a t e l e v a t e s t h e

everyday oatmeal from good to gourmet, was relaunched with higher protein and lower sugar The newest addition is dripdash®, a Reimagined Craft C o f f e e b r e w 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 t h a t b r i n g s o u t t h e most delicate aromas and flavors in coffee resembling a 1600s Japanese b r e w i n g m e t h o d k n o w n a s K y o t o Iced Coffee

A health journey is never ending and always evolving, just as Nature’s Earthly Choice strives to be All while keeping it simple, healthy and delicious

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 earthlychoice com

Tortuga Tennessee Whiskey Spice Cake

Tortuga is a world-renowned brand that continues to lead the gourmet and spirit cakes category by heavily focusing on innovation and ensuring that its consumers are presented with innov a t i v e a n d n e w options.

T o r t u g a h a s b e e n d o i n g b u s in e s s w i t h t h e c r u i s e c h a n n e l , m a j o r b i g b o x r e t a i l e r s i n N o r t h A m e r i c a , d e p a r tment and grocery stores and the gifting sector for over 35 years. Given the company’s recent success with evolving from its world-famous rum cakes and creating a new cake with bourbon, t h e K e n t u c k y B o u r b o n B u t t e r C a k e , Tortuga continues to explore the spirits world.

F r o m t h i s e v o l u t i o n , T o r t u g a ’ s Southern Trio range was born, which

T h e c o m p a n y p a c k s i t s i n d u s t r i a l products in pails, drums, totes and tank wagons All products are available in organic with most available in a conventional version as well Suzanne’s promises that all of its products are made with only the highest quality o r g a n i c a n d a l l - n a t u r a l i n g r e d i e n t s

Each one is sure to give your formulas and applications “Sweetness the Way Mother Nature Intended™ ” Suzanne’s Specialties also provides a line of retail products These include f l a v o r e d r i c e s y r u p s a n d t r a d i t i o n a l offerings such as organic wildflower honey and organic rice syrup Pack

consists of Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake, Moonshine Apple Pie Cake and t h e n e w e s t a d d i t i o n , T e n n e s s e e Whiskey Spice Cake It is carefully crafted with Tennessee W h i s k e y ’ s r i c h a r o m a a n d c o mp l e x f l a v o r s a n d the distinct notes that emerge from the spices. All three f l a v o r s a r e a v a i la b l e i n t h e s t a nd a r d s i z e s – 4 ounces, 16 ounces and 32 ounces. T o r t u g a ’ s n e w s e l e c t i o n o f s p i r i t cakes are inspired b y A m e r i c a ’ s o l d e s t a n d t r a d i t i o n a l delectable recipes and give consumers the opportunity to experience unique flavors characterized by bold notes and magnificent richness.

For more information, call 786.817.6880 or go to www.tortugaimports.com.

sizes on its retail line range from jars to gallons to tubs to pails

Suzanne’s can service the needs of a household, restaurant, small bakery o r i n s t i t u t i o n V i s i t w w w s u z a n n e sspecialties com for more information 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 r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o www suzannes-specialties com

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

WIth suppliers all over

L a t i n A m e r i c a , B e l e n Trading has relations h i p s w i t h a l a r g e diversity of people and an even larger variety of products y e a r - r o u n d T h i s way, Belen Trading can guarantee customer satisfaction and become a dependable and reliable 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, papaya and mango The produce is 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 t o c o n d u c t q u a l i t y t e s t s r e g u l a r l y

Belen Trading prides itself on always

providing 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 p r o d u c e T h e s e f l o u r i s h i n g r e l ationships between suppliers and Belen Trading also have a positive impact on the economy of Latin American countries, a mission Belen Trading values greatly

Belen Trading aims to export tropical 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

Paesana – An Organic Sauce Like No Other

P a e s a n a ’ s P r e m i u m O r g a n i c P a s t a Sauces have all the delicious sautéedto-perfection flavor that’s been in the Scaramelli family since

1 9 0 2 A n d b e c a u s e t h e y ’ r e o r g a n i c , t h e s e n u t r i e n t - r i c h s a u c e s c o n t a i n o n l y q u a l i t y i n g r e d i e n t s i n c l u d i n g

1 0 0 p e r c e n t i m p o r t e d I t a l i a n t o m a t o e s , 1 0 0 p e r c e n t e x t r a v i r g i n olive oil, garlic, onions and spices that are slowk e t t l e c o o k e d F i n a l l y , t h e s a u c e i s j a r r e d a t peak freshness to seal in the flavors perfected over generations

Paesana puts the same care in labeling its jars as it does in preparing its sauces Discerning organic shoppers look for the USDA organic seal, which the company proudly displays on the front of its transparent labels Paesana is also happy to share that these sauces are gluten free, kosher certified and (with exception of its Vodka sauce)

Non-GMO Project Verified

Beyond the label, and for in-store convenience, the company has packed its jars in display-ready trays, which make for an attractive store end cap display This eye-catching store setup is u

p r o d u c t i t s e l f t h e p e r f e c t i n - s t o r e advertisement

While an attractive end cap display of O r g a n i c T o m a t o B a s i l o r Organic Vodka Sauce is an attention grabber, having s i x o r g a n i c v a r i e t i e s o nshelf to choose from would inspire a customer to grab a favorite or two Paesana’s most popular sauce flavor is Organic Tomato Basil, with its fragrant flavor of basil Organic Marinara has a traditional recipe reminiscent o f S u n d a y d i n n e r a t G r a n d m a ’ s T h e c r o w d favorite Organic Vodka sauce is made with organic heavy cream to achieve a r i c h a n d c r e a m y t e x t u r e P a e s a n a wouldn’t forget those who like a little kick; hence, the company offers Organic Fra Diavolo For those who crave a richer sauce, there is Organic Sicilian Gravy And garlic lovers can’t get enough of Paesana’s Organic Roasted Garlic sauce E a c h d e l i c i o u s v a r i e t y o f P a e s a n a Organic Pasta Sauce delivers a taste of the Italian countryside It’s an organic sauce like no other – full of flavor! For more information, go to www paesana com, email sales@paesana com or call 631 845 1717

