Food & Food Equipment News

Consumers Thirsty for Healthier Beverages

By Greg Gonzales

Need a quick caffeine boost and a blast of antioxidants? The ready-to-drink Matcha Love can do that. Maybe you prefer non-synthetic caffeine extracted from green coffee beans in fruit juice, along with a dose of vitamins — a company called Frava has you covered. Just like, “there’s an app for that,” beverages aren’t just for hydration any more.

“In general, consumers are getting the picture that empty calories are really causing our health problems in this country,” said Chrissy Weiss, a registered dietitian who serves as Director of Marketing and Communications at Culinary Collective. “There’s a movement. These big companies are seeing a decline in regular soda sales and that’s been going on for a couple of years now. There’s a wave of information and a health movement that’s going on in this country. What we’re seeing today is that there’s this whole other wave of people looking for healthy hydration, something that gives them health benefits.” Some of these beverages include plant waters, low-sugar or natural-sugar juices, non-dairy probiotic drinks like kombucha and ready-to-drink simple beverages, like tea and coffee.

Category growth has opened the doors for new producers and expansion opportunities for larger ones, too. The tea market for instance, has grown by 15 times over since 2009. Loose leaf tea, ready-to-drink teas and cold-press coffee at home have become increasingly popular.

According to Weiss, market success in functional and healthy beverages categories is similar. “People are seeing these beverages like an affordable luxury, like specialty coffee drinks. I think these appeal to a lot of people because they’re willing to do something that makes them feel good and buy a product that makes them feel better. … What people pay for these, even when a little pricier, they seem a little more affordable.”

Growth in better-for-you beverages may be coming at the expense of traditional soft drinks. The last two decades have seen soft drinks taking a hard fall, by more than 25 percent, according to the New York Times — by more than $1 billion, since 2011. On the other hand, healthier beverage categories’ double-digit sales growth is expected to continue for years to come. According to Nielsen reports, functional beverage sales increased by 6.9 percent in 2015 and will grow even more rapidly this year. The same report said that 90 percent of 2015 growth in juice beverages came from new product launches.

GoGo squeeZ Partners with Action for Healthy Kids

Just in time for Every Kid Healthy Week, GoGo squeeZ®, the makers of all-natural 100 percent fruit in a pouch, today announced a long-term partnership with Action for Healthy Kids® (AFHK), a nationwide nonprofit that supports school-based healthy eating and physical activity programs. Through a series of school grants and sponsored activities with AFHK, GoGo squeeZ will further their mission of making families happier and healthier by squeeZing a little more goodness into kids' lives for the 2016-2017 school year and beyond. 

The partnership kicks off with Every Kid Healthy Week (April 25– 29, 2016), an annual event that celebrates school health and wellness achievements. This annual observance puts the spotlight on the schools making a concerted effort to improve the health and wellness of their students and further promote the link between nutrition, physical activity and learning. As a national sponsor, GoGo squeeZ is providing stipends to 100 schools that pledge to include a healthy snacking activity in their programming.

"As part of our commitment to providing 'goodness for kids', we are partnering with AFHK to support their efforts to foster great eating habits among America's children," said Bill Graham, President, Materne North America Corp., the maker of GoGo squeeZ. "Our signature line of 100 percent natural applesauce squeezers, in conjunction with this multi-layered long-term partnership, helps to further deliver on our mission of making it easier for kids and families to be a little healthier and happier every day."

"Many kids have never even tried some common fruits and vegetables, but when exposed to healthier foods and nutrition education, they are better equipped to make smart food choices that positively impact their health and ability to learn in school," said Rob Bisceglie, CEO, Action for Healthy Kids. "By working with a partner like GoGo squeeZ that shares our vision to see all children live healthier lives, we will provide more schools the funding and resources needed to implement essential health and wellness programming."

