Gourmet News

Midwest Dairy Sets Cheers for Cherries as Fair Flavor

Published July 13, 2023

After weeks of anticipation and enthusiastic participation from ice cream lovers across Minnesota, Midwest Dairy is thrilled to announce Cheers for Cherries is the triumphant flavor of the 2023 Flavor of the Fair contest. Cheers for Cherries will be available for all to enjoy exclusively at the Dairy Goodness Bar in the Dairy Building at the Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 24-Sept. 4. Cookie Time and Churro Your Way were close contenders.

“Cheers for Cherries truly embodies the essence of the dairy goodness and environmental friendliness Midwest Dairy farm families work to provide,” said Liz Stiras, marketing and communications manager for Midwest Dairy. “We are thrilled to showcase Cheers for Cherries as the official Flavor of the Fair to celebrate Minnesota and the dairy community at this year’s State Fair.”

Cheers for Cherries will be served as a sundae or malt and comes with cherries and a decadent drizzle of dark chocolate on top. The flavor now joins the esteemed lineage of past Flavor of the Fair winners, including Key Lime Crumble in 2022, You Betcha Berry in 2020, Birthday Batter Blast in 2019, That’s S’More Like It in 2018, Pie in the Sky in 2017, Call it Breakfast in 2016, and Salted Caramel Puff in 2015.

Midwest Dairy farmers are committed to making high quality dairy products with nutritional benefits in the most sustainable way possible, which why they have committed to reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Most ingredients in the Flavor of the Fair ice creams come from Minnesota-based farms.

Midwest Dairy would like to thank everyone who voted and made the 10^th annual contest a success. In just two months fair attendees can indulge in this delectable treat and create cherished memories at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Midwest Dairy represents 4,800 dairy farm families and works on their behalf to build dairy demand by inspiring consumer confidence in our products and production practices. We are committed to Bringing Dairy to Life! by Giving Consumers an Excellent Dairy Experience and are funded by farmers across a 10-state region, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. For more information, visit MidwestDairy.com, and follow us Facebook and YouTube.

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US Foods Completes Renzi Foodservice Acquisition

Published July 10, 2023

US Foods Holding Corp. has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of Renzi Foodservice, a broadline distributor located in Watertown, N.Y. The transaction closed July 7. The acquisition enables US Foods to further expand its reach into central upstate New York where the company does not have a distribution center.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. To learn more about the Renzi Foodservice acquisition, please view the company’s May 19, 2023 press release announcement here.

US Foods is one of America’s largest food companies and a leading foodservice distributor, partnering with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators to help their businesses succeed. With 70 broadline locations and more than 85 cash and carry stores, US Foods and its 29,000 associates provides its customers with a broad and innovative food offering and a comprehensive suite of e-commerce, technology and business solutions. US Foods is headquartered in Rosemont, Ill.

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Heinz, Hot Dog Champ Protest ‘Mistreatment’ of Franks

Published July 6, 2023

Heinz has launched the “Hot Dogs Are Not a Contest” movement to end the mistreatment of hot dogs – depriving them of necessary condiments – once and for all. Just minutes after the world’s most famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, the brand and six-time Hot Dog-Eating Contest Champion, Takeru Kobayashi, rallied for justice by giving runners-up a chance at redemption. The first losing finalist who eats a hot dog the right way – with love, admiration, and of course, Heinz condiments – will win $10,000, matching the Hot Dog Eating Contest’s prize money.

While 94 percent of fans prefer their hot dogs covered in crave-worthy condiments, every year, contestants continue to mistreat hundreds of franks. They dunk the buns in water and swallow dozens of franks whole – all without condiments and the joy they bring. Now Heinz is taking a stand against the horror in partnership with grassroots organizer, Francis Weiner and Kobayashi.

“After participating in this contest for many years, I can attest to the mistreatment of hot dogs first-hand and admit to doing it myself,” says Kobayashi. “I recognize now that I was woefully misguided, and I want to make it right by joining the movement. I am done with Hot Dog Eating Contests, and I encourage contestants and fans everywhere to see the light – hot dogs aren’t hot dogs without condiments.”

Immediately following The Hot Dog Eating Contest, Heinz gave losing finalists a chance at redemption – by simply enjoying a frank properly – dressed in Heinz condiments. The first runner-up to film themself savoring a hot dog with at least one Heinz condiment and direct message it to the @Heinz Instagram will win. The prize includes $10,000 – a match to the contest’s official prize money – and all the condiment-filled bragging rights.

“After recently launching our new global creative platform, ‘It Has to be Heinz ,’ this is a perfect moment to continue shining a light on the irrational love that fans have for Heinz ,” says Megan Lang, director of brand communications, Heinz . “There’s an entire contest dedicated to how people eat hot dogs. As the condiment category leader, we’re sure our fans agree that hot dogs are best when enjoyed with Heinz.”

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