Food & Food Equipment News

The Power Of Pink: Juice It Up! Unleashes The Dragon With New Pitaya Superfruit

Juice It Up! the nation's largest raw juice bar and hand crafted smoothie franchise have once again added a powerful player to their healthy lifestyle options and offerings. The 82-store chain (who was first to introduce the benefits and flavor of the Acai super fruit) has now announced a new line of bowls and smoothies featuring the colorful and exotic Pitaya fruit, commonly referred to as Dragon Fruit.

Pitaya, (Pee-tah-yah) is native to Mexico, as well as Central and South America and is considered to be a super fruit by many, packed with antioxidants, Omega-3's, Vitamin C and a key source of magnesium. As with the launch of their famous Acai products, Juice It Up! is staying focused on the development of products that support a healthy lifestyle and provide consumers with delicious functional options to improve their overall well-being. 

"We were one of the first to introduce the health benefits of the Acai berry to the public" says Carol Skinner, Senior Director of Marketing for Juice It Up!. "With the addition of our new Pitaya line, and the infusion of the Pitaya super fruit into our smoothies and bowls, we have strengthened our platform of functional, delicious and healthy options for our customers."

The Pitaya fruit will be infused with other natural ingredients and presented in three great new Juice It Up! products; The Pitaya Sunset Smoothie, The Pitaya Passion Bowl and The Tropical Pitaya Bowl, each with its own unique flavor profile and each offering amazing health functionality. The low-sugar, high-fiber superfruit showcases a wealth of vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients found to strengthen the immune system, neutralize cancer-forming radicals, improve healing and help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and arthritis.

"It simply is another powerful ingredient in our focus on healthy options for our customers." Says Frank Easterbrook, CEO and President of Juice It Up!. "We are excited to be bringing this amazing fruit into the public eye and making it part of our healthy line up."

The newly developed Pitaya products will be available at all 82 store locations for a limited time from September 1^st through October 30^th. For the nearest Juice It Up! location nearest you, or for more information on Juice It Up! and Juice It Up! products, please visit them on the web at www.juiceitup.com.

Kate Farms Functional Whole Foods Gains National Distribution

Kate Farms, the creator of Komplete Ultimate Shakes — the world's first organic dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free ready-to-drink meal replacement shake — is excited to announce that the first Komplete flavor, Vanilla Bliss, will be present in all 622 of The Vitamin Shoppe locations nationwide as well as online starting yesterday, Sunday, August 18th, 2013. The remaining two Komplete flavors from their flagship line including Cocoa Fudge and Jav'a Latte will be available for purchase at The Vitamin Shoppe and online starting Sunday, September 15th, 2013.

As a former tennis professional and the cousin of world famous tennis legend Rod Laver, Richard Laver and his wife Michelle founded Kate Farms for the sole purpose of their daughter, Kate Laver. At the age of four, Kate was failing to "thrive" and was faced with numerous difficulties. The meal replacement beverage her doctors prescribed was overloaded with sugar and dairy for calorie enhancement. As a result, Kate had many complications, including bottle rot, sleep apnea and digestive problems. The Laver's then decided it was time to take matters into their own hands and started to develop their own hypoallergenic meal replacement shake in their very own kitchen. Together they blended 21 superfoods (including but not limited to acai, mangosteen, black currants, raspberries, green tea extract, etc.) with antioxidants, high plant based proteins and vitamin rich ingredients to fuel the body with the nutrition it needs and removed all the things that the body doesn't need like sugar and dairy. Within weeks Kate's condition improved greatly and she no longer needed breathing treatment for sleep apnea, her digestion problems were a thing of the past and her mouth was once again healthy.

"The Vitamin Shoppe is known for offering health conscious consumers a variety of high quality products and supplements and I'm thrilled that Kate Farms Komplete Ultimate Shakes will now be stocked on their shelves." says Richard Laver, CEO and Founder of Kate Farms. "When I was creating the Komplete formula I dreamed that it would end up in The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements stores worldwide."

Kate Farms Komplete Ultimate Meal Replacement Shakes can also be found and are available for purchase in more than 30 Super Supplements locations as well as many other fine grocery stores and retailers all over the United States. Please visit www.KateFarms.com for additional information and to find a local retailer.

Hiland Dairy Introduces Greek Yogurt to Product Lineup

Eating smart has now gotten tastier with the introduction of Hiland Dairy's new nonfat Greek yogurts.  The tangier, creamier style of yogurt packs a protein punch over its conventional yogurt counterpart, with nearly twice the grams of protein per serving.  

Protein plays a very important role in the human body, said Gary Aggus, President/General Manager of Hiland Dairy. Protein provides fuel for your body and helps you feel fuller longer which can lead to healthy eating habits. Aggus addedm, "We wanted to offer a product to our customers that is full of rich, creamy flavor and delivers steady and sustained energy throughout the day. Plus, the straining process removes some of the milk sugar, lactose, making Greek yogurt less likely to upset the lactose-intolerant." 

Starting this month, customers will see the shelves stocked with seven popular nonfat Greek yogurt flavors to choose from: Vanilla, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Black Cherry, Peach and Pineapple. While each flavor provides a delightful taste on its own, they also offer true versatility when incorporated into a variety of recipes, snacks and smoothies.

Sobeys Inc. to Partner with Chef Jamie Oliver

Sobeys Inc. today announced a partnership with world-renowned chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver, designed to educate, inspire and empower Canadians to eat better.

As an advocate for change and a promoter of better food internationally, Jamie Oliver will work with Sobeys stores to champion enhanced food knowledge, balanced nutrition, quality ingredients and cooking skills for Canadians. His collaboration with Sobeys will begin this fall.

"It's a real honor to be working with Sobeys, a fantastic organization that has been bringing fresh food to Canadians for 106 years now," commented Mr. Oliver. "I've always received an extremely warm welcome from Canadians, and I'm thrilled to be joining the Sobeys' team."

With a food-focused, fresh-driven offering, Sobeys has a natural appeal for Canada's increasingly health-conscious consumers. Through extensive market research, Sobeys has determined that 73 percent of Canadians say they would like to eat better than they currently do. The national food retailer will evolve its store experience and product assortment over the next several months to address customers' increasing desire for better food solutions.

"Providing quality food for Canadians has always been our passion and at the core of our business," says Marc Poulin, President & CEO, Sobeys Inc. "We recognize the needs of our customers are changing and so we're embarking on a journey to better meet those needs at Sobeys stores. Partnering with an advocate like Jamie only further enhances our commitment to delivering the best food retail experience."

For 15 years, Jamie Oliver has been inspiring people all over the world to cook and eat better food. His books and TV series are enjoyed by millions across the globe and his charity, the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation, works tirelessly to raise the profile of food education through its work in communities and schools in the UK, US and Australia. Jamie is dedicated to empowering and educating as many people as possible to learn how to cook and enjoy good food, giving them the chance to have a better future.

Seattle's Metropolitan Market Celebrates 17th Annual Peach-O-Rama

For the 17th year, Metropolitan Market, Seattle's premier independent grocery store, is bringing measurably sweeter peaches directly from two orchards in Washington and California. Just like the peaches of yesteryear, the juice runs down the chin and off the elbow when eating Peach-O-Rama peaches out of hand.

The quest to find the sweetest peach began in 1995 when CEO Terry Halverson and team were determined to improve the quality of the peaches they sold in their stores.  Halverson explains, "Jon Rowley, who teamed with us on our on Copper River Salmon, was ready to make it happen". It took two years and 2000 miles through West Coast peach country to locate the great peaches and the right growers. Many innovations ensued including a single layer peach box, unrefrigerated storage, special ripening procedures, and a Brix (sugar) standard among others. "We were so excited and impressed with the results of having the best peaches, we had to celebrate with customers, calling it Peach-O-Rama."

In the stores each day, Met Market produce team members measure Brix, or sugar levels, in Peach-O-Rama peaches using a refractometer. By using the handheld device and drizzling a little peach juice on the device, the produce team can immediately determine the level of sweetness.  The higher the Brix level, the more flavorful, aromatic, sweeter and juicier the peach. Metropolitan Markets' minimum Brix standard is 13 and some of the peaches measure 18 or higher. An average grocery chain often sells peaches that measure 11 on the Brix scale.

Customers will discover and taste additional peach treats at the culinary kiosks in each store. Specialty Peach-O-Rama items and preparations include Coy's Fruit Cobbler, Quinn's Peach Salsa, Grilled Peaches with Aged Balsamic Vinegar, Sautéed Peach-O-Rama Chicken, or Frog Hollow peach Chutney. Peach-0-Rama will continue through August and availability can be checked daily here.    

More Than One in Three Americans Consume Meat Alternatives, But Only A Fraction Are Actually Vegetarians

Only a few years ago, tofu, tempeh and seitan were barely known in the culinary world. Now, they are on grocery store shelves across America and being cooked up in the average (and often non-vegetarian) kitchen. In new research released today from Mintel, only 7 percent of consumers identify themselves as vegetarian, however 36 percent indicate the use of meat alternatives. What's more, less than half of consumers who use meat alternatives are using the products in place of real meat, and 16 percent indicate using the products alongside meat offerings.

"This data suggests that participation in the alternative meat category stretches far beyond necessity, and creates an opportunity for future growth based on the products' ability to meet general consumer food interests, such as health, price, variety and convenience," says Beth Bloom, food and drink analyst at Mintel. "The bottom line is that vegetarians and vegans aren't the only people eating "fake" meat, meat eaters are also exploring this new found protein superpower."

Health perception plays a large role in use of meat alternatives. One-third of consumers indicate using alternative meat products because they are healthy, higher than any other reason measured in the report. What's more, more than half (51 percent) of users believe they are healthier than real meat. In addition, some 31 percent are trying to reduce their meat consumption and another 31 percent say they enjoy the taste of meat alternatives.

"While meat alternatives have the potential to meet a range of consumer needs, targeted health positioning has the potential to attract the specific attention of consumers," adds Beth Bloom.

Vegan claims on new products released in the meat alternative category surpassed vegetarian claims in 2011 to take the top spot. This, combined with the fact that the "no animal ingredients" claim saw the strongest growth from 2008-12 (200 percent), is an indication that consumers are becoming more extreme in their dietary habits.

The next leading claim to see strong growth is 'GMO free' (155 percent growth, 2008-12). Given the interest in health among consumers of meat alternatives, products that can present a clean profile will be best positioned to attract the attention of shoppers.

On the other hand, not everyone is jumping on the meat-free bandwagon. The greatest percentage of nonusers (67 percent) indicate a preference for real meat, and 34 percent say they don't care for the taste of meat alternatives, while 20 percent don't like the texture.

"While, at one time, products in the category were seen as a substitute for meat consumption, the expansion of formats and flavors has allowed the category to grow beyond one of necessity to become one of desire. Product manufacturers and marketers have a chance to come out from behind the veil of "substitute" and stake a claim as a food option that stands on its own," concludes Beth Bloom.

Pasta Leader Barilla Introduces New Gluten Free Pasta Line

The gluten-free industry is expected to reach $8 billion in 2013 as more people begin to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle. Pasta is one of the foods that is missed most amongst people who are living gluten-free, and yet the options for enjoying a gluten-free pasta meal fall short, with limited brands and varieties available on store shelves. Now, Barilla, the world's leader in pasta production, is stepping in.

For more than 135 years, Barilla has been committed to making authentic, high-quality pasta for everyone to enjoy. The goal in producing the new Gluten Free pasta line is to offer convenient, versatile and tasty solutions for anyone living a gluten-free lifestyle, ensuring it is readily available at the local grocery store and easy to find.

Barilla® Gluten Free Pasta is produced in a facility in Italy that is dedicated to gluten-free and is made with a combination of non-GMO corn and rice. There are four varieties in the Gluten Free Pasta line-- Spaghetti, Penne, Rotini and Elbows-- which will be sold in 12 ounce boxes for $2.39. All four varieties will become available in select retail stores beginning in September 2013, with full national availability in early 2014.

Gluten Free is a strategic addition to the Barilla pasta portfolio and to the pasta category overall. Many consumers who are making the choice to purchase gluten-free products avoid pasta due to negative taste perceptions, high prices and limited availability. Barilla anticipates the new Gluten Free line will bring these consumers back to the pasta they love and trust.

About the Barilla Group
Barilla, originally established in 1877 as a bread and pasta shop in Parma, Italy, ranks as one of today's top Italian food groups. Barilla leads in the global pasta business, the pasta sauces business in continental Europe, the bakery products business in Italy and the crispbread business in Scandinavia.

Barilla owns 41 production sites (13 in Italy and 28 outside Italy) and exports to more than 100 countries. Every year, about 2,500,000 tons of food products under the brands of Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Voiello, Pavesi, Academia Barilla, Wasa, Harrys (France and Russia), Golden Toast (Germany), Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico), are featured on dining tables all over the world.

Barilla has become one of the world's most esteemed food companies and is recognized worldwide as a symbol of Italian know-how by respecting its longstanding traditional principles and values, considering employees a fundamental asset and developing leading-edge production systems.

For more information, please visit: www.barillagroup.com

Puffins, Barbara's Best-Selling Cereal, Now Non-GMO Verified

Barbara's new packaging of its cereals and snacks with the Non-GMO Project Verified logo is hitting store shelves nationwide this fall and tells the story of the incredible progress the brand has made since 2011 in earning Non-GMO Project Verification for its products. Shoppers will soon find the Non-GMO Project Verified label on 30 of Barbara's 37 cereals and snacks, including its popular line of Puffins cereals.

"Barbara's has always been committed to bringing consumers only the most wholesome and simple ingredients and we've always listened closely to our loyal fans," said Federico Meade, Barbara's vice president of marketing. "In a survey of our most frequent purchasers, we learned that 90 percent wanted their cereals and snacks to be GMO-free."

Meade said the path to earning Non-GMO Project Verification wasn't easy but the brand made it a top priority and invested heavily in the pursuit. After enrolling its products in the process, Barbara's learned that nearly half already met the rigorous standards for verification but that in other cases the company needed to find new Non-GMO ingredient suppliers in the United States as well as from Canada, Europe and Latin America.

"Barbara's has met or exceeded our rigorous standards for a number of products," said Megan Westgate, executive director of the Non-GMO Project. "We recognize and appreciate their hard work in sourcing Non-GMO ingredients and applaud their robust efforts."

The Non-GMO Project offers North America's only third party verification for Non-GMO food and products. They are a non-profit committed to preserving and building sources of Non-GMO products, educating consumers and providing verified Non-GMO choices.

Meade says Barbara's anticipates earning the Non-GMO Project Verification for at least two additional products in early 2014.  Consumers can find a complete list of all of Barbara's Non-GMO Project Verified products at Barbaras.com, at nongmoproject.org and by looking for the Non-GMO Project Verified label on Barbara's new packaging as it rolls out to stores from August through December.

Restaurant Gardens Sprout From EarthBox Containers

Restaurant gardens are springing up all over the country, thanks to the surging interest in local, sustainable and super-fresh produce. The use of EarthBox container gardens (www.earthbox.com) in particular have allowed restaurant owners to grow produce in unlikely places, including rooftops, patios and parking lots.

Renowned Chef Rick Bayless grows tomatoes, chili peppers and herbs on the rooftop of his restaurants, Frontera Grill, XOCO and Topolobampo, located in a 4-story building north of downtown Chicago on Clark Street. The 60 EarthBoxes in this restaurant garden overflow with fresh produce used in salsa, guacamole, sauces and garnishes.

Garden Manager Bill Shores explains why they went with Earthbox's sub-irrigated planters: "What we like best about EarthBoxes is the straightforward set-up and good trellising system. The boxes have been stored outside for five years and are still in good shape." 

As a vegan restaurant, Scranton, PA's Eden-A Vegan Cafe showcases locally grown produce. For fresh herbs, their chefs need go no further than the EarthBoxes conveniently located on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.

Hale Holistic Studio, a San Diego fitness center, serves freshly harvested EarthBox produce in the form organic green smoothies made for clients. Personal trainer Kirk Hensler remarks, "I like to provide people with food that is alive and packed with nutrients, so I usually make smoothies the day I harvest. I think clients can feel the health and vitality of the food, which is especially rewarding after a nice yoga or martial arts practice."

Hale started their EarthBox rooftop garden a year ago, and now grows spinach, kale, rainbow chard, and strawberries, among many other things.

Thanks to container gardening on rooftops and sidewalks, even chefs in urban areas can start their own restaurant gardens to supply patrons with fresh, just-picked flavor. Local food can't get much more local than that!

Sun Orchard Juicery acquires 4U2U Brands

Sun Orchard Juicery, a national craft juice company that provides a wide variety of juices and beverages to the food service industry, has purchased a majority interest in the assets of 4U2U Brands, a Richmond, Va.-based company that produces and sells a line of 100 percent juices in 8-ounce cans. The 4U2U juices are packaged under the Fruit 66 and Epic brand names and are primarily sold to K-12 schools nationwide. 

These juices meet or exceed USDA guidelines for the National School Lunch Program and are currently sold to schools through many of Sun Orchard’s existing distributor customers. The acquisition aligns with Sun Orchard’s goal of continuing to grow by offering an unmatched selection of exceptional juice products to the food service industry.

Bill Hargis, founder and president of 4U2U Brands, will continue to run the company’s daily operations while focusing heavily on its sales management.

“For more than five years we’ve seen exciting growth and new opportunities for Fruit 66 and Epic juices within the K-12 segment as well as in retail and food service, and we’re thrilled to be able to join the Sun Orchard team,” said Hargis. “Sun Orchard will provide us with the resources we need to continue our strong record of growth, as well as the invaluable relationships that they’ve earned in their 30 years in the industry, which will help us expand our reach.”

4U2U makes four different flavors of noncarbonated, 100 percent juice products under the Fruit 66 brand name, as well as four different flavors of carbonated, 100 percent juice under the Epic brand. The juices are all-natural, with no added sugars or preservatives. They come in 8-ounce aluminum cans, do not require refrigeration and have a 12-month shelf life. Both product lines meet the nutritional guidelines of the USDA, the School Nutrition Association and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.  

“We are truly looking forward to working with Bill and his team,” said Marc Isaacs, Sun Orchard president and CEO. “Bill has tremendous experience in the beverage industry and has been a pioneer for bringing juice-based beverages into the school segment since 1999, well before others saw the opportunity. His track record of product innovation and market leadership will be a great asset to Sun Orchard. We can’t wait to start building on the foundation 4U2U has established.”

For more information, please visit www.sunorchard.com.