Foodie Engineers His Own Career with Smoked Seasonings

Getting laid off from his Silicon Valley job might have been the best thing for Kirk Wells He had followed his father into the world of engineering, but then took the path of his mother, a baker, a l t h o u g h a l o n g a more savory route I n 2 0 1 4 , W e l l s decided he needed to create a smoker f o r s e a s o n i n g s , which he manufactured in his garage H i s s m o k e d s e asonings were soon i n h i g h d e m a n d f r o m h i s c i r c l e o f friends Eventually, h e s t a r t e d s e l l i n g h i s s e a s o n i n g s online and in farmers markets and built larger capacity smokers so he could produce his seasonings on a larger level Whiskey Oak Seasonings are created i n s m a l l b a t c h e s w i t h h i g h - q u a l i t y ingredients, Wells says, which takes meals to the next level The seasoning blends are slowly smoked using natural hardwoods

“This process creates a smokiness that will tease your palate and sense of smell,” says Wells, who posts blogs on his website with recipes “This smokiness is not intended to overwhelm your taste buds, but rather kick the flavors up a notch ” W h i s k e y O a k Seasonings come in six blends: Smoked Sugar, Smoked Salt, S m o k e d S t e a k , S m o k e d P o r k & P o u l t r y , S m o k e d Sea Salt, and Salty Sweet N’ Smokin’

The Whiskey Oak S a m p l e r a l l o w s cooks to try a little bit of each of these distinctive smoked seasonings

W h i s k e y O a k S e a s o n i n g s c o m p l ement savory (steak, roast, burger, chick, ribs, etc ) and sweet dishes and have a long shelf life

Whiskey Oak Seasonings are sold in all Northern California Whole Foods Market stores, select regional stores and online

Divine Chocolate Launches New Items and New Look for Holiday Portfolio

Divine Chocolate is the world’s first and only Fairtrade and B-Corp certified premium chocolate company that is coowned by cocoa farmers Driven by a m i s s i o n t o f i g h t e x p l o i t a t i o n i n t h e cocoa industry, Divine champions the needs of farmers to improve their lives and to build a sustainable and fair world

F o r H o l i d a y 2 0 2 3 , D i v i n e h a s launched new standup bags in milk

italizing on the sharing usage occasion and the No 1 flavor, respectively During the holidays, bags comprise o v e r 5 0 p e r c e n t o f h o l i d a y s a l e s Peppermint is a hugely popular flavor, growing more than 30 percent within Christmas Ethical Premium – peppermint white chocolate grew more than 77 percent

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

u n t i l t h e C h r i s t m a s h o l i d a y , ” s a i d T r o y

P e a r l e y , E x e c u t i v e V i c e P r e s i d e n t a n d

G e n e r a l M a n a g e r , N o r t h A m e r i c a o f

D i v i n e C h o c o l a t e “ W e k n o w m o r e c o n s u m e r s a r e l o o k i n g f o r F a i r t r a d e a n d e t h i c a l c h o c o l a t e ; D i v i n e ’ s n e w p o r t f o l i o s a t i s f i e s a l l C h r i s t m a s u s a g e o c c a s i o n s ”

fiers

All Divine Chocolate is made with F a i r t r a d e s u g a r a n d s i n g l e - o r i g i n Fairtrade cocoa beans grown by family farmers Its chocolate contains only natural flavors and ingredients, and no p a l m o i l , n o s o y a n d n o G M O s V e g e t a r i a n a n d v e g a n o p t i o n s a r e available

and dark chocolate and peppermint bars in white and dark chocolate, cap-

D i v i n e h a s r e d e s i g n e d i t s o v e r a l l h o l i d a y p o r t f o l i o , f e a t u r i n g i t s a d v e n t c a l e n d a r s a n d c o i n p a c k a g i n g i n b l u e a n d b l a c k t o a l i g n w i t h i t s m i l k a n d d a r k c h o c o l a t e c o l o r s c h e m e T h e n e w d e s i g n h i g h l i g h t s D i v i n e ’ s c o c o a f a r m e r c o - o w n e r s h i p a n d i t s c o m m i t m e n t t o f a i r l a b o r a n d s u s t a i n a b i li t y p r a c t i c e s “ W e ’ v e h a d a n o v e rw h e l m i n g l y p o s i t i v e r e s p o n s e f r o m b u y e r s w h o h a v e s e e n o u r n e w h o l i d a y d e s i g n a n d i t e m s I n 2 0 2 2 , C h r i s t m a s E t h i c a l P r e m i u m C h o c o l a t e g r e w m o r e t h a n 2 9 p e r c e n t , t w o t i m e s f a s t e r t h a n C h r i s t m a s P r e m i u m W i t h D i v i n e , r e t a i l e r s c a n l e v e r a g e t h e s a l e s

VestaEco Bags by Vesta Precision

The need for environmentally friendly solutions has boomed over the last decade Today, you can see electric cars driving on roadways, paper straws to r e p l a c e p l a s t i c o n e s when dining and an i n c r e a s e i n r e c y c l i n g c a m p a i g n s V e s t a Precision has realized the need to be ecofriendly in solving the s i n g l e - u s e p l a s t i c s i s s u e w i t h s t a n d a r d vacuum sealing, and it has made its stamp on t h e “ g r e e n ” m a r k e t with the VestaEco compostable vacuum seal bags

Compostable means being made of material, or organic substances, that easily break down over time and will be n o n - t o x i c t o t h e e n v i r o n m e n t

