Natural by Every Name at 2016 Natural Products Expo West
by Greg Gonzales
Consumers aren’t lone wanderers seeking sustenance and flavor in supermarket wastelands full of bland junk. Just look at the list of products at this year’s Natural Products Expo West to see why. Those attending have the chance to sample some of the best in natural products, with exhibitors debuting tasty, affordable and nutrition-packed products that fit every diet. In addition to product launches, attendees will have a chance to attend educational sessions about the industry.
Author and consumer strategist Martha Rogers will be speaking on consumer influence Thursday, March 10, to help company teams cultivate and maintain a reputation as a trustworthy brand. Attendees can also turn on, tune in and chill out in the morning at a yoga session on the Grand Plaza before hitting the show floor. Bust some myths about organic and learn how “Organic Will Feed the World” on March 9 in the Marriott Grand Ballroom. “The Business Case for Going Organic” session will answer questions anyone has about making the switch for their business, too, on March 10 in Grand Ballroom F. And on the very definition of natural, Jason Sapsin, former Associate Chief of Counsel to the FDA, will be speaking about public commentary to the FDA, on March 9 in Marriott Grand Ballroom G/H.
On the show floor, Shire City Herbals will exhibit the powerful Fire Cider brand. They’ll be introducing their new, fully-organic, African Bronze Fire Cider. It looks like something out of grandma’s medicine cabinet, in 8-ounce apothecary-style bottles, and tastes like it, too. Sweetened with raw honey and flavored with organic, whole, raw orange, lemon, onion, ginger, horseradish, habenero pepper, garlic and tumeric, this stuff has one hellacious, invigorating kick. Mix an ounce into a Bloody Mary, add some fire to a salad dressing and get creative with the eclectic blend of tangy, spicy and sweet. Email info@firecider.com for more information or stop by Hot Products.
Coffee drinkers who seek transparency, organic certification, social good and a morning jolt in a single cup might look to Ethical Bean’s booth. This certified B Corporation will be cupping its fair-trade, organic, kosher coffee to NPEW this year, including their new pre-ground Sweet Espresso blend. The team will have show-goers anticipating the perfect cup from a Ratio coffee maker, which brews machine-precision pour-over style java. And come prepared with a QR reader app: Ethical Bean packaging features a QR code that’s unique to each product, and takes people on a journey from crop to cup. Take your own journey in Hall E or call 604.431.3834 to learn more.
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You are what you eat, and in some cases, you can wear what you eat — for health benefits. La Tourangelle’s full line of 20 different oils includes its Special Reserve Hazelnut Oil, which just won the Good Food Award in January. Get a taste of France with all-new infused oils, made with fresh herbs including basil, garlic and herb de provence from a family-owned French farm. The propellant-free Sun Coco Spray has a high enough smoke point for grilling, and so does the propellant-free Avocado Oil Spray. And get vital antioxidants, vitamin E and omega 3 with the Organic Amazonian NutriBlend Oil, made from sacha inchi. Follow the savory scents around Hall E to see for yourself, and learn more from sales@latourangelle.com.
Savory and specialty desserts are going to be a hit this year with Taza Chocolate’s fresh additions to the Amaze Bar line. Taza has expanded the line to include a permanent addition of its Maple Pecan bar, and its seasonal bars will have attendees longing for a cabin in the woods. The 70 percent dark chocolate Cranberry Pumpkin Spice bar actually contains pumpkin seeds. And the 60 percent dark chocolate Gingerbread Cookie bar, with gingerbread spices and organic, gluten-free, vegan ginger snaps is sure to be a hit. Taza’s stone milled chocolate products are all certified gluten free, organic, non-GMO verified, direct trade certified, dairy free, soy free and vegan. The bars retail for $5. See how this chocolate gets you closer to the cocoa bean in Hall E or email press@tazachocolate.com.
Ancient Harvest is also looking at a big year, offering NPEW attendees a sneak peak at their new packaging and products. The new protein pasta meal kits are complete, nutritious meals with lentil and quinoa protein pasta as the base, that come in two flavors, Il Italiano and Cubanitos. Then there’s the new savory ancient grain bars, which pack 10 grams of plant-based protein and 7 grams of fiber into one bar. Try all three flavors, including Garden Vegetable, Garlic & Herb and Roasted Jalapeno. Ancient Harvest combines ancient grains and quinoa with beans and lentils to create gluten-free foods that provide the same taste, texture and valuable nutrition consumers expect from any other meal. The ancient grain bars retail for $1.89 and the meal kits go for $5.89. See how food can be easy and delicious in Hall D, and visit ancientharvest.com to learn more.
The Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA, runs March 9–12 at the Anaheim Hilton and also March 11–13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
27 Complete Chocolate Boot Camp
RCI Chocolate Boot Camp Class of 2016
Twenty-seven chocolatiers participated in Retail Confectioners International’s Chocolate Boot Camp® held February 22 through 25 at Fascia’s Chocolates in Waterbury, Connecticut. Students in the course varied in age and experience, yet each of them graduated with a better understanding of working with chocolate.
“As part of a 102 year-old business, the last thing we want to do is become complacent,” said Michael Crudden, Vice President of Operations for Rosalind Candy Castle in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. “Through my experience at Chocolate Boot Camp, I am able to take back new knowledge and ideas that will help us grow as a company.”
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Chocolate Boot Camp was taught by five confectionery and chocolate experts who have more than 150 years of combined industry experience. Lead instructor Randy Hofberger, with R&D Candy Consultants, has been an instructor at RCI’s Chocolate Boot Camp since the first course was offered in 2003. “Everyone feels like they’ve learned something they can take back to their business and that is the best part for us.”
Retail Confectioners International provides educational opportunities across the country for confectionery retailers. For information about upcoming courses and events, visit retailconfectioners.org.
Meijer Craft Beer Sales Result in Big Business for Local Breweries
Twenty years after carrying its first craft brew at a single Kalamazoo store, Meijer is selling more than 34 locally-brewed craft beers each minute in Michigan while continuing to add up-and-coming local breweries to an extensive selection that rivals specialty stores across the Midwest.
Meijer says it expects to continue five years of double-digit volume growth in craft beer sales and plans to sell more than $90 million in craft beer in 2016, including $30 million in local and hyper-local craft beers produced by breweries in Michigan. Building on the popularity of local breweries that account for 44 percent of all craft beer sold in Michigan, Meijer will carry IPAs, amber ales, stouts, and porters from 50 Michigan breweries and also expand the reach of six of the most popular local brands in the state at stores across its Midwestern footprint this year.
“What’s happening here in Michigan is a microcosm of what’s happening throughout the Midwest and across the country – the state of craft beer is thriving,” said Peter Whitsett, Executive Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing for Meijer, who notes that since 2010 the number of craft breweries Meijer carries and the space it provides for its selection has more than doubled. “Since carrying our first six packs of Bell’s Oberon in 1995, the culture of exploration in the craft beer community has continued to seek new tastes and flavors from locally-made brands. The craft partnerships we’ve forged over the last two decades are indicative of what is considered some of the best beers available in the country.”
The six breweries that will be featured in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin in 2016 include Bell’s Brewery, Founders Brewing Company, Short’s Brewing Company, New Holland Brewing Company, Atwater Brewery and Arcadia Brewing Company.
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“I remember coming to Meijer to start talking about distribution beyond our Bellaire brewery in 2006, and not yet having a production and packaging facility,” said Joe Short, Founder of Short’s Brewing Company. “The only way we could bring a sample was in a growler. They took a chance on us based on our experimental brews and that relationship not only helped build anticipation for our brand, but was pivotal in laying the foundation for our continued growth.”
Whitsett said Meijer customers can expect to see craft ciders, hard soda-flavored beers and distilled craft spirits to increase in popularity this year and that brewers will be aggressive with new innovations in barrel-aged brewing and techniques to improve consistency in each bottle or can of their brews. Whitsett also believes the popularity of hyper-localized breweries will continue to gain traction, and Michigan breweries like Perrin Brewing Company, Brewery Vivant, Dark Horse Brewery and Griffin Claw Brewing Company will continue attracting craft beer enthusiasts.
“One of the most exciting things about the craft beer world is its constant evolution, and we’re seeing more enthusiasts and casual beer drinkers shopping our aisles in their quest to find new brews and tastes from Michigan and beyond,” Whitsett said. “Being a retailer that calls Beer City U.S.A. home, it’s always been about community for us, and we’re thrilled we can help breweries expand beyond their local boundaries while providing customers across the Midwest with the craft beers they are most excited about.”
