Gourmet News

Exclusive: ADF Foods Unveils Truly Indian at Natural Products Expo West

Published March 6, 2024

EXCLUSIVE TO GOURMET NEWS

ADF Foods, a fourth-generation, family-owned leader in gourmet frozen and shelf-stable Indian foods, presents a new brand, Truly Indian, that celebrates ADF Foods’ rich culinary legacy while delivering exceptional craftsmanship and quality to the U.S. market.

The unveiling will take place at Natural Products Expo West on Thursday, March 14, at the Truly Indian booth number #524.

“Truly Indian represents a culinary journey dedicated to bringing the best freshly prepared Indian food to your home,” says Bimal Thakkar, CEO of ADF Foods, “With a commitment to quality and a dedication to preserving the rich flavors of India, we are excited to bring the diverse and vibrant tastes of our homeland to American households.”

Truly Indian, the latest addition to the ADF Foods family of brands, embodies this culinary legacy with a commitment to authenticity and artisanal quality. It offers a range of freshly crafted Indian foods, marking an exciting chapter in delivering the Indian food experience to the West.

Established in 1932 as a humble storefront in Mumbai, ADF Foods has evolved into a global producer of over 400 diverse products, serving families in 55 countries. From delectable frozen snacks and meals to robust cooking sauces and shelf-stable ready-to-eat entrees, each product is freshly made in India using time-honored small-batch techniques and artisanal craftsmanship.

With meticulous attention to detail, ADF Foods’ chefs artfully blend fresh, healthy ingredients with the finest Indian spices, ensuring that every Truly Indian dish is bursting with flavor.

Plant-Based Entrees

Plant-Based Butter Chik’n (Frozen): A plant-based take on the classic flavors of Butter Chicken in a convenient frozen format

Samosas
Vegetable Samosa: A flavorful blend of vegetables encased in a golden, crispy pastry, perfect for sharing. Approximately 80 percent of Indian restaurants in the US feature ADF Foods’ samosas.
Jumbo Vegetable Samosa: A larger version of the classic samosa, promising an indulgent bite.

Naan
Tandoori Naan: Soft and pillowy naan bread, expertly baked to perfection, ideal for pairing with a variety of dishes.
Tandoori Garlic Naan: Infused with aromatic garlic, this naan elevates any meal with its bold flavors.

Vegan Cooking Sauces
Butter Chicken Sauce: A luscious, plant-based rendition of the beloved Butter Chicken sauce.
Tikka Masala Sauce: Rich and aromatic, this vegan Tikka Masala sauce brings t
he essence of Indian cuisine to your kitchen.
Madras Curry Sauce: A harmonious blend of spices in a vegan curry sauce, offering a taste of Southern India.
Vindaloo Sauce: Bold and spicy, this vegan Vindaloo sauce is an invitation to savor the flavors of Goa.

Ready to Eat Meal Pouches, Vegan Entrees
Curried Chickpeas (Chana Masala): Chickpeas simmered in a fragrant curry, creating a hearty and satisfying dish.
Spiced Lentil & Bean Chili (Dal Makhani): A comforting blend of spiced lentils and beans, offering a true taste of North India.
Creamed Spinach & Tofu Curry (Palak Tofu Paneer): A creamy and indulgent spinach and tofu curry that’s both nourishing and delicious.
Potato Pea Curry (Aloo Matar): A classic combination of potatoes and peas in a flavorful curry, reminiscent of home-cooked comfort.

Ready to Eat Meal Pouches, Vegan Rice
Tikka Masala Rice: Fragrant basmati rice paired with the iconic Tikka Masala sauce, creating a convenient and tasty meal.
Bombay Biryani: Aromatic and flavorful, this vegan Biryani showcases the culinary diversity of India.

Roti Wraps, Indian Street Food
Cottage Cheese & Green Pepper (Paneer Tikka): A fusion of flavors wrapped in a soft roti, capturing the essence of Indian street food.
Tandoori Spiced Potato (Tandoori Aloo): Spiced potato filling wrapped in a tandoori-flavored roti, offering a satisfying and flavorful bite.
Cauliflower and Potato (Aloo Gobi): A medley of cauliflower and potato, encased in a soft roti for a handheld delight.
Cottage Cheese & Biryani (Paneer Biryani): A marriage of paneer and biryani, expertly wrapped in a roti for a convenient and savory treat.
For sales inquiries, contact Rasa Kumar, senior vice president, Truly Indian, Rasa@adf-foods.com

Truly Indian is a proud member of the ADF Foods family of brands. Born out of the rich culinary heritage of ADF Foods, Truly Indian is committed to delivering authentic and flavorful Indian foods. With a focus on quality, tradition, and innovation, Truly Indian brings the diverse and popular flavors of India to tables around the world. http://www.trulyindianfoods.com/

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UNFI Names Tarditi Chief Financial Officer, Succeeding Howard

Published March 6, 2024

United Natural Foods, Inc. has named Giorgio “Matteo” Tarditi president and chief financial officer, effective April 15. He succeeds John W. Howard, UNFI’s current CFO, who will leave the company following a transition period.

Sandy Douglas, CEO and President of UNFI, said: “Matteo is a proven executive who, over the course of his more than 26 years at GE, served as CFO for seven business units, including Renewable Energy and Energy Connections as externally reported segments, and large divisions of the Power, Oil & Gas, Aerospace, and Healthcare businesses. His deep financial expertise and knowledge of these businesses enabled him to successfully drive operational excellence, efficiency, and increased productivity in complex transformations and M&A integrations.

“A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, he also led the development and implementation of processes that have increased forecast accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement. We are pleased to welcome Matteo to our team and look forward to his contributions,” Douglas said.

“We also want to thank John Howard for his years of dedicated service and leadership. John played an instrumental role in the integration efforts following the 2018 SUPERVALU acquisition and in helping UNFI navigate the challenges of the global pandemic. I have greatly appreciated his counsel since I joined UNFI.”

In his new role, Tarditi will oversee corporate finance, treasury, strategy, financial planning and analysis, tax, accounting, investor relations, risk management and shared services.

“I am thrilled to join UNFI’s talented team, renowned for its customer-centric and collaborative culture,” said Tarditi. “I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the mission of feeding families across North America and to support the customer- and supplier-driven strategy and transformation plan for the company. I look forward to leading the finance organization and partnering with the people who make UNFI the market leader and a company that delivers profitable growth and value creation for shareholders.”

Tarditi began his career with GE in 1997 and held positions of increasing responsibility in Healthcare, where he served as CFO of GE Healthcare Japan from 2005 to 2007; in GE Aerospace, where he served as CFO of Avio Aero—GE Aviation from 2013 to 2015; in GE Oil & Gas, where he served as CFO, Drilling and Production from 2010 to 2013; in GE Grid Solutions, where he served as CFO from 2015-2016; in GE Energy Connections, where he served as CFO from 2016 to 2017; in GE Power Services, where he served as CFO in 2018; in GE Renewable Energies, where he served as CFO from 2019 to 2021; and in GE Corporate, where he served as Group Financial Planning & Analysis Leader from 2021 to present.

A frequent speaker on global leadership, turnarounds, mergers and acquisitions, and talent motivation Tarditi holds a master of science degree in finance and business administration from Universita Bocconi in Milan, Italy.

UNFI is North America’s premier grocery wholesaler delivering the widest variety of fresh, branded, and owned brand products to more than 30,000 locations throughout North America, including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce providers, and food service customers. UNFI also provides a broad range of value-added services and segmented marketing expertise, including proprietary technology, data, market insights, and shelf management to help customers and suppliers build their businesses and brands. As the largest full-service grocery partner in North America, UNFI is committed to building a food system that is better for all and is uniquely positioned to deliver great food, more choices, and fresh thinking to customers. To learn more about how UNFI is delivering value for its stakeholders, visit www.unfi.com.

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Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs, NotSausages Debut at Natural Products West Expo

Published March 6, 2024

The Kraft Heinz Not Company LLC debuted NotHotDogs and NotSausages, the first plant-based Oscar Mayer offerings and the first plant-based meat innovation from the joint venture between The Kraft Heinz Company and TheNotCompany, Inc. With its mission to create mouthwatering plant-based foods for all, The Kraft Heinz Not Company’s Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages offer the savory and smoky experience that brand fans have known and loved for more than 140 years.

Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages offer fans the smoky, savory taste, meaty color, and thick, juicy bite they are craving in plant-based alternatives. The new innovations will debut at Expo West (booth #N1732) from March 12-16 and are set to begin rolling out in major retailers nationwide later in 2024.

The United States plant-based market is projected to skyrocket from $8.3 billion in 2023 to $19 billion by 2030. However, plant-based hot dogs and dinner sausage links remain underdeveloped and under-consumedwithin the broader plant-based meat category, largely due to disappointment in existing offerings’ taste and texture. With Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages – available in Bratwurst and Italian sausage flavors – The Kraft Heinz Not Company aims to deliver on these needs and consumers’ evolving preference in the plant-based space.

“At The Kraft Heinz Not Company, our goal is to create mouthwatering, plant-based foods that are delicious and accessible for everyone – from the devoted vegan to the plant-based curious,” says Lucho Lopez-May, CEO, The Kraft Heinz Not Company. “We know people are hungry for plant-based meat options from brands they know and trust. In launching the joint venture’s first product in the plant-based meat category, we saw an opportunity to satisfy these consumer cravings, leveraging NotCo’s revolutionary AI technology and the power, equity, and legacy of the Oscar Mayer brand.”

The launch of Oscar Mayer NotHotDogs and NotSausages is the latest example of The Kraft Heinz Not Company’s ambition to bring great-tasting plant-based innovations to market faster than ever before. Further, the launch marks another exciting step in the joint venture’s continued expansion of its plant-based portfolio, which includes KRAFT NotMac&Cheese, KRAFT NotCheese Slices, and NotMayo. Looking to the year ahead, The Kraft Heinz Not Company plans to scale into additional categories and recently began its international expansion.

For more information and to stay up to date on all things Kraft Heinz, Oscar Mayer, and NotCo, follow along on Instagram (@kraftheinz , @oscarmayer, @NotCoUS) and TikTok (@hereatkraftheinz , @oscarmayer, @NotCoUS).

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