Thank goodness for the gourmet food arenas. If it weren't for these exhibitors holding court each day, buyers would have dropped to their knees after covering so much ground in such a short period of time.
Sisters' Gourmet gave everyone sweet treats via its Groovies line of premium gourmet cookie mixes. Packaged in bright, trendy boxes and made with the finest ingredients, each mix is an essential year-round household treat or fun gourmet gift. Varieties include Dandy Candy, Munchy Crunchy, and Kicker Snickerdoodles cookies, as well as Fudgey Wudgey brownies. Perfect for gift baskets, just add eggs and butter, bake, and enjoy. To order, call 877-338-1388.
Butterfields/Sweet Concepts' new line extension of its highly successful 8-ounce Retro line now includes Raspberry Buds and Lemon Buds. White Chocolate Lemon Bark and Raspberry Lemon Bark featuring Butterfields' award-winning hard candy folded into rich, white chocolate to give a unique flavor to both the chocolate and the palette have also been added to the mix. Get a taste for yourself by visiting www.butterfieldscandy.com, or calling 800-945-5957.
More sweet delights emanated from Saxon Chocolates, who featured beautiful new Valentine's and Easter lineups with a range of cookies and chocolates so pretty you (almost) don't want to eat them. Some particularly pretty introductions include little bunnies in solid shades of white and milk chocolate with rich, creamy hazelnut centers. Complement those with a few of Saxon's intricately decorated Easter Egg Cookies and you've got a great display. Their new decorated Butterfly Cookies with green apple, orange, and red frosting are a great spring introduction that fits into any occasion. Check out their packaging and design at www.saxonchocolates.com.
Another giftable treat comes from International Quality Foods Corp. with its Hand Decorated Jordan Almonds. The sweet treats are great for holidays, weddings, and other special occasions. For more information, call 877-885-2715.
Country Fresh Food & Confections, Inc. treated buyers to a sugar boost with its award-winning Country Fresh Fudge. The Oliver Springs, Tenn. manufacturer featured their signature line of regular and sugar-free low-carb fudge, plus other gourmet products, gifts, Tennessee-made products, and gift baskets. Soon, they expect to add hand-dipped chocolates and fully launch their new retail packaged line, Pamela Anne's Classic Confections. Also, they have become a licensee of several spirits brands, such as Jim Beam, Kahlua, Malibu, Tia Maria, Courvoisier, and Sauza. For more information, call 800-545-8782.
Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory introduced a new Key Lime flavor and gift tin (available in one of the company's 10 flavors) — excellent for gift giving or personal indulging. Well-known artist Gail Pittman created the limited-edition tins. Call 800-530-7496 for details.
Xcell International showed off their new Pizza Crust and Sauce Mix Kit complete with four nonstick pizza pans, four seasoning packets, Quick Mixx Crust, and Quick Mixx Pizza Sauce. On the horizon for this edible gift-giving family business is new Molten Chocolate Cake (debuting in March). With minimum orders of $100, you can be sure to stock your shelves with these fun items that are easy to demo. Call 800-722-7751 for more details.
Salem Baking Company continues to deliver with a new savory biscuit line designed to indulge adult appetites. These all-natural cocktail companions contain no trans fats and are offered in flavors such as Almond, Fig and Balsamic Vinegar; Grilled Vegetable Parmesan; and Sundried Tomato Pistachio. Along with great new packaging — which took home AmericasMart's "Best Packaging" award, these products are sure to be a hit with your sophisticated customers. For more information, call 800-274-2994, or visit www.salembaking.com.
The Peanut Patch introduced a great seller — its new Hickory Smoked Peanuts packaged in a 9-ounce periwinkle blue canister. A great addition to an already tasteful line, call 866-732-6883, or visit www.peanutpatch.com.
Quite a few newcomers and new product profiles made their way to the Temporaries floor. Plantation Sales Inc. introduced its patented Microwave Nuts. Packaged raw with seasonings, you roast them by tossing them into the microwave. Flavors include Buttery Pecan Roasters with Sea Salt, Pistachio Roasters, and Sweet Delights Walnut Roasters. Call them at 251-928-5834 for the rest of the lineup.
Our Thyme Garden, Inc. is a beautiful collection of 100-percent pure Italian olive oil and vinegars infused with savory herbs that are grown pesticide free in Cleburne, Texas. Our Thyme Garden hand cuts its herbs and makes each batch of herb-infused oils and vinegars themselves. Still, this artisan craftsmanship comes at a competitive price — check them out at www.ourthymegarden.com.
Chef's Prep "The Collection" is a new line of sauces launched by long-standing Atlanta-based foodservice company GSC Blending. Their first foray into gourmet retail, the company's sleekly packaged line of rich, bold just-add-water sauces created by certified Master Chef Michael Robins includes such staples as Shrimp Scampi and Garlic Herb and hold up well to a healthy flow of skeptical samplers. For details, call 800-453-9997, ext. 300.
Another newcomer, Saint Pita Heavenly Pita Chips are thin, baked whole-wheat pita chips with great flavor profiles and eye-catching packaging. The chips do taste as heavenly as the halo-topped chip displayed on the package. With flavors like Fiery Cinnamon Sugar and Parmesan Peppercorn, they will make pita munching an everyday occurrence. Suggested retail is $6.99 for a 6-ounce box. Call 770-623-6753 for more information.
Dip those chips into Robert Rothschild Farm's (866-565-6790) new Honey Chipotle Pretzel Dip to really spice up your life. The new dip is a blend of chipotle peppers, clover honey, and tangy mustard — great for cooking, as well as dipping.
Oxford Falls (www.oxfordstuff.com) proudly presented their own tribute to Southern culture — Dr. Jack's Mint Julep Mix. Born from a traditional recipe using fresh spearmint, Dr. Jack's is the perfect mixer for everything from watching the sunset on the veranda, to celebrating the excitement of Derby Day. Delivering a hint of molasses, this mixer highlights the grandness of fine Kentucky Bourbon, or adds a touch of sweetness to the finest of Iced Teas.
Delta Blues Iced Tea Company also gets you in a southern mood with its Deep South Iced Tea Punch composed of all-natural ingredients and infused with spearmint. For more information, e-mail deltabluesicedtea@sbcglobal.net.