In addition to the sponsorship of Every Kid Healthy Week, and integral to the ongoing partnership with AFHK, GoGo squeeZ will support School Grants for Healthy Kids to help AFHK provide funding and technical assistance to 50 schools nationwide in the 2016-2017 school year to implement AFHK's Game On™ program of physical activity and nutrition initiatives. Grants may be used to fund nutrition education activities and physical activity initiatives including facilities and equipment for recess and physical education, playgrounds and play spaces, classroom energizers, walking and running clubs, and school gardens. In conjunction with the grants, AFHK also provides technical assistance to schools to support them in becoming nationally recognized as health promoting.

GoGo squeeZ North American employees will also play a role in the ongoing partnership by participating in affiliated volunteer projects on both a company-wide and individual level. As one example, employees will be informed about partner schools in their communities and offered an opportunity to participate in their Every Kid Healthy Week events. 

For schools interested in getting involved with Every Kid Healthy Week (April 25-29, 2016), visit http://www.EveryKidHealthyWeek.org.

New Sodium Reduction Solution to Launch at New York Restaurants

Concern about excessive sodium intake in FF/QSR restaurant foods has been rapidly growing, with calls for mandatory regulation and other initiatives directed toward the reduction of salt consumption. In response, Salt of the Earth Ltd. makes its Umamix flavor-enhancement product available to restaurants. Umamix is a proprietary, savory mix of quality sea salt and vegetable extracts. It is rich in umami, and the all-natural formula is designed to reduce sodium and MSG use in food applications and recipes.

"We developed Umamix to answer the growing demand from consumers to reduce sodium in food without compromising on flavor," explains Dror Levy, Retail & Food Service Export manager for Salt of the Earth. "Umamix can help chefs reduce sodium up to 45 percent in various recipes and food applications, providing a vegan, natural and GMO-free solution for restaurants in New York and the rest of the U.S."

Salt of the Earth collaborated with MBA candidates at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, Chicago, in a study to better understand what professional and casual chefs really want and how they might use Umamix in their recipes. The study took place in The Chopping Block culinary school in Chicago. "The research showed Umamix to be especially effective in replacing salt in a variety of food products including vegetarian dishes, sauces and meat-based products, such as hamburgers," Levy adds.

"Restaurant patrons want a great dining experience, and this translates to healthful food, with full flavor," says Revital Ben Shachar, Marketing Manager for Salt of the Earth. "People want to eat healthy, and they demand transparency when it comes to what's in the food they consume. The challenge for chefs is to make food healthier, with great taste and without preservatives or synthetic ingredients. Umamix lets them stir in or shake on flavor. Salt of the Earth is able to help chefs develop or adapt recipes to take full advantage of Umamix's substantial flavor enhancement and sodium-lowering benefits," Shachar adds.

With innovation and quality as its driving principles, Salt of the Earth has been producing sustainable sea salt solutions for the global food industry since 1922. Salt of the Earth's customers span more than 30 countries on five continents. The company controls and tracks sustainable salt resources and works to promote balanced salt consumption through innovative sodium reduction solutions.

Captain D's Takes Healthy Heart Pledge with Seafood Nutrition Partnership

Fast casual seafood restaurant Captain D's LLC has joined forces with the Seafood Nutrition Partnership, a national non-profit organization dedicated to educating Americans about the health benefits of a seafood-rich diet. Significant research and recent studies have determined that eating seafood twice a week can lead to fewer instances of chronic and preventable diseases. Findings also show that a seafood-rich diet can improve heart health and bolster brain development.

"The Seafood Nutrition Partnership's beliefs are in line with our own, that there is significant nutritional value and health benefits of a seafood-rich diet. We are proud to work together to help spread awareness of this important issue nationwide," said Phil Greifeld, Captain D's Chief Executive Officer.

The Seafood Nutrition Partnership aims to reduce the risks of heart disease, improve baby brain wellness and increase memory for seniors by educating Americans about the health benefits of seafood and building awareness of seafood's essential nutritional value. The organization encourages the public, with an emphasis on women and heart disease, through partnerships with local community leaders in key cities across the country and engages their constituents with nutrition education. Activities range from seafood-focused cooking demonstrations to health screenings to public service announcements and public events, with an emphasis on the call to action of taking the Healthy Heart Pledge.

"Captain D's engagement with SNP comes at an important time as we launch our public health education campaign efforts in October," said Linda Cornish, Executive Director of Seafood Nutrition Partnership. "Too many Americans do not realize the health benefits of eating seafood and this partnership will help SNP get the message out to more people."

With 512 restaurants in 26 states, Captain D's is the number one seafood franchise in America ranked by average unit volume. Captain D's recently unveiled a new design featuring a vibrant coastal atmosphere and upgraded the dining experience with new plate ware and silverware. Captain D's new menu, featuring several new items, is brought to life with upgraded menu boards and also features several new kid's meal offerings. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best — serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price.

Evelyn Crayton Becomes 2015-2016 President of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Registered dietitian nutritionist Evelyn F. Crayton, professor emeritus at Auburn University, began her one-year term on June 1 as the president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.

Crayton, of Montgomery, Alabama, and a native of Jones, Louisiana, is the 90th president of the Academy, which was founded in 1917 as the American Dietetic Association. She has been the Academy's president-elect since June 2014 and will serve as president until May 31, 2016. Crayton is the first African-American to serve as the Academy's president.

"It is important to demonstrate to the world that we are the most qualified leaders in the field of nutrition and dietetics. We aim to maximize the optimum health of the people in our community, state, nation and in the world. Another goal is to continue to increase ethnic diversity in our membership," Crayton said.

Crayton said among her priorities as president of the 76,000-member Academy are working with the board of directors, Academy leaders, nutrition and dietetic educators and the Academy's headquarters team to increase the number of internships available for students and the number of preceptors to work with interns.

"As a part of the Academy's strategic plan, I also hope we will increase our partnerships and collaborations with like-minded organizations that are involved in addressing food insecurity and hunger issues worldwide. Through these partnerships and collaborative efforts, we will contribute to the reduction in health disparities and increase health equity," Crayton said.

Crayton is a past president of the Alabama Dietetic Association; chair of the Academy's Nutrition Education for the Public dietetic practice group; membership chair of the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition practice group; and a mentor for the Academy's National Organization of Blacks in Dietetics and Nutrition member interest group. She has served as a consumer representative on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Advisory Committee.

At Auburn University, Crayton was a professor of nutrition, dietetics and hospitality management and assistant director of extension family and consumer sciences. She collaborated, partnered or received funding from the National Cancer Institute; the March of Dimes; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health; International Society of Hypertension in Blacks; and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

She is a life member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority and a founder of the Gamma Xi chapter at Auburn University, where she served as a faculty advisor. Crayton has been a member of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Services Employees Organization; a founding member of the Auburn Black Caucus; and a past member of the Montgomery County Board of Education's Bi-Racial Committee. She was a member of the ninth class of the "Leadership Montgomery" professional development program, now in its 32nd year.

A published author in refereed journals, Crayton has developed curricula, videos, slide presentations, leaflets and other teaching materials and is a national and international speaker. Crayton is the author of "Food Preservation in Alabama" (Alabama Cooperative Extension System 2012).

A graduate of Grambling State University, Crayton earned a master's degree from Saint Louis University and a doctorate from Auburn University.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

Epicurious Recipes Now Include Nutritional Information

Epicurious is now providing nutritional information for the close to 400,000 recipes in its database. Starting today, the leading digital food brand will display full nutritional profiles, including calories, fat (including saturated, polyunsaturated, and monounsaturated fat breakdowns), carbs, protein, sodium, cholesterol, and fiber, for recipes that previously did not feature this information.  Within each recipe profile, the nutrition information is displayed below the ingredients and preparation steps.

“Nutrition information is one of the most-requested features from our users and we’re thrilled to be able offer this valuable content for the recipes in our Epi-editorial database, as well as hundreds of thousands of family recipes from our community,” said Epicurious Editor-in-Chief Tanya Steel.  “Today, more than ever, consumers expect this level of nutritional detail to help inform the food choices they’re making for themselves and their families.”

Epicurious worked with the technology company, Edamam, to develop the nutritional profiles for each recipe.  Edamam used a combination of the USDA nutritional database and its own proprietary data, along with a semantic analysis of each recipe's ingredient and preparation information to accurately calculate the nutritional content.

"Edamam strives to become the nutrition engine for recipes on the web" said Victor Penev, Edamam's CEO. “We are thrilled to be working with Epicurious on this project to continue to provide users with vital nutritional information.” 

The Piping Gourmets Launch GFCO Certified Gluten Free Whoopie Pies

Who doesn't like a little Whoopie? The Piping Gourmets have cleverly taken their Ready. Set. Cupcake! GFCO-certified gluten free & dairy free cake batters and added their own vegan frosting to create gluten free Whoopie Pies by The Piping Gourmets, a new tasty line of iconic American desserts.

"Our line of frozen dessert products focuses on delivering top attributes sought by today's consumers: gluten free, dairy free, certified vegan and kosher and Non GMO," says Carolyn Shulevitz, co-founder of The Piping Gourmets. "We are aiming to meet the market's demand for quality, gluten free and dairy free desserts that have a healthier profile, yet are delicious and fun too!" Created as a dessert for the growing number of people who have Celiac disease, gluten sensitivities or dairy intolerances, Whoopie Pies by The Piping Gourmets is a scrumptious new offering. The icing on the cake? You would never guess it's actually gluten free! Simply thaw and serve - each gluten free whoopie pie is individually wrapped, ideal for lunch boxes or an anytime treat!

The Piping Gourmets are well positioned as they expand into the gluten free and kosher dessert categories, currently two of the largest growing consumer markets.

Gluten free Whoopie Pies by The Piping Gourmets launched September 14, 2013 with five fabulous flavors: chocolate-vanilla, chocolate-mint, chocolate-raspberry, classic vanilla and vanilla-lemon! Available in the grocer's frozen dessert aisle and gluten free freezer doors - look for them first in the Whole Foods Market Florida region.

Ready. Set. Cupcake! by The Piping Gourmets, a line of ready to use, all natural frozen cake batters and buttercream frostings, is winner of Best Product by Own It Ventures Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 and has new distribution in the Whole Foods Market, Mid-Atlantic region.   

The Piping Gourmets is a Whole Foods Market Local Producer Loan Program recipient and a WBENC certified woman owned company.

 

Topeka Welcomes Natural Grocers

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage^® (NYSE: NGVC) is announcing the grand opening of its Topeka store, which will be located at 5836 SW 21st Street. Joining Natural Grocers locations already open in Overland Park, Wichita and Lawrence, the Topeka store officially opens for business on September 17th.

"Healthy food should be affordable," said Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers Co-President. "We're looking forward to welcoming our neighbors into our store-– and not just to shop. We hope they take part in our free nutritional education seminars, or pick up some practical ideas for healthy eating during one of our free cooking demonstrations." Natural Grocers will have its first free cooking class at noon on opening day, with nationally recognized nutrition expert Cary Tamburro, BS, making "Smoothies to Jump Start Your Health" Ms. Tamburro follows with a free evening seminar at 6pm on  "Super Charging your Health: Protecting Against Stress". Both events are sponsored by Garden of Life & Minami products.

Natural Grocers, based in Colorado, offers free health coaching to its customers—including individualized nutrition sessions, meal planning, and other guidance about nutrition and health. Every Natural Grocers supports a full time credentialed Nutritional Health Coach and all staff are trained to help shoppers find products and resources to support their individual needs. The company also offers free seminars, guest speakers and cooking demonstrations for the community (schedule:http://www.naturalgrocers.com/nutrition/nutrition-seminars).

