Gourmet News

Wilton Unveils Gingerbread Boy Shaped Sprinkles Mix

Published November 21, 2024

Wilton, a leader in baking and decorating, proudly unveils its new limited-edition holiday packaging. This is the first in a series of special edition packages that will roll out throughout the next year for America’s favorite holidays. Each colorful design features Wilton “gift tags” tailored to reflect the distinctive hues and icons of the holiday beginning with Christmas, followed by Valentine’s Day, Spring/Easter, and Halloween. Alongside this festive debut, Wilton introduces innovative icing decorations to help put the finishing touch on all your baked goods this season.

Designed to mirror the excitement and joy associated with gift-giving and holiday festivities, Wilton’s holiday packaging artfully resembles wrapping paper, making each product a perfect present for the baker in your life. The design sports the updated Wilton logo, a modern color palette and food imagery to draw shoppers in and inspire creativity.

“Our holiday packaging encapsulates the spirit of giving and celebration that defines this joyful time of year,” said Shanta McGahey, Wilton’s Director of Masterbrand and Community. “Our festive, seasonal packaging is designed to inspire bakers and decorators of all skill levels to embrace the magic of holiday baking while sharing the spirit of the season through their favorite recipes.”

The special edition Christmas line includes Wilton’s newest icing decorations, which introduce a delightful twist on beloved holiday themes with cherished shapes like Santa, gingerbread men, and penguins. Nostalgic peppermint flavor is featured in the Christmas Peppermint Crunch Sprinkles and Edible Peppermint Candy Spoons. The playful, new Gingerbread Boy Sprinkle Mix is a highlight of this year’s holiday lineup.

“These new products reflect our continued commitment to bring joy and creativity to every baker’s kitchen,” said John Hollfelder, Senior Brand and Product Manager at Wilton. “We aim to inspire new holiday traditions for baking beginners and provide the perfect opportunity for baking enthusiasts to share their passion for creating sweet moments with loved ones.”

For over 95 years, Wilton products have been cherished by bakers and decorators around the world. Their unwavering commitment to quality and innovation propels the brand forward year after year and this holiday season is no exception. The special edition packaging will be available at major retailers nationwide, including Hy-Vee, Kroger, Meijer, Target, Wegmans, and Walmart.

Since 1929, Wilton has been a pioneer in baking, decorating, and education with a commitment to making baking and decorating accessible and enjoyable for all. Today, Wilton continues to champion adding sparkle and fun to any occasion with an array of renowned baking and decorating products in over 105 countries and skill-building classes at the Wilton Sweet Studio. From avid bakers to novice beginners, Wilton’s expansive product line and expert guidance are designed to help create sweeter moments. Be inspired at www.wilton.com.

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IFT Bestows Section Impact Awards for Food Science Industry

Published November 21, 2024

The Institute of Food Technologists, a nonprofit scientific organization committed to advancing the science of food and its application across the global food system, recognized five IFT Sections this year with its new IFT Section Impact Award. IFT Sections allow food science professionals to network with their local peers through a variety of events and opportunities, including supplier nights. IFT has 47 Sections spread across the U.S., as well as Mexico, Japan, England, and Canada.

Each winning section, which received a monetary prize to be used for continued local programming, was recognized at IFT FIRST 2024, IFT’s popular global event celebrating Food Improved by Research, Science, and Technology.

One award was presented to each Section in the following categories:

Innovative Section Programming
Grants and Scholarships
Student Engagement
Section Outreach
Advocacy and Public Policy

“Sections are integral to the success of IFT’s global community, providing both virtual and in-person networking opportunities throughout the year where professionals working in the science of food can learn from one another and build their careers,” said IFT CEO Christie Tarantino-Dean. “Over the years, IFT Sections have had a tremendous impact on their local communities, and we are proud to recognize those contributions with the launch of the IFT Section Impact Awards.”

Here is a summary of each winner:

Impact Award for Innovative Section Programming
The New York Section of IFT was selected as the Section Programming winner in recognition of its two sold out events this year that focused on artificial intelligence and the future impacts of AI in the food industry. Established in 1942, NYIFT includes members from Northern and Central New Jersey, New York City, and Southeastern New York State (excluding Long Island). The Section Chair is retired PepsiCo executive Spencer Sullivan.

Impact Award for Grants and Scholarships
The recipient of the grants and scholarships award was the Alamo Section of IFT from San Antonio, Texas. Geographically the largest IFT section, the Alamo Section covers South Texas, including Austin, San Antonio, College Station, Houston, Laredo, and the Rio Grande Valley. The Alamo Section, which was recognized as an IFT Section of Excellence in 2019-2020, the Alamo Section uses its annual golf event to raise money for local grants and scholarships. The 2023 golf outing raised nearly $20,000 and over the last 10 years, it has raised more than $150,000 to help students at six colleges and universities in Texas. The 2024 golf outing recently took place on November 7, 2024, at Fort Sam Houston Golf Course in San Antonio. The Immediate Past Chair is Mary Karpati with Beneo.

Impact Award for Student Engagement
The Oregon Section of IFT was recognized as the student engagement award winner for its work to engage with the Oregon State University Institute of Food Technologists Student Association (IFTSA) and its more than 30 members. Through their efforts, student membership in the Section increased 30% since the pandemic, due in large part to strengthening ties and creating a pipeline for future Section leaders and volunteers, as well as supporting several student programs and events. The OSIFT President is Christina Johnson from KFK Seasonings.

Impact Award for Section Outreach
The Kansas City Section of IFT, representing both the states of Kansas and Missouri, was selected as the winner for Section Outreach. Under the leadership of now Immediate Past President Jennifer Vuia-Riser, the Kansas City Section has flourished with extensive engagement that has included launching initiatives to strengthen ties with local students and universities. The Kansas City Section also launched an outreach initiative to increase in-person presence at events, boost their social media footprint, host events, and build stronger relationships with the higher education community.

Impact Award for Advocacy and Public Policy
The Washington, D.C. Section was the final Impact Award winner this year for its work around advocacy and public policy led by President Kelly Higgins from Exponent. Most of the D.C. Section activities involve public policy, including the highly successful Food Policy Impact Summit that featured more than 100 attendees and 26 speakers and panelists.

To learn more about joining an IFT Section, go to www.ift.org/community/regional-sections. And to become a member of IFT and gain access to numerous networking opportunities and educational resources, go to www.ift.org/membership.

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SEG to Donate Thanksgiving Dinners to 7,000 in Southeast

Published November 21, 2024

Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is kicking off the season of giving by donating Thanksgiving meals to 7,000 individuals and families experiencing hunger across the Southeast. The grocer invites customers to join in the spirit of giving by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bills at the register or by participating in the grocer’s “buy one, give one” initiative – where customers are encouraged to donate a shelf-stable item at checkout – to help ensure neighbors experiencing hunger can enjoy a warm holiday meal this season.

More than 47 million people in the U.S. face hunger, including 1 in 5 children, according to Feeding America. To help minimize food insecurity around the holidays, the grocer is collaborating with more than 20 local food banks and community partners across its five-state footprint to provide 7,000 turkeys and holiday sides to neighbors who may be facing hunger. The grocer’s partners include:

Belforest and Loxley Elementary Schools
Brighter Bites
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
Community Rehabilitation Center Inc.
Ed Reed Foundation
Feeding Northeast Florida
Feeding South Florida
Feeding Tampa Bay
Feeding the Gulf Coast
First Coast YMCA
Get Cooking – Orlando
Grace Community Food Pantry – Team Feed Flagler
MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation
Mobile Police Department
Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church
Revitalize Arlington Inc.
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
True Destiny Ministry Church
Tyndall Air Force Base
USO Northwest Florida

Raymond Rhee, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “As the holiday season approaches, we’re reminded of our shared responsibility to ensure no family faces the uncertainty of an empty table. We are deeply thankful for our generous partners and customers, who are joining us to provide warm, nourishing Thanksgiving meals for our neighbors in need. Together, we’re providing hope, compassion and a moment of comfort during this meaningful time of the year.”

Now through Dec. 17, the grocer invites customers to embrace the season of giving by donating $1, $5 or simply rounding up their grocery bill at the register while shopping at local Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie stores. Customers can also join in the “buy one, give one” initiative by taking advantage of the grocer’s many BOGO items and donating one of the items at checkout for a neighbor who may be experiencing hunger this holiday season. Every contribution will support Feeding America’s mission to end hunger.

Lauren Biedron, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships at Feeding America, said,“The holidays are a time to nourish traditions, celebrate, and share meals with our loved ones, yet 47.4 million people in America face hunger, even during the holidays. Feeding America appreciates Southeastern Grocers’ ongoing commitment to supporting families. Their partnership helps ensure that everyone has access to nourishing meals and the connections that bring us together during the holiday season.”

This holiday season, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie is committed to helping customers save more. With exclusive in-store promotions, a savings-packed Rewards program with personalized percentage back offers, and its seasonal discount program, Price Hold, the neighborhood grocer is here to make holiday shopping budget-friendly and hassle-free for all. For additional convenience, customers can order their feast, plus more, with grocery delivery and curbside pickup at select locations. Visit shop.harveyssupermarkets.com/thanksgiving or shop.winndixie.com/thanksgiving to order online and gather the same savings benefits of shopping in-store deals and promotions.

Now through Dec. 24, the grocer is offering a holiday meal deal for $39.99 that feeds three to five people to help customers easily plan their holiday feast at a winning price. The meal includes a chef-carved ham or ready-to-carve turkey breast, a 12-pack of rolls and your choice of four sides, with options for homestyle or cornbread stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes or gravy. Customers can simply look for the holiday meal display in the deli department of their neighborhood store for stress-free entertaining.

All Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery and liquor stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day to give associates a well-deserved day of rest with family and friends as a thank you for their diligent work and compassion displayed for their communities this year. All stores will close as normal Wednesday, Nov. 27 and reopen for regular business hours Friday, Nov. 29.

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