VestaEco bags are made from a proprietary PLA resin, food-grade tested and are BPA and phthalate free, which is an optimal choice when considering food storage Innovative to the vacuum sealing market, VestaEco bags are an ideal choice for your vacuum sealing needs, reducing the amount of plastics introduced into the solid waste stream as

they are commercially compostable –simply add them to your food waste for p r o c e s s i n g T h e b e n e f i t s o f u s i n g V e s t a E c o c o m p o s t a b l e b a g s i n c l u d e l e s s w a s t e b u i l d u p i n landfills and a reduction i n h a r m f u l g r e e n h o u s e gasses, helping to combat the issue of global warming

VestaEco compostable bags can be valuable to you and your business With all the features of s t a n d a r d v a c u u m s e a l b a g s , V e s t a E c o c o mpostable bags will preserve the life of y o u r f o o d w i t h o u t s a c r i f i c i n g t h e integrity of freshness, flavor or nutritional value The compostable bags are long-term freezer friendly, so freezer burn will be an issue of the past The c o m p a n y o f f e r s V e s t a E c o b a g s a n d rolls in an array of sizes and styles –embossed and flat – to work with both suction-style or chamber vacuum sealers

For more information, go to www vesta p r e c i s i o n c o m o r e m a i l s a l e s @ v e s t a precision com

As co-owners of Divine Chocolate, Kuapa Kokoo, a Fairtrade cocoa cooperative with over 100,000 members in Ghana, receives a portion of Divine’s distributable profits Farmers benefit from the Fairtrade Minimum Price, the Fairtrade Premium and Divine’s investment in farmer-led initiatives in adult l i t e r a c y a n d n u m e r a c y , l a b o r r i g h t s , gender empowerment and sustainable a g r i c u l t u r a l p r a c t i c e s t h a t e m p o w e r farmers and their families to thrive and prosper Divine is a multi-year honoree r e c o g n i z e d a s “ B e s t f o r t h e W o r l d :

Communities” by B-Corporation certi-

Available for purchase nationwide and online at divinechocolate com and Amazon, Divine Chocolate’s everyday offerings include sharing bars, organic bars, snack bars, a baking collection, cocoa powder and Crispy Thins

V i s i t D i v i n e C h o c o l a t e a t b o o t h #10769 For more information about Divine Chocolate and to learn how every Divine Chocolate product helps end exploitation in the cocoa industry, v i s i t w w w d i v i n e c h o c o l a t e c o m a n d follow the company @divinechocolateusa on Instagram

For more information, go to www divine chocolate com or stop by booth #10769

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread from Food For Life Baking Co.

Food For Life Baking Co , makers of the i n c r e d i b l y d e l i c i o u s a n d n u t r i t i o u s

Ezekiel 4:9® Sprouted Grain Bread, has been committed to the health of its customers since its inception over 50 years ago.

Among the many natural sprouted grain breads are its widely popular Ezekiel 4:9 and Genesis 1:29® breads, E n g l i s h m u f f i n s , t o r t i l l a s , b u n s a n d cereal. Sprouting maximizes digestibility and nutrition while lowering the glycemic index in its flourless bakery products.

Beyond the commitment to superior nutrition, there’s also a commitment to a balanced and protected pH in every loaf. Why is a balanced pH so important? Because Food For Life recognizes that a balanced pH is absolutely essential for optimum health. This is why Food For Life meticulously chooses its ingredients, and refuses to use acidify-

i n g a g e n t s s u c h a s c u l t u r e d w h e a t s t a r c h , v i n e g a r , c a l c i u m p r o p i o n a t e and ascorbic acid – all preservatives

As an amazing benefit of sprouting, grains actually become more alkaline a s w a t e r a n d o x y g e n s u p p o r t t h e growth of the new plant and naturally balances the pH While a balanced pH is great for health reasons, a higher pH does tend to shorten shelf life This is why the company primarily sells Food For Life breads frozen

Since its Ezekiel breads have become so popular, Food For Life is seeing m o r e c o m p e t i t o r s n o w r e l e a s i n g sprouted grain breads, though using acidifying agents like vinegar and cultured wheat starch to extend their shelf life Unfortunately, these ingredients lower the pH by increasing the acidity,

which Food For Life feels often defeats the purpose of sprouting in the first place To be a truly healthful product, Food For Life strongly believes in protecting the pH level of its sprouted grain bread, targeting a balanced pH.

Because of the company’s commitment to health, you can be assured that Ezekiel 4:9 Bread is the pinnacle of nutrition. By adding pure filtered water to certified organic grains, legumes and seeds, Food For Life is able to maxi m i z e n u t r i t i o n a n d d i g e s t i b i l i t y . Enzymes, like amylase and protease, are released naturally, helping to break down carbohydrates and protein, making them easier to digest while maxim i z i n g n u t r i t i o n a n d l o w e r i n g t h e glycemic index.

Food For Life’s slow baking technique means that every sprouted grain loaf is baked at lower temperatures to help preserve important natural vitam i n s a n d m i n e r a l s – n e v e r “ f l a s h browned,” which can often trap active yeast

Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 Bread is loaded with both important natural soluble and insoluble fiber to help your body function at its peak

A r e n ’ t a l l b r e a d s j u s t c a r b s ?