Natural Grocers offers only natural and organic products on its shelves.  Shoppers will find only USDA-certified organic produce and meats from animals raised naturally without the use of antibiotics or hormones. The affordable grocery chain also offers an extensive natural dietary supplement and body care department, and a large selection of gluten-free and other products for special diets.

Natural Grocers is equally as well known for what it does not sell:  foods that contain artificial ingredients such as colors, sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, or produce grown with synthetic pesticides. (See: "What We Won't Sell and Why.")

The Topeka Natural Grocers will be open Monday through Saturday from 8:56 a.m. to 8:04 pm. On Sunday the store will be open from 9:56 a.m. to 7:06 p.m.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage (NGVC), founded in Colorado by Margaret & Philip Isely in 1955, was built on the premise that consumers should have access to affordable, high-quality foods and dietary supplements, along with nutrition knowledge to help them support their own health. The family-run store has since grown into a successful national chain with locations across Colorado, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Missouri, New Mexico, Montana, Kansas, Idaho, Nebraska, Arizona and Oregon—employing over 2000 people. The company went public in July 2012; however, Isely family members continue to manage the company, building on the foundation of their parents' business.  Natural Grocers' popularity and success can be traced back to its founding principles: providing customers with high quality products at every day affordable prices.

American Farmers Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court to Seek Protection from Genetic Contamination, Invalidate Monsanto's Patents

New York-- A group of 73 American organic and conventional family farmers, seed businesses and public advocacy groups asked the U.S. Supreme Court today to hear their case against Monsanto Company challenging the chemical and biotech seed giant’s patents on genetically engineered seed. In Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA) et al v. Monsanto, the plaintiffs have been forced to sue preemptively to protect themselves from being accused of patent infringement should their fields ever become contaminated by Monsanto’s genetically engineered seed, something Monsanto has done to others in the past.

In a June 10th ruling earlier this year, a three-judge panel at the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that a group of organic and otherwise non-GMO farmer and seed company plaintiffs are not entitled to bring a lawsuit to protect themselves from Monsanto's transgenic seed patents "because Monsanto has made binding assurances that it will not 'take legal action against growers whose crops might inadvertently contain traces of Monsanto biotech genes (because, for example, some transgenic seed or pollen blew onto the grower's land).'"

"While the Court of Appeals correctly found that the farmers and seed sellers had standing to challenge Monsanto's invalid patents, it incorrectly found that statements made by Monsanto's lawyers during the lawsuit mooted the case," said Daniel Ravicher, Executive Director of the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) and lead counsel to the plaintiffs in OSGATA et al v. Monsanto. "As a result, we have asked the Supreme Court to take the case and reinstate the right of the plaintiffs to seek full protection from Monsanto's invalid transgenic seed patents."

The Petition filed today by lawyers for the family farmers may be found here.

The plaintiffs brought the pre-emptive case against Monsanto in March 2011 and specifically seek to defend themselves from nearly two dozen of Monsanto's most aggressively asserted patents on GMO seed. They were forced to act pre-emptively to protect themselves from Monsanto's abusive lawsuits, fearing that if GMO seed contaminates their property despite their efforts to prevent such contamination, Monsanto will sue them for patent infringement.

“We have been farming for almost forty years and we have never wanted anything to do with Monsanto,” said Jim Gerritsen, an organic seed farmer in Maine and President of lead Plaintiff OSGATA.  “We believe we have the right to farm and grow good food the way we choose. We don’t think it’s fair that Monsanto can trespass onto our farm, contaminate and ruin our crops and then sue us for infringing on their patent rights. We don’t want one penny from Monsanto. American farmers deserve their day in Court so we can prove to the world Monsanto’s genetically engineered patents are invalid and that farmers deserve protection from Monsanto’s abuse.”

In the case, the plaintiffs are asking the courts to declare that if organic farmers are ever contaminated by Monsanto's genetically engineered seed, they need not fear also being accused of patent infringement. One reason justifying this result is that Monsanto's patents on genetically engineered seed are invalid because they don't meet the “usefulness” requirement of patent law, according to Ravicher. Evidence cited in the plaintiffs' court filings proves that genetically engineered seed has negative economic and health effects, while the promised benefits of genetically engineered seed-– increased production and decreased herbicide use-– are false.

With the rapid adoption of Monsanto’s genetically engineered seed technology, America’s farmers have been faced with a rampant rise in superweeds, with more than 49 percent of U.S. farmers reporting glyphosate-resistant weeds on their farm in 2012, up from 34 percent that farmers reported in 2011. In addition, scientists are reporting the growing failures of Monsanto’s genetically engineered insecticide-corn, with reports from scientists in the Midwestern corn belt states detailing the rise of super insects becoming resistant to the genetically engineered Bt toxin, leaving farmers vulnerable to the voracious corn rootworm, the number one threat to corn farmers.

“For the past twenty years, Monsanto has used its political and financial power to foist a deeply flawed technology on America’s farmers, consistently underestimating the real risks of genetic engineering while putting America’s farmers, the environment and the public in harm’s way simply in the name of profit,” said Dave Murphy, founder and executive director of Food Democracy Now!, a grassroots movement of more than 650,000 farmers and citizens. 

More information about PUBPAT's suit against Monsanto's seed patents can be found at PUBPAT > Monsanto Seed Patents.

Third Street Partners with Whole Foods to Launch Sustainable Iced Teas

Third Street, Inc. announces their premium new line of fresh-brewed, ready-to-drink (RTD) iced teas is being launched exclusively with Whole Foods Market.  Packaged in 1 liter bottles, it is the only line of its kind that carries USDA-Organic, Fair Trade and Gluten-Free certifications, as well as being Non-GMO Project Verified.  Two flavors are available: Unsweetened Black Tea and Unsweetened Green Tea. Both teas are micro-brewed from tea leaves hand-picked from the lush region of Nilgiri, India; no sweeteners are added to the zero-calorie blends.

In the effort to help supply consumers more unsweetened beverage options, Third Street worked closely with Whole Foods to develop this line of calorie-free RTD teas. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends reducing the amount of sugar-sweetened beverages to help decrease caloric intake and manage weight.  A recent CDC study shows Americans are drinking less sugar-sweetened beverages and are looking for alternatives.

Founded in 1995, Third Street Chai recently became Third Street, Inc. when it expanded beyond chai and began manufacturing various beverages, including iced tea. "The RTD Tea category is one of the fastest growing in the beverage industry," said John Simmons founder and President of Third Street. "Sales continue to grow 7 percent annually, making it a $4.8 billion category.  Within this category, the unsweetened RTD teas are showing significant growth." According to AC Nielsen, the unsweetened RTD iced tea category grew 14.9 percent in sales in 2012 and 16 percent during the same period in 2013.

Third Street is a recipient of Whole Foods Market's Local Producer Loan Program. Whole Foods Market launched this program to provide low-interest loans that would help its suppliers grow their businesses.  Third Street, a Whole Foods Market supplier since 2000 is an avid supporter of Whole Foods Market's responsible sourcing initiatives. Both parties are proud that this line of real brewed iced teas is made in the US, including the bottle and case packaging.

"At Whole Foods Market, we partner with suppliers who share our commitment to quality, taste and responsible sourcing-– and Third Street has a long track record of creating delicious teas that our shoppers can really feel good about," said Errol Schweitzer, executive global grocery coordinator for Whole Foods Market. "We're excited to share their new brewed iced teas exclusively with our shoppers."

Third Street's award-winning one liter iced teas will retail for $2.49. They will be carried nationally in Whole Foods Market, and will begin hitting store shelves this week.