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NatureSweet, Barilla Present ‘Salads Done Right’

NatureSweet, North America’s leading vertically integrated agricultural company and the top selling brand in snacking tomatoes is teaming up with Barilla, the world’s leading pasta maker, to transform salads with the launch of their co-branded campaign, “Salads Done Right,” offering a new spin on salads.

The combination of NatureSweet Cherubs snacking tomatoes — packed with antioxidants — and Barilla’s newest addition to its line of Protein+ pastas – Cellentani (pronounced, “CHELL’-en-tah-nee”) — boosts the nutritional value of each salad. Barilla Protein+ Cellentani is a corkscrew shape pasta made with classic golden wheat and protein from chickpeas, lentils and peas. The pasta combined with sweet snacking tomatoes is a fusion of flavors and textures that elevate any salad to a delicious and nutritious meal.

“This partnership is creating mouthwatering summer pasta salads that are packed with protein, fiber, calcium, and even more vitamins and minerals,” says Lori Castillo, NatureSweet vice president of marketing. “Our fresh and sweet snacking tomatoes complement the pasta recipes beautifully, the perfect balance— light, refreshing, and satisfying— for families on-the-go, embarking on their next summer adventure.”

In addition to inspiring recipes, the “Salads Done Right” campaign will feature strategically located signage in both produce and pasta aisles, captivating custom displays, retail media placements, and targeted digital advertising to engage online consumers at Kroger and ShopRite stores.

“Pasta salad season is one of our favorite times of the year at Barilla,” says Angie Cotter, U.S. pasta brand marketing director, Barilla Americas. “Pasta is truly the perfect base to any salad and the addition of NatureSweet snacking tomatoes is a great pairing. We hope that our partnership together inspires fans to get creative in the kitchen as they prep for BBQs, picnics or weekly meals.”

For a summer filled with flavor and nutrition, NatureSweet and Barilla invite you to explore new ways to add protein to your diet through their exciting range of salad creations such as:
Barilla Protein+ Cellentani Caprese Pasta Salad with NatureSweet Cherubs
Cellentani Antipasto Pasta Salad with Cherubs
Penne with Spring Vegetables

The Barilla and NatureSweet campaign will run from May 27 to July 13.

NatureSweet is the single-source solution for greenhouse-grown vegetables and is the #1 best-selling brand in snacking tomatoes. The largest vertically integrated agriculture company in North America, NatureSweet guarantees great tasting produce year-round, both organic and conventional. Our vegetables are carefully grown, harvested, and packaged by more than 6,000 directly employed company associates.

NatureSweet tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers are handpicked at the peak of freshness and sold at major supermarket retailers throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. NatureSweet is dedicated to having a positive social, environmental, and economic impact within our communities, and our commitment is to transform the lives of agricultural workers throughout North America. This work, as well as our efforts regarding sustainability, have led us to earn B Corp, Fair Trade, and the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) certifications.

Barilla is a family business, not listed on the Stock Exchange, chaired by the brothers Guido, Luca and Paolo Barilla. It was founded by their great-grandfather Pietro Barilla, who opened a bakery in Parma in 1877. Today, Barilla is renowned in Italy and around the world for the excellence of its food products. With its brands – Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Pan di Stelle, Gran Cereale, Harrys, Pavesi, Wasa, Filiz, Yemina and Vesta, Misko, Voiello, Academia Barilla, First, Catelli, Lancia, Splendor, Back To Nature and Pasta Evangelists – it advocates tasty, hearty and nutrition, inspired by the Mediterranean Diet and the Italian lifestyle.

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Blue Diamond Launches Limited-Edition Ranch Flavored Almonds

Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s leading almond marketer and processor, has launched Ranch Flavored Almonds. With cool, zesty herbs and spices, these limited-edition almonds pack a delicious, ranch-flavored punch along with a satisfying, crave-worthy crunch.

Blue Diamond is a world-class leader in consumer trend analysis and flavor forecasting, which has led to award-winning flavor additions including the 2023 People magazine Food Award winner Chilé ‘N Lime, a now permanent product in the snack portfolio, and the 2024 Good HousekeepingBest Snack Award winning Thin Dipped Double Dark Chocolate.

Recent research found 70 percent of ranch usage occurs outside the salad bowl, presenting an exciting opportunity to introduce a flavor that consumers are craving across all food varieties, just in time for summer.

“We’re so excited to bring a flavor that is loved by so many to our Blue Diamond snack portfolio,” said Maya Erwin, vice president, marketing & innovation. “We’re always looking for new ways to incorporate trending flavors into our products, and with Ranch, we hope our customers feel inspired to take their taste buds to a new level of deliciousness.”

Blue Diamond’s Ranch Flavored Almonds are not only flavorful, but also nutritious. Each serving contains six grams of plant protein and is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin E. These almonds meet various dietary needs, being Kosher, Keto-certified, and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Available in a variety of sizes, the 6-ounce, 40-ounce and 45-ounce options are portable and resealable, making Ranch Almonds the perfect addition for summer entertainment, family gatherings or whenever hunger strikes! The limited-edition flavor will be available in select sizes at the following retail locations:

  • Walmart – 6-ounce cans will be available May to October.
  • Costco – 45-ounce bags will be available May while supplies last.
  • Sam’s Club – 40-ounce bags will be available August while supplies last.

For more information on Blue Diamond Almonds, visit BlueDiamond.com

Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops.

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Study Shows Efficiency of Vollrath Food Processor

An independent study conducted this past year examining the performance of The Vollrath Company‘s Insta Cut® 5.1 manual food processor compared to using traditional knife skills delivered impressive proof of the efficiency and labor-saving capabilities.

According to the study, the Insta Cut 5.1 manual food processor cut a tomato into a quarter-inch dice up to 74 percent faster than a chef using only a knife. It was up to 66 percent faster when dicing onions, stressing its exceptional speed and precision in specific food preparation tasks.

The Insta Cut 5.1 has the potential to pay for itself with labor savings alone over the course of a year, making it a cost-effective investment for foodservice establishments that strive to optimize their operations. It also reduces food waste, which results in additional savings. For operations with several locations, it helps ensure consistency between locations by reducing human errors.

“Vollrath’s Insta Cut 5.1 manual food processor is not a high-tech tool, but it is a huge time saver in the commercial kitchen,” comments Becky Guentner, Vollrath’s product manager for Countertop Equipment. “The time and labor savings it can provide are significant in an industry where margins are increasingly slim.”

Vollrath will showcase the Insta Cut 5.1 as well as a wide variety of its comprehensive foodservice equipment, smallwares and serving systems at the National Restaurant Association Show from May 18 to 21 in Chicago. Attendees are invited to visit Vollrath’s booth, #4420, to learn more about its innovative products and solutions.

Founded in 1874 and based in Sheboygan, Wis., The Vollrath Company is a privately held, family-owned and, today, a six- and seventh-generation woman-owned company. It has nine factories spread across the United StatesEurope and China that manufacture products to exacting quality standards globally, backed by outstanding customer service. The company focuses on quality design, engineering and manufacturing across its business divisions for foodservice and custom and specialty products. For more information, visit vollrathcompany.com.

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