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The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. Quinoa is 12% to 18% protein and four ounces a day, about ½ cup, will provide a child's protein needs for one day.

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) was first domesticated at least 5,000 years ago, probably in the area around Lake Titicaca, on the Peru-Bolivia border. Called "the
mother grain" by the Incas, quinoa was considered sacred. Incan myth holds that quinoa was brought from heaven by the kullku, a sacred bird, and quinoa grains were honored as the progenitors of the city of Cuzco in Peru.

Technically, quinoa is not a cereal grain. The seeds are actually the fruits of a leafy green plant in the Chenopodium family, closely related to wild greens such as lamb'squarters and pigweed, and in the same family as beets, chard and spinach. It is used as a grain and substituted for grains because of its cooking characteristics.

Quinoa is still relatively unknown to many cooks, which is unfortunate because it offers many culinary possibilities. Quinoa grains range in color from ivory to pinks, browns to reds, or almost black depending on the variety. Quinoa has a delightful characteristic that is all its own: As it cooks, the outer germ around each grain twists outward, forming a little white, spiral tail which is attached to the kernel. The grain itself is soft and delicate, and the tail is crunchy which creates an interesting texture combination and pleasant "crunch" when eaten.

Here are some products made with this exciting grain:

Mary's Gone Crackers has combined whole grain brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds and sesame seeds into a crisp, delicious and surprisingly satisfying cracker. Certified organic, gluten-free, kosher, dairy-free, with no added fats or sugar, they are available in five flavors: Original, Caraway, Black Pepper, Herb and Onion. Call 530-846-5100, or visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.

EDEN Organic Quinoa is organically grown on small family plots in the Andes, at an altitude of over 11,000 feet. Its saponin coating is mechanically removed by rubbing. This is a superior process compared with the more common water washing, which depletes nutrients and flavor. Eden Organic Quinoa has very recently been re-packaged in a new resealable self-standing bag. For more
information, call 800-248-0320, or visit www.access.edenfoods.com.

A combination of quinoa, wild rice, corn, ancho chiles, sun-dried tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow bell peppers, the Peruvian Farmer's Lunch from Zio World Cuisine is low in fat and calories. Made in the U.S., it's part of a collection of flavors from around the world. For more information, call 740-767-4946, or visit www.zioworld.com.

Bob's Red Mill produces an organic Quinoa Flour that is high in protein, calcium and iron. Use this delicate flour when baking. You can substitute this flour for half the all-purpose flour in many recipes or completely replace wheat flour in cake and cookie recipes. And because it is gluten-free, quinoa is a safe grain for those with gluten intolerance. For more information, visit www.bobsredmill.com.

The Pulse
Natural Products Expo West/
SupplyExpo Joins Ranks of 50 Fastest
Growing Trade Shows in U.S.
Consumer interest in natural and organic products is at an all-time high, and the industry's premier trade show, Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo, has grown quickly to keep pace with the industry. Tradeshow Week recently included Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo, produced by Boulder-based New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media, as one of the top 50 fastest growing trade shows in North America.

Tradeshow Week reviews the performance of all trade shows in the United States and Canada each year, and provides special recognition to shows that experienced the greatest increase in net square footage over the preceding three years. The top 50 fastest growing shows will be honored during a celebration in Boston on November 10–12, 2006.

"We're thrilled with these results," said Sandy Voss, trade show director for New Hope Natural Media. "Being recognized for the growth of Natural Products Expo West and SupplyExpo is a direct result of the efforts of our whole team. For the past 25 years, New Hope's mission has been to provide and improve the platforms of trade for the natural, organic and healthy products industry by serving all sectors, from supplier to manufacturer."

The Tradeshow Week top 50 shows are based on growth for the years 2003–2005. In 2006, Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo continued its phenomenal growth, with more than 1,700 exhibitors and 43,000 attendees.

The 21st Annual Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo will take place March 8–11, 2007, in Anaheim, Calif. For full details, visit www.expowest.com.

Upscaling May Save
Sagging U.S. Cookie Sales
Removing trans fats, upscaling to gourmet and organic, and doubling the amount of chocolate in signature cookie brands may transform the U.S. cookie market, according to Cookies in the U.S., a new report from Packaged Facts. These are just a few of the upgrades making their way into best-selling cookie bags as marketers scramble to stave off sagging sales which saw the market drop from just over $6 billion in 2001 to $5.56 billion in 2005.

According to the report, increased consumer interest in healthy eating and a growing list of alternative snack options have taken a sizable bite out of the cookie share of the overall snack market. Packaged Facts estimates that total cookie sales declined by 8.25 percent in 2005, from their peak in 2001.

Industry success, however, has been accomplished in so-called premium adult cookies where both industry leaders and boutique marketers have experienced growth. Similarly, sales growth experienced by individual marketers of natural and organic cookies attests to the fact that this market sector is no longer a niche, according to Packaged Facts.

Trader Joe's on its Way to N.C.
California-based specialty food chain Trader Joe's plans to open its first store in Charlotte, N.C. Company spokeswoman Allison Mochizuki confirmed that the chain is also looking at additional locations in north and central Charlotte, although she wouldn't give a time frame or more details.

The new store, set to open in 2007, will be located in the former Harris Teeter in Piper Glen, 6418 Rea Road. The average Trader Joe's is 10,000 to 15,000 square feet, and Mochizuki said the store will be within that size.

In Charlotte, Trader Joe's joins a range of retail food choices that has exploded in recent years. It includes the long-awaited Whole Foods, scheduled to open its first Charlotte store in Elizabeth in 2007 with a second to follow at SouthPark in 2009. The Ashevillebased natural food chain Earth Fare is also moving to a new location near SouthPark after opening its first Charlotte store in Ballantyne in early 2005.

Trader Joe's is known for its own lines of specialty foods that meet dietary niches — from vegetarian to kosher and organic. It aims at bargain prices by buying direct in large volume. Stores usually have well-stocked specialty departments, including seafood, bakeries, cheese departments and wine.

The company will also open a store in Atlanta this fall and recently confirmed a long-rumored site in Cary, outside Raleigh, that's expected to open later this year. The California company's expansion to the East Coast has also included stores in Manhattan's Union Square and in Washington.

Beverage Company Gives Gift of Literacy
Representatives of IZZE Beverage Company and Project REACH drove a trailer packed with English and ESL books, and other educational materials to the farm working community in Yakima Valley, Wash.

The literacy project brought books from Boulder, Colo. To children in the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, La Casa Hogar, Nuestra Casa, the Washington State Migrant Council, the Yakima Valley Mobile Unit Clinic, Parenting Programs, Americorps, and the Migrant Head Start Program.

"We visited Yakima Valley in January to source apples for IZZE's new Sparkling Apple flavor," said IZZE's CEO and founder Todd Woloson, who was onsite in Yakima to help deliver the materials. "Known for producing some of the best apples in the world, the orchards of Yakima Valley are cared for and harvested by some of the most gracious and dedicated people that we have ever met. It was this visit to the region and face-to-face interaction with the community in need that inspired Project REACH's next program. We've been working hard to collect books and materials all year long, and I'm thrilled the trailer is finally unloaded!"
Yakima Valley is one of three current farm working communities supported by Project REACH. Founded in 2004, Project REACH (a non-profit program fully managed and funded by the IZZE Beverage Company) supports and creates education-based development for farm workers and their families in the communities where IZZE buys its fruit.

News In Brief
Dagoba Organic Chocolate, Sambazon, Guayaki Yerba Mate and Noni Juice were in the national spotlight in August with a segment on the "Today Show." The producers visited Dagoba's factory for an exclusive tour with founder Frederick Schilling, getting a rare insider's view of what the company does. They also gathered insider footage and interviews from Sambazon and Guayaki through visits to their facilities.

Organics Unlimited now has organic yellow cayenne pineapples that are being imported from Mexico. Yellow cayenne pineapples are generally accepted as the sweetest, most desirable pineapples available. They are very juicy, the scales on the ripe fruit are a lighter yellow, the leaves have a smoother edge, and they tend to be larger and more elongated than other varieties. Organics Unlimited is a
San Diego-based distributor of organic tropical fruits from Mexico and South America. For more information on Organics Unlimited, visit their website
at www.organicsunlimited.com.

Naked Juice is expanding its smoothie line with two new all-natural
varieties, Black & Blueberry Rush and Cherry Pomegranate Power. Packed
with a pound of fruit in every 15.2-oz. bottle, every smoothie in the
Naked Juice Energy Family provides a smooth, even energy boost (43 mg of
caffeine per serving) powered by green tea extract and guarana — a South
American berry that is a natural source of caffeine; 100 percent RDI of niacin,
riboflavin, and vitamins B-5, B-6, B-12 and C per serving; and no added sugar
or preservatives.

Vermont Mystic Pie Company has introduced the first addition to the Mystic Pie Family of all-natural frozen desserts — Vermont Mystic Blueberry Pie with apples. The robust flavor of Vermont grown blueberries and the sweetness of wild Maine apples from the rich soil of the Champlain Valley are combined in a black current puree with touches of organic allspice, cinnamon and ginger. For more information, call 877-588-PIE S, or visit www.vermontmysticpie.com.

Endangered Species Chocolate has named Amber Winchester as director of finance and Renée Sweany as marketing associate. Winchester brings a wealth of accounting and finance experience to the ESC team. Sweany joins the ESC team from BitWise Solutions, where she served as marketing manager. To help retailers with their consumer communications program, the USA Rice Federation has created a free brochure entitled "Rice: The Foundation for Healthier Eating" that features health and nutritional information along with tips on cooking, storing and choosing rice. For a free copy of the brochure, visit www.usarice.com/consumer.

ROXY TRADING
Based on a popular Indonesian recipe dating back three generations, Ginger
Chews from Roxy Trading are available in Original, Peanut Butter and Peppermint
flavors. The ginger that gives these deliciously appealing candies their distinctive taste is grown on volcanic soil in the shadow of Mount Bromo in
East Java and is then stone-ground to perfection. The result is a wonderfully
sweet, taffy-textured treat that is every bit as enjoyable as it is healthy.
626-610-1388
www.chimesgourmet.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 451

JOHN WM. MACY'S
CHEESESTICKS
offers consumers an exciting new option with the introduction of their all-natural flavorful Sesame Gruyère CheeseCrisps that are handmade by alternating thin layers of freshly mixed sourdough with rich layers of shredded, aged Swiss and Gruyère cheeses.
800-643-0573
www.cheesesticks.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 452

SUSHI CHEF
is now offering the only 100 percent clean Panko and an all-natural Wasabi. In true Japanese tradition, loaves of bread are formulated exclusively for making Panko. The loaves of bread are steamed and then slowly dried before being shredded into crispy flakes. Sushi Chef Panko is clean, meaning that it is free of artificial preservatives, trans fats and sugars.
212-772-6078
aj@sushichef.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 457

Van's International Waffles
introduces its new heart-healthy line —Van's Hearty Oats Waffles — available
in three appealing flavors including Maple Fusion, Oats N' Honey and Berry Boost. Each of these waffles received an Excellent Source of Whole Grains stamp from the Whole Grains Council, which assures that the waffles contains a full serving of whole grain in each labeled serving.
323-585-5581
www.vanswaffles.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 454

BAZURA BAGS
is a social entrepreneur that is proving that one person's trash is another's treasure.
The Toronto-based company has launched a line of high-quality bags and accessories handcrafted by a women's cooperative in the Philippines from colorful discarded juice containers that would otherwise clutter landfills, fields and streets in their community. The Bazura Bags are carefully designed to be chic, high-quality, functional, durable and stylishly colorful.
416-242-9452
www.bazurashop.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 455

DR. KRACKER
is offering two new organic children's snacks, the Veggie Spelt Kracker and the
Krispy Graham Kracker. Both are packaged in fun, colorful boxes with handles
perfectly sized for toddlers' small hands. Each box contains six individually wrapped packages that contain three crackers.
214-503-1971
www.drkracker.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 458

HOWARD NATURALS
Granite & Marble Cleaner safely cleans sealed granite, marble, and other natural
stone countertops and surfaces to bring out the rich, natural beauty of the stone,
without leaving any streaks or film. The non-acidic, non-toxic formula is an
environmentally friendly choice that only vegetable-derived ingredients and
is also safe to use in areas where food prepared.
800-266-9545
www.howardnaturals.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 453

Manitoba Harvest Hemp
Foods & Oils
announced the addition of Organic Hemp Seed Nut to their rapidly expanding line
of organic hemp food products. This nutritious snack food and versatile recipe
ingredient has a soft texture, attractive sesame seed-like appearance, and offers a
nutty flavor similar to pine nuts. Available in 12-oz. and 340-g packages.
800-665-4367
www.manitobaharvest.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 462

Ritorna Natural, Inc.
LIV is a carbohydrate-based electrolyte drink that contains no artificial ingredients, flavors, dyes or sugars. Sweetened with agave nectar instead of high fructose corn syrup, LIV offers an ideal mix of potassium and sodium to replace minerals lost during exertion. This innovative sports drink is perfect for athletes, active adults and kids.
877-547-6875
www.liv-natural.com
CLICK READER SERVICE NO. 466