Amazingly, Food For Life Ezekiel 4:9 breads often contain just as much protein as the stuff you put on your sandwich, from all plant-based sources Ezekiel 4:9 Bread, made with 100 percent organic ingredients Your body and taste buds will know the difference! Check with your food distributor for the best options

For more information, email info@food forlife com or call 951 279 5090

New Look Tofutti Still Going Strong

F a n s o f T o f u t t i m i g h t h a v e n o t i c e d s o m e c h a n g e s r e c e n t l y I n A u g u s t

2 0 2 2 , t h e c o m p a n y , w h i c h b e g a n p r od u c i n g d a i r y - f r e e p r o d u c t s i n 1 9 8 1 ,

d e b u t e d b r a n d - n e w p a c k a g i n g T h i s w a s t h e f i r s t r e b r a n d t h a t T o f u t t i h a s

Over 125 Years of Coconut Product Excellence

Franklin Baker, Inc has been the prem i e r P h i l i p p i n e s u p p l i e r o f c o c o n u t ingredients to the global food and beverage marketplace for over 125 years The company’s products are produced from the freshest coconuts available at one of its three manufacturing facilities, where proprietary processing is utilized to ensure freshness and long shelf stability Franklin Baker maintains full control of the entire process from tree through shipment

Franklin Baker is ahead of the game i n p r o d u c t a n d p r o c e s s v e r i f i c a t i o n c a p a b i l i t i e s , o p e r a t i n g m i c r o b i o l o g y laboratories that are accredited to ISO 17025 standards Its pathogen detect i o n s y s t e m u s e s a n a u t o m a t e d method based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to detect the presence of salmonella and listeria in products and surfaces This technolo g y f o c u s e s o n s p e c i f i c D N A f r a gm e n t s , a m p l i f y i n g a t a r g e t D N A s e q u e n c e a n d s u b s e q u e n t p o l y m e rization This advanced system is more sensitive than other microbiological methods, detecting as low as one cell p e r 2 5 - o r 3 7 5 - g r a m p o r t i o n . T e s t results are available in less than 24 h o u r s c o m p a r e d t o m o r e t h a n f i v e days using conventional methods.

The manufacturing sites of Franklin Baker are Grade AA and AA+ BRCGS certified, which confirms the company’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, product quality and regulatory compliance.

T h e B R C G S G l o b a l F o o d S a f e t y Standard (BRCGS) is adopted by over 22,000 sites in more than 130 coun-

tries, which makes Franklin Baker “A

Cut Above the Rest ”

Franklin Baker’s extensive portfolio of coconut products hold wide-ranging third-party certifications and awards, including Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade USA, BRCGS, USDA, JAS, UE O r g a n i c , I S O 9 0 0 1 : 2 0 1 5 , I S O 22000:2018, ISO 17025, HACCP, FDA

P h i l i p p i n e s , G M A - S A F E , A B P A O Accredited Testing Laboratory, SEDEX (SMETA), Kosher and Halal certified Additionally, Franklin Baker holds the 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 2 3 A w a r d o f E x c e l l e n c e , American Master of Taste & Gold Medal

E n d o r s e m e n t a n d t h e 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 2 3

B e v e r a g e C h a m p i o n b y C h e f s i n America

Franklin Baker is pleased to be a cofounder of the Coconut Coalition of the Americas (CCA), a non-profit organization founded in mid-2017, largely to challenge negative perceptions about coconut products The CCA is dedicated to upholding sound and credible science, responsible communications and sustainable and transparent pract i c e s a r o u n d a l l c o c o n u t p r o d u c t s .

F r a n k l i n B a k e r i s a m e m b e r o f t h e Executive Board, the Marketing and C o m m u n i c a t i o n c o m m i t t e e , t h e Membership committee and serves as a technical advisor.

Franklin Baker offers bulk, foodservice and retail packaging options to meet your business needs and forge a trusted coconut supply chain partnership.

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

Cold Brew Coffee Prepared Fresh and Fast

Cold brew coffee has become wildly popular with consumers of all ages and is quickly becoming a mainstay in the coffee category Known for its reduced acidity and distinct bold flavor, cold brew coffee can be enjoyed throughout the day, which can open up sales opportunities for convenience stores T h e r e i s , h o w e v e r , o n e v e r y l a r g e o b s t a c l e t h a t o p e r a t o r s c o n s i s t e n t l y run into when making cold brew cof-

fee P r e p a r i n g f r e s h , c o l d b r e w c o f f e e takes time – a lot of time The ambient water temperature requires 12+ hours to extract the coffee compared to minutes when brewing with hot water This preparation time creates operational challenges and makes it almost impossible to gauge the volume of cold brew n e e d e d f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y T h e i n a b i l i t y t o f o r e c a s t d e m a n d o f t e n

u n d e r t a k e n i n i t s m o r e t h a n 4 0 y e a r s o f o p e r a t i o n A s t h e p o p u l a r i t y o f p l a n t - b a s e d p r o d u c t s c o n t i n u e s t o g r o w , t h e c o m p a n y f e e l s t h a t t h e r e b r a n d p u t s T o f u t t i i n a b e t t e r p o s it i o n t o c o m p e t e i n a m a r k e t b e c o mi n g i n c r e a s i n g l y c r o w d e d w i t h r i v a l b r a n d s “ T o d a y ’ s n a t u r a l foods market is flooded with competitors, s o w e k n e w i t w a s time to reassess our branding,” says Steve Kass, Chief Executive Officer of Tofutti. “We w a n t c o n s u m e r s t o recognize all Tofutti p r o d u c t s a s T o f u t t i products.” Kass, who h a s b e e n w i t h t h e company since 1986, i s c o n f i d e n t t h a t Tofutti’s new packaging will make it even easier for consumers to spot Tofutti on store shelves.

