8 trend-setting natural and organic products from Fancy Foods 2014
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The natural and organic space is inundated with bar products, so it's difficult for a new product to really stand out. Kuli Kuli broke through the noise because it features two of my favorite things: an inspiring social mission and an emerging, research-backed nutritional ingredient. The company was co-founded by Lisa Curtis, a former Peace Corp volunteer, who discovered the nutritional benefits of the moringa plant while living in Niger. The tiny leaves of these tropical trees are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, potassium and protein. Kuli Kuli works with women-owned farming cooperatives in West Africa to source the moringa for its gluten-free, vegan nutrition bars as part of its mission to nourish the world. The company raised more than $50,000 via Indiegogo to fund its first manufacturing run.
Mole Poblano is my favorite Mexican sauce, but I’ve never felt confident enough to attempt making it at home. Now I don’t have to, thanks to Hernán and its new Mole Poblano paste. Made with chiles, nuts, chocolate, raisins, Mexican unrefined cane sugar and other ingredients, the paste can be mixed with water or chicken broth to create an authentic sweet and savory Mole Poblano sauce that would be delicious over chicken or enchiladas. Hernán also sells a line of Mexican Hot Chocolate mixes and artisan kitchenware from Mexico. Isela Hernandez created Hernán in 2007 to open up new markets for artisans and producers who wouldn't normally have an audience outside of Mexico. Her work also helps support her hometown of Del Rio, Texas, an economically depressed town on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Made only with ingredients grown in California, Wild California’s Apricot Ