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Organic Trade Association Petitions to Tighten Standards
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has filed two petitions with the National Organic Program to amend the national list of substances that can be used in organic production and processing.The first petition seeks to strengthen the requirement for organic ingredients, while the second aims to remove a non-organic substance from the list.OTA submitted its requests to change the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, the set of stringent guidelines that the organic industry must abide by, as a result of research that has determined that commercially viable alternatives are now available for both the materials being petitioned.OTA is petitioning ... |
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Arbor Investments Acquires Best Maid Cookie Co.
Chicago-based Arbor Investments has acquired Best Maid Cookie Co., a manufacturer and marketer of branded and private-label gourmet cookies and dessert bars. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.Founded in 1943 by Swedish immigrant baker C. Arthur Erickson, River Falls, Wis.-based Best Maid provides custom-formulated, gourmet-quality baked cookies and unique pre-portioned cookie dough products made with the freshest ingredients. In connection with the acquisition of Best Maid, Arbor said it partnered with management – led by the company’s CEO, Deb Dartsch, who is Arthur Erickson’s daughter, and president, Ron Thielen. Both executives will continue to manage Best Maid, Arbor Investments said ... |
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NY NOW Seminars and Events Add Value to the Winter Market
A comprehensive roster of educational sessions and special after-hours events will complement exciting product finds during the winter edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2015.In addition, awards for product excellence and special feature displays will spotlight and celebrate the industry’s best product designs in several categories during the show at New York’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.Industry experts will share design and color trends, social media and related marketing strategies, the basics of importing, and other business-building advice. NY NOW-hosted after-hour events include the popular “Night on Broadway” featuring specially priced tickets to ... |
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Forty-Two Store Locations Join Gourmet Catalogue in 2014
Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group has realized consistent growth, adding 42 new store member locations (31 companies) in 2014 that span the country. “We are so grateful to welcome these new store owners to the GC family,” said Janis Johnson, president and founder of Gourmet Catalog & Buying Group. “The growth within our community of stores and vendors, and the buying power we gain by bringing new members to the group is truly wonderful.”Celebrating 33 years in 2014, Gourmet Catalog works to ensure the success of independent retailers with a variety of programs and services, including discounts provided by nearly 200 ... |
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iDomains Launches New Web Address for Organic Community
Leading organic producers and organizations have registered their .Organic Web addresses available to qualified organic companies.The domain is now open for registration by all bona fide organic community members, and iDomains, a full-service registrar, is waiving the first year registration fee for customers who register for their .Organic Web addresses before Nov. 30.Available only to companies and organizations that are certified or otherwise meet stringent eligibility requirements, the Web portal has already attracted name brands, including Stonyfield.organic, Applegate.organic, Bitsys.organic, Nibmor.organic, Lagrama.organic, Pact.organic, and industry organizations including RodaleInstitute.organic, OMRI.organic and IFOAM.organic.The domain was founded to make it easier for consumers to ... |
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Food Trends for 2015 Include More Global Cuisine, Grains, Matcha
Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) has identified its top 10 culinary trends that will stand out on restaurant menus, expand onto grocery shelves and attract consumer attention across the United States in 2015. Next year, consumers’ food preferences will be driven by a continued interest in global cuisines, balanced nutrition, community connections and a desire for adventurous eating experiences. Look for these culinary trends to expand and grow next year as they move from the cutting edge into our popular foodscape: Advanced Asian: From Filipino food to a new generation of Thai, not one but a host of more complex and true-to-region ... |
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Rodelle Completes Expansion of Vanilla Plant
Rodelle Inc., a producer of premium vanilla extract, baking essentials and gourmet spices, recently opened a new vanilla extraction and bottling facility in Fort Collins, Colo. The 32,000-square-foot addition was customized to meet the company’s needs. The expanded 65,000-square-foot facility, which employs 67 associates, includes a state-of-the-art vanilla extraction facility and takes advantage of innovative technology and efficient bottling, combining all aspects of the business into one location. “Rodelle’s ability to produce premium vanilla extract and baking essentials, coupled with increased demands, necessitated the expansion to accommodate future production demands,” said Joe Basta, co-owner. With increased output and the ability ... |
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Natural, Organic Food Purchased by About One-Third of Canadians
Just over a third of Canadians either regularly purchase certified organic foods and beverages, or seek out “all-natural” foods and beverages, according to survey data published by market research firm Packaged Facts. The Canadian organic and natural foods and beverages market managed an impressive compound annual growth rate of more than 9 percent between 2009 and 2013, well above the annual growth rate of 3 percent seen for all retail food sales. The findings are featured in the recently released report “Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages in Canada.” The reasons Canadian consumers purchase natural and organic foods and beverages ... |
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Bakery Brand Wolferman’s Adds Categories, Revamps Website
Wolferman’s, a purveyor of specialty baked goods, has announced a re-branding launch with a new look and an expanded assortment of bakery gifts, gourmet food offerings and specially blended coffees. The new additions are now available on the company’s redesigned Wolferman’s website. Wolferman’s has broadened its focus to include a wide array of gourmet bakery offerings, including a variety of secondary-use containers, coffee mugs, cookie jars and more. Honing in on kitchen classics with a contemporary twist, customers may now indulge in a breakfast and brunch category, which offers savory creations such as a spinach and mushroom strata, an artichoke ... |
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Askinosie Partners With Bloggers to Create Chocolate Bar
Askinosie Chocolate’s newest bar in its award-winning CollaBARation line – Dark Chocolate + Coconut Sugar & Toasted Coconut – was created in partnership with ultra-popular lifestyle blog, A Beautiful Mess. For the sixth bar in Askinosie Chocolate’s CollaBARation line, the company partnered with local Springfield, Mo., natives, Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman, the sisters behind the blog, A Beautiful Mess, known for its whimsical DIYs and twists-on-classic recipes. This unique chocolate bar echoes that fun approach and blends 65 percent lightly refined dark chocolate with organic coconut sugar for a bar that is then topped with toasted coconut. “It’s really ... |