T o f u t t i ’ s n e w b l a c k p a c k a g i n g w i t h b o l d l e t t e r i n g w a s d e s i g n e d t o n o t

b l e n d i n . “ E v e r y o n e u s e s g r e e n s a n d b l u e s o n w h i t e . I t ’ s p l a y e d o u t a n d

b o r i n g , ” e x p l a i n s G e r r y P u g l i e s e , M a r k e t i n g a n d P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s

M a n a g e r a t T o f u t t i . “ W e w e n t f o r b o l d w i t h a b i t o f e d g e . ” P u g l i e s e a d d s t h a t

f e e d b a c k o n t h e n e w b r a n d i n g h a s b e e n m o s t l y g o o d “ S u r e , w e ’ v e h a d a f e w c r a n k s t h a t d o n ’ t l i k e c h a n g e , ” s a y s P u g l i e s e , “ b u t m o s t c u s t o m e r s g e t i t T h e y l i k e o u r n e w i n - y o u r - f a c e a p p r o a c h ” W i t h t h e r e b r a n d , T o f u t t i i s f o c u s i n g o n i t s c o r e m a r k e t s C o m p a n y r e s e a r c h r e v e a l e d t h a t n e a r l y 9 0 p e rc e n t o f i t s c u s t o m e r s a r e p e o p l e w i t h d a i r y a l l e r g i e s a n d / o r t h o s e w h o i d e nt i f y a s v e g a n o r v e g e t a r i a n “ I t j i b e s w i t h p e o p l e w h o f o l l o w u s o n s o c i a l

t r a n s l a t e s i n t o l o s t s a l e s a n d u n h a p p y c u s t o m e r s when the product runs out d u r i n g b u s i n e s s h o u r s C o l d b r e w i n g p r o c e s s e s u s i n g t r a d i t i o n a l s o a k i n g systems can also be messy a n d c u m b e r s o m e . H o w can an operator meet the h i g h d e m a n d s f o r c o l d brew coffee?

Operators need a brewe r t h a t c a n b r e w f r e s h , fast, and consistent cold brew coffee. Newco’s Cold Brew Brewer Series is the solution. Until now, there has not

m e d i a , ” a d d s P u g l i e s e “ V e g a n a n d d a i r y - f r e e f o o d i e s a r e t h e b u l k o f o u r f o l l o w e r s ; t h a t ’ s w h y w e p o s t a t o n o f v e g a n r e c i p e s u s i n g o u r p r o d u c t s ”

T h i s i s l i k e l y a s a f e b e t f o r T o f u t t i I p s o s r e s e a r c h f o u n d t h a t 9 7 m i l l i o n

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

Tofutti has also seen the rebrand’s positive effect on brokers and retailers

“A lot of buyers are happy to see that

w e u p d a t e d e v e r y t h i n g , ” s a y s C a r l y Saladino, Customer Account Specialist a t T o f u t t i . “ W e ’ r e a n e w T o f u t t i t o t h e m . ” S a l a d i n o h a s b e e n w i t h t h e company for 18 years. Others have been with Tofutti for over 20 years, and some over 30 years. All of this collective e x p e r i e n c e g i v e s T o f u t t i a n e d g e a g a i n s t c o m p e t i t o r s w h o h a v e o n l y recently arrived on the scene.

Whether it’s called vegan or plantbased, Tofutti’s tight-knit team remains committed to making the highest quality dairy-free foods, which has been the company’s mission since 1981 Mr Kass summed it up in August by saying, “we might look different, but inside is the same delicious product and passion for dairy-free foods that has fueled us for over 40 years ”

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 tofutti com

been a way to speed up the process using fresh ground coffee Staff can gauge the volume of sales each day and easily prep a r e m o r e c o f f e e t o i n c r e a s e sales and customer retention The small footprint of the unit m a k e s i t e a s y t o a d d t o t h e c o u n t e r , a n d t h e a u t o m a t i o n simplifies and ensures consist e n t d r i n k q u a l i t y w i t h e a c h batch brewed.

For more information, go to www.newco coffee.com, call 800.325.7867 or email sales@newcocoffee.com.

The Spice Lab’s Naturally Clean-Label Blends

Creating and sourcing a line of pure spices and spice blends that are clean l a b e l w a s n e v e r a c h a n g e , b u t a n assumption from the very beginning f o r t h e f o u n d e r s o f T h e S p i c e L a b “We’ve never used any fillers or artificial colors or flavorings in any of the blends that we create,” said Brett Cramer, one of the founders of the company T h e S p i c e L a b c r e a t e s n u m e r o u s blends that adhere to different dietary lifestyles The company recently partnered up with Michelle Tam from Nom Nom Paleo to develop and produce a line of paleo spice blends Additionally, The Spice Lab carries blends that are salt free, low sodium and keto friendly; all of their blends are gluten free With its recent expansion of over 50,000 square feet and additional production lines, The Spice Lab can now serve its private label partners even faster and more efficiently as it can now produce over 100,000 units a day The company has a full-time research and development chef, who can also help private-label customers create or fine tune a spice blend that speaks to them and their customer base and addresses their dietary needs

The Spice Lab even has a section on its website for new customers who may be interested in creating a private-label program This includes minimums, a variety of jars and lids to choose from and set-up fees Simply go to www spices com and click “wholesale” in the upper right corner Then under “wholesale,” click “private label ” From there, you will be guided through the process

A w o m a n - o w n e d a n d f a m i l y - r u n business, The Spice Lab specializes in creating exclusive custom seasoning blends and packaging organic spices

The company’s extensive product line includes artisan salts, The Spice Lab b r a n d e d a w a r d - w i n n i n g s e a s o n i n g s and rubs, premium spices and dried herbs, natural sugars, Himalayan shot glasses, custom blends, private label and a wide array of corporate gifts

All of the products by The Spice Lab are blended and packed in its SQF certified manufacturing facility in Pompano Beach, Florida The company has WBENC certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise, a USDA NOP Organic certification to package organic spices as well as OU Kosher certification

The Spice Lab’s extensive line of sea salts, spices, seasonings and related products is sold by gourmet and specialty shops, major retailers and online through amazon com and at spices com

For more information, go to spices com, c

CII Foods – Your Solution Provider

CII recognizes that its customers want quality products from a company who cares CII is proud to create food ingredients that not only look great, but have a delicious and wholesome taste The company’s food particulates add flavor, color and character to numerous food applications such as baked goods, cereal, confectionery and ice cream

Unlike most fat-based or sugar-based particles, CII’s Flav-R-Bites® and Flav-RSwirl® stand up to heat, moisture, are shelf stable and they make your products look and taste better!

Flav-R-Bites don’t have to be sweet They can add color and flavor accent to chips, pizza, frozen dinners and even d o g t r e a t s C r e a t e f l a v o r a n d s w i r l effects in bread products by adding Flav-R-Swirl, CII’s pre-blended mixes

New as of Fall 2022, CII is also offering clusters, granola and panned items at its new facility in St Joseph, Missouri By combining whole-grain goodness with health and wellness components, s u c h a s S l i m B i o m e ® , t h e c o m p a n y ’ s cluster production will add new product offerings with limitless possibilities These products will fit well into the cereal and snack markets to add value to your items

In its new St Joseph facility, CII has the capability to run your raw flours a n d i n g r e d i e n t s t h r o u g h i t s H e a t Treatment Processing equipment to significantly reduce pathogens to an acceptable level in your ingredients Flour products can be wheat, pea, soy, rice, corn and many others

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o r e m a i l g a r y oliver@thespicelab.com.

Wisconsin’s Best & Wisconsin Cheese Company Add Production to Meet Consumer Demands

Nationally known quality and a large selection of Wisconsin cheese and meat snacks drives expansion in production for Wisconsin’s Best & Wisconsin Cheese Company C-store driven sales of healthy snacks, keto diets and Fresh-to-Go products put Wisconsin’s Best & Wisconsin Cheese Company products at the forefront of growing sales in c-store locations

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

Refrigerated – Cheese Sticks, Cheese and Meat Combos, Cheese Curds, and

String Cheese and Shelf Stable – Meat S n a c k s , n e w C h e d d a r C h e e s e S t i c k s a n d C h e e s e a n d M e a t C o m b o s n o t requiring refrigeration

The key to success in many locations is making a statement of quality snacks p r o v i d e d b y W i s c o n s i n ’ s B e s t & Wisconsin Cheese Company, and it is working to build customer loyalty

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , e m a i l i n f o @ wiscompany com or call 844 455 3001

The company’s products are fully customizable regarding flavor, color, size and texture All of CII’s products can also be customized to meet any ingred i e n t r e s t r i c t i o n s t h a t y o u r p r o j e c t might have like natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, organic or no sugar added Plant-based proteins are increasingly important to consumers and CII manufactures a full line of custom plantbased protein crisps and Texturized Plant Proteins (TPP) for the health and wellness and plant-based meal markets Some of the sources that CII utilizes are chickpea, fava, wheat, rice and other specialty plant proteins

CII is unique in its ability to innovate beyond standardized food products The company is driven to craft unique solutions for each of its customers and have designed its innovation processes to adapt to customer needs

Even as CII expands its operations, it m a i n t a i n s a n a g i l e , e n t r e p r e n e u r i a l mindset that sets the company apart f r o m l a r g e r p r o d u c e r s w h o d o n o t s h a r e C I I ’ s p a s s i o n t o c r e a t e C I I ’ s p a t e n t e d m a n u f a c t u r i n g p r o c e s s e s allow for greater efficiency and returns on every dollar its customers invest F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o ciifoods com

a n d f o o d s a f e t y s y s t e m s , i n c l u d i n g H A C C P - b a s e d f o o d s a f e t y s y s t e m ,

c h i p s t y l e s , i n c l u d i n g r o l l e d t o r t i l l a chips and new grain free, potato chips, extruded puffed snacks, co-extruded snacks, pellet snacks (veggie-flavored chips), pork rinds, ready to eat popcorn, popped crisps, nut butter snacks or our popular nut clusters Our packaging capabilities range from 1oz to bulk packs and feature various unique formats such as quad seal and stand-up pouches

Q u a l i t y – w e g e t i t ! S Q F L e v e l 3 a u d i t s i n b o t h p l a n t s a r e c o n s i s t e n t l y r a t e d “ E x c e l l e n t ” W i t h o n - s i t e c o n t i nu o u s m o n i t o r i n g a n d i n s p e c t i o n s , o u r c u s t o m e r s a r e c o n f i d e n t t h a t w e u n d e r s t a n d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f q u a l i t y

F S M A / U S D A c o m p l i a n c e , G M P t r a i ni n g a n d f o r m a l i z e d v e r i f i c a t i o n , c o mp u t e r i z e d r e c a l l a n d t r a c e a b i l i t y s y st e m , o n - s i t e m i c r o b i o l o g i c a l t e s t i n g , a l l e r g e n c o n t r o l s y s t e m a n d o t h e r s T h i r d - p a r t y c e r t i f i c a t i o n s i n c l u d e S Q F , g l u t e n f r e e , U S D A c e r t i f i e d o r g a n i c N o n - G M O , K o s h e r a n d W h o l e G r a i n C o u n c i l

You can count on Snak King and its more than 40 years of dedication to quality and expertise in the industry to be your Snack Innovation Partner!

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , g o t o www snakking com, call 626 363 7711 or stop by booth #11702

Snak King (Cont’d from p 1)

UA: Absolutely! At Sunco & Frenchie, we take great pride in sourcing only the finest natural and non-GMO ingred i e n t s f o r o u r p r o d u c t s W e f i r m l y believe that food should be both delicious and good for you By using natural and non-GMO ingredients, we're providing our customers with products that not only taste great but are also healthier and more sustainable

GN: What are some of the most popul a r p r o d u c t s o f f e r e d b y S u n c o &

Just The Fun Part (Cont’d from p 1)

is the newest addition to our product l i n e M i n i w a f f l e c o n e s f i l l e d w i t h

100% Belgian Chocolate produced by the world renowned Barry Callebaut Our crispy waffle cones are sourced f r o m o n e o f t h e o l d e s t b a k e r i e s i n Germany

GN: Where did the idea for Just The Fun Part come from?

A A : T h e i d e a f o r t h i s p r o d u c t c a m e f r o m m y f r i e n d Y i g i t , w h o m I h a v e h a d t h e p l e a s u r e o f w o r k i n g t o g e t h e r w i t h f o r m a n y y e a r s G r o w i n g u p i n

Darrell

market claims as well as ingredients

Darrell Lea is proud to use natural colors and flavors, no preservatives, nonGMO ingredients (many certified NonG M O P r o j e c t ) , S u s t a i n a b l e C o c o a (Cocoa Horizons) as well as being 100% Palm Oil Free It has a lot of exciting items coming down the pipeline

Frenchie, and why do you think they've resonated with customers?

UA: Our dried fruit selection, such as mango, ginger and mixed fruits, are very popular among our customers They appreciate the quality, taste and texture of our dried fruits Our granola a n d n u t m i x e s a r e a l s o f a v o r i t e s b e c a u s e t h e y ' r e c o n v e n i e n t a n d packed with nutrients, making them p e r f e c t f o r s n a c k i n g o n t h e g o o r adding to a meal Overall, I think our p r o d u c t s r e s o n a t e w i t h c u s t o m e r s b e c a u s e t h e y k n o w t h e y ' r e g e t t i n g

T u r k e y , w e w e r e n o s t r a n g e r s t o o u r s w e e t s a n d s n a c k s T h r o u g h o u t o u r c h i l d h o o d w e w e r e e x p o s e d t o s o m e o f t h e w o r l d ’ s g r e a t e s t c o n f e c t i o n s a n d t r e a t s O n e t h a t a l w a y s s t u c k w i t h u s w a s a c l a s s i c s u n d a e c o n e ( p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e b o t t o m ) L a t e r i n l i f e , w h e n w e h a d b e g u n o u r c a r e e r s a s s p e c i a l t y f o o d p r o f e s s i o n a l s , w e n e v e r s t o p p e d s t r i v i n g t o c r e a t e t h a t o n e g r e a t s n a c k M u c h t o o u r s u rp r i s e , a p r o d u c t l i k e t h i s a l r e a d y e x i s te d , j u s t i n a d i f f e r e n t f o r m a t I t w a s a l a r g e r c o n e , f i l l e d w i t h c h o c o l a t e , i n d i v i d u a l l y w r a p p e d , a n d t o p p e d w i t h s m a l l c a n d i e s N e v e r f o r g e t t i n g h i s f a v o r i t e p a r t o f t h e s u n d a e c o n e

great-tasting, healthy options

GN: Can you share some exciting new products or upcoming initiatives that Sunco & Frenchie has in the pipeline?

UA: We're always looking for innovative ways to expand our product offerings and meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers In the coming months, we plan to launch a new line of organic products and explore more sustainable packaging options We're also working on collaborating with local farmers to source more ingredients locally, further enhancing the quality and freshness of

a s a c h i l d , Y i g i t i m a g i n e d a s u n d a e c o n e s n a c k t h a t y o u c o u l d e n j o y o v e r a n d o v e r a g a i n J u s t l i k e t h a t , J u s t T h e F u n P a r t w a s b o r n ! W e d e c i d e d t o s h r i n k t h e b o t t o m p a r t o f t h e c o n e a n d p u t i t i n a b a g s o t h e b e s t p a r t o f t h e c o n e w o u l d k e e p g o i n g !

GN: Who is your target market?

AA: Simply put, we made this product for everyone to enjoy! People of all ages have a distinct memory of the end of a sundae cone Whether you’re 8 or 80, you’ll remember rushing to the bottom to get that last, chocolate filled, bite

our products

GN: How can customers find Sunco & Frenchie's products, and what can they expect when they visit your booth at the Natural Food Expo?

UA: Customers can find our products t h r o u g h o u r w e b s i t e , w w w s u nc o f r e n c h i e c o m , a n d i n s e l e c t r e t a i l locations

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 suncofrenchie com, call 973 478 1011 or email sales@suncofrenchie com

GN: What is the nature of your distribution?

AA: We are the direct manufacturer of Just The Fun Part We have seven production facilities in Turkey, where our p r o d u c t i s d e l i c a t e l y m a n u f a c t u r e d While we can export all over the globe, our main distribution center is conveniently located in our warehouse in New Jersey We house over 150 different items and Just The Fun Part is always in stock!

For more information, go to www justthe funpart com, call 551 333 1119 or stop by booth #11786

Try the new bite-size candies of deli-

c i o u s n e s s – D a r r e l l L e a C h o c o l a t e Chewy Candy Bites are available in three exciting flavors, including Milk Chocolate with Raspberry Licorice, Milk C h o c o l a t e w i t h B l a c k L i c o r i c e a n d W h i t e C h o c o l a t e w i t h R a s p b e r r y L i c o r i c e , l a u n c h e d t h i s s p r i n g T h e chocolate bites are proudly palm oil free, made in Australia and made with 100 percent sustainably sourced cocoa L i v e t h e s w e e t l i f e w i t h t h e n e w

Darrell Lea Fabulicious Sour Candy Stix Range! Available now in three exciting f l a v o r s , i n c l u d i n g R a s p b e r r y , A p p l e and Mixed Flavor These soft, tangy tubes filled with a sour sherbet center a r e g u a r a n t e e d t o m a k e y o u r t a s t e b u d s t i n g l e ! D a r r e l l L e a F a b u l i c i o u s sour candy stix are palm oil free, no a r t i f i c i a l c o l o r s o r f l a v o r s a n d n o

that it is expanding into the seasonal market and will launch three new holiday SKUs in the fall of 2023: Darrell Lea C h r i s t m a s C r u n c h y C h o c o l a t e B a l l s , D a r r e l l L e a C h r i s t m a s L i c o r i c e (Strawberry & Apple flavors) and its famous Darrell Lea Rocklea Road Milk Chocolate slab

preservatives

Darrell Lea is also happy to introduce

GN: What are some of your most popular products?

G P : L a s O l a s ’ m o s t p o p u l a r p r o d u c t

i s o u r c e l e b r a t e d A n a s t a s i a C o n f e c t i o n s C o c o n u t P a t t i e s , w h i c h h a v e b e e n p r o d u c e d i n F l o r i d a f o r o v e r 3 0 y e a r s . O n e b i t e i n s t a n t l y t a k e s c o n s u m e r s t o p a r a d i s e w i t h t h e t a s t e o f t h e t r o p i c s . O u r C o c o n u t I s l a n d ’ s C o c o n u t

Cashew Crunch is another consumer favorite

think tropical twist on a classic brittle. At its launch in 2017, it was awarded sofi™ and MINPA Product of the Year! It continues to grow because it’s an unprecedented product, and addictive … one taste and you’ll be

back for more.

A n d l a s t b u t n o t l e a s t , L a s O l a s ’

G o u r m e t T a f f y i s a l s o o n e o f o u r m o s t p o p u l a r p r o d u c t s . M a t t e r - o f - f a c t , p r od u c t i o n h a s m o r e t h a n d o u b l e d o v e r t h e l a s t y e a r . W e p r o d u c e o v e r 2 0 c l a s s i c a n d t r o p i c a l f l a v o r s , a n d a l s o h a v e t h e f l e x i b i l i t y t o c r e a t e c u s t o m f l a v o r s . E a c h p i e c e i s f u l l o f s w e e t b u r s t s o f f l a v o r ; a n d , b e c a u s e w e u s e c o c o n u t o i l , i t h a s a s i l k y - s m o o t h t e xt u r e w i t h o u t t h e s t i c k i n e s s o f t y p i c a l t a f f y . I t ’ s t r u l y a t r e a s u r e f o r t a f f y l o v e r s !

GN: You mentioned 2023 will be the most exciting year for Las Olas. What can we expect to see?

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 darrelllea com or stop by booth #10210 q u a l i t y c a n d y a n d s n a c k s . J u s t t h i s p a s t y e a r , w e ’ v e l a u n c h e d m a n y n e w p r o d u c t s a c r o s s o u r b r a n d s , a n d 2 0 2 3 w i l l b e t h e m o s t e x c i t i n g y e a r f o r L a s O l a s . L o o k f o r n e w p r o d u c t s a n d i n g r e d i e n t s t h a t e x e m p l i f y t h e t a s t e o f p a r a d i s e .

GP: You’ll need to stop by Las Olas’ island oasis in booth #10874 to find out what’s ahead for Anastasia Confections and Coconut Island in 2023! Come feel the breeze and take a few selfies while you’re there.

For more information, go to www.las o l a s b r a n d s . c o m , c a l l

.

.

o r stop by booth #10874.

s o r g h u m f l o u r , o r g a n i c o a t f l o u r a n d o r g a n i c c a s s a v a f l o u r C r a f t e d i n s m a l l b a t c h e s a t a n S Q F - c e r t i f i e d b a k 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 r o a s te d b l a n c h e d o r g a n i c p e a n u t s o r d r yr o a s t e d o r g a n i c s u n f l o w e r s e e d s m i l l e d t o c r e a m y p e r f e c t i o n T h e c l e a n - i n g r e d i e n t p r o d u c t s u t i l i z e

c e r t i f i e d p a l m o i l t o s t a b i l i z e

t h e s p r e a d s a n d a r e m a d e w i t h s u st a i n a b l y s o u r c e d c a n e s u g a r A c l a s s i c c r a c k e r d i v i d e r c r e a t e s t w o s a n d w i c he s i n e a c h p a c k a g e G a e l J B O r r , D i r e c t o r o f M a r k e t i n g a t O n c e A g a i n N u t B u t t e r s t a t e s t h a t “ o u r n u t a n d s e e d b u t t e r s h a v e a l w a y s b e e n a n e x c e l l e n t i n g r e d i e n t c h o i c e f o r c r e a t i n g p l a n t - b a s e d s n a c k s , s o w e c o u l d n ’ t b e m o r e e x c i t -

e d t o i n t r o d u c e t h e s e r e a d y - t o - e n j o y

g r a h a m c r a c k e r s a n d w i c h e s t o m a rk e t U n t i l n o w , t h e r e h a v e b e e n n o s a n d w i c h c r a c k e r s t h a t a r e b o t h

o r g a n i c a n d g l u t e n - f r e e c e r t i f i e d D e s i g n e d t o a p p e a l t o a l l a g e s , t h e p o r t a b l e s n a c k s c a n b e e a t e n s t r a i g h t o f f t h e s h e l f , n o p e a n u t - b u tt e r s t i r r i n g o r s u n f l o w e r - b u t t e r s p r e a d i n g n e e d e d , a n d t h e y ’ r e s u rp r i s i n g l y f i l l i n g a n d t a s t y ”

O n c e A g a i n ’ s n e w g r a h a m c r a c k e r

s a n d w i c h e s a r e a v a i l a b l e f o r r e t a i l e r s n a t i o n w i d e t o c a r r y f o r a n M S R P o f $ 1 6 9 - $ 1 8 9 o r $ 1 3 5 2 - $ 1 5 1 2 p e r r e t a i l b o x o f e i g h t T h e s u n f l o w e r b u tt e r s a n d w i c h c r a c k e r s w e r e r e c e n t l y s e l e c t e d a s a w i n n e r i n G o o d H o u s e k e e p i n g ’ s 2 0 2 2 H e a l t h y S n a c k A w a r d s

For more information, go to www once againnutbutter com

Sunco & Frenchie (Cont’d from p 1)

Once Again (Cont’d from p 1)

Lea (Cont’d from p 1)

Las Olas (Cont’d. from p. 1)