Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO form ‘The Land of Balsamico’
The Balsamic Vinegar of Modena & Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Consortia officially bring “The Land of Balsamico,” a collaborative project that unites their shared goals and mission, to the United States. The new venture aims to protect and promote both Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO concurrently. In addition, the two Consortia aspire to explore new market opportunities and continue to establish the image of the beloved Modenese duo at home and abroad.
A masterful interpreter of Italian cuisine, Chef Missy Robbins will serve as the initiative’s chef ambassador. Robbins, who owns and helms celebrated Williamsburg restaurants Lilia and MISI, along with pasta and Italian specialty product line and boutique MISIPASTA, is a natural choice for the role. Her love of Italian culture began when she embarked on an excursion to Northern Italy, where she worked in several kitchens, from family-run rustic trattorias to Michelin-rated restaurants, and grew intimate with the country’s products and cooking. Robbins quickly developed a long-lasting admiration for the simplicity, regional inspiration and innate focus on quality ingredients – including Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
“I am honored to be the chef ambassador for Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO for 2024. I have devoted the last 20 + years of my career to studying the craft of Italian cooking, but more importantly to the protected products that make the cuisine so special and unique. I still remember my first visit to an acetaia, where these products are crafted. You can not understand the ingredient until you see it in full production and learn the history behind it.”
Enrico Corsini, the president of the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Consortium also serves as president of the newly formed entity; Balsamic Vinegar of Modena Consortium President Mariangela Grosoli is vice president.
“This debut project will focus on markets abroad in particular, where these products are greatly copied and imitated,” notes Corsini. “Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a protagonist of Made in Italy excellence on the world scene, and the United States is one of the countries with the highest export rate for this product; it thus becomes strategic for us to participate in initiatives like this one to increase education and protection around Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.”
Says Grosoli, “The US represents nearly 26 percent of our market, which demonstrates that its consumers appreciate and seek out authentic, Italian products like Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. This is an opportunity to endorse authenticity, to dialogue with others in the industry, and to convey the complexity and preciosity of the world of Balsamico, both from a historical point of view that sees centuries-old traditions at the heart of both PGI and PDO products, as well as an economic one with a market – specifically that of PGI – that produces around 100 million liters of product annually for a global turnover that reaches nearly a billion euros, with an export that exceeds the 90 percent.”
Additional goals of The Land of Balsamico include improving product placement through research and market studies; exploring potential export markets; and increasing marketing opportunities on a national, community, and international level. The Land of Balsamico also hopes to develop initiatives that reinforce economic competitiveness, promoting the online distribution of both Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO.
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Chosen Foods Obtains B Corporation Certification
Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and one of few on shelves that is guaranteed to be 100% pure, is certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). This accomplishment reinforces the brand’s commitment to a range of sustainable practices encompassing environmental performance, business standards, governance, community involvement and customer engagement.
To achieve B Corp Certification, companies must undergo a rigorous assessment process and meet a B Impact Assessment score of at least 80. Chosen Foods exceeded the requirements, demonstrating its years-long commitment to and presence of accountability and transparency through its mission-driven business.
“We’re honored to receive this certification as a proof point of our commitment to positively impacting people and our planet,” said Douglas MacFarlane, CEO. “From day one, we’ve been dedicated to building a responsible business through our better-for-you kitchen staples that replace bad fats with good fats from 100 percent pure avocado oil. Becoming B Corp Certified is an exciting milestone in recognition of these efforts and we’re proud to join the growing movement of companies working to create the positive change we need to see in the world.”
Chosen Foods considers the effects of its business and operational decisions on all its stakeholders (not just shareholders) to make a positive, material impact on society and the environment. As part of its business model for good and governing documents, the company has taken several key steps that led to it achieving B Corp Certification. These include:
- Using primarily bruised or damaged avocados that would otherwise end up in waste streams to make its 100% pure avocado oil.
- Thoroughly monitoring potential environmental impacts through regular visits to suppliers’ operations to ensure waste reduction practices and growing practices are aligned with Chosen Foods’ expectations and standards.
- Transforming any leftover matter from the oil extraction process into natural gas, animal feed, or fertilizer for farming purposes.
- Adhering to environmentally friendly purchasing procedures by routinely conducting packaging footprint assessments to review the environmental impact of packaging from conception through the sale of the product.
- Purchasing carbon offsets for all of Chosen Foods’ scope 1 and 2 emissions and a percentage of its scope 3 emissions.
- Facilitating a process of tracking all greenhouse emissions to ensure a cleaner business model and a safer planet.
Chosen Foods is dedicated to offering consumers better-for-you kitchen staples with its 100% pure avocado oil, ensuring the quality and purity of its products. By achieving B Corp status, Chosen Foods is committed to contributing to sustainable and economic system change while delivering products that are better for people and the planet.
Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and Avocado Oil Spray, is always 100% pure, made with good fats from avocados, has a neutral taste, and is great for high-heat cooking (up to 500°F). Chosen Foods Avocado Oil is a versatile cooking staple and kitchen must-have that is great for general cooking, grilling, baking and more. The brand also makes additional pantry staples made with 100% pure avocado oil including: mayo, salad dressings, dip & drizzle sauces, and chocolate hazelnut spread. Learn more at www.chosenfoods.com/.
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Swamp Dragon Hot Sauce Reluctantly Suspends Operations
Matt Beeson created Swamp Dragon hot sauce for those who love hot sauce but don’t like the vinegary taste. Beeson created the world’s first hot sauce made with liquor as a preservative, not vinegar. He put a lovable dragon cartoon on the label, so families would know it’s still kid-friendly.
Making Swamp Dragon and growing the brand was a passion for Beeson. He’s been networking to find the resources to keep Swamp Dragon going, but has been unable to. (Read more in the April/May issue of Gourmet News.) Now, Beeson has made the heartbreaking decision to suspend operations.
“Swamp Dragon is officially suspending operations,” Beeson wrote on his LinkedIn page, the company website and other social media, this time featuring a sad dragon. “We will continue filling web orders until inventory depletes (very soon, so go now if you care to), and then the company will remain idle until I fix things.
“I am sorry that most or none of you have had, and may never have, Chocolate Bourbon Hot Sauce or Piña Colada Hot Sauces. The flavors I am able to achieve without vinegar are unlike anything before, and cannot be had by any other than my patented method.
“This company and invention is a source of deep pride for me. Suspending the operation does not change that. With the help of supporters, family, volunteers and more, Swamp Dragon made a very real splash. Alas, with insufficient funding, the runway WILL expire. It did.
“As I suspend things, I walk away from massive sales and business opportunity that was always and still is there. The product is delicious, incomparable, and very easy to sell. It’s a f$%King shame of the highest order.
“Hopefully soon, I will have the necessary resources to relaunch properly. Thank you all so very much for your support, advice, patronage, and love.
“I cannot say with any certainty that I will relaunch. But it is the plan. Don’t give up on me.
:Now that’s out, so maybe I can get a little more vocal about finding my next job. Hire me!”
Once again, Gourmet News will feature more on Beeson’s quest to save Swamp Dragon in the April/May issue. Subscribe now so you don’t miss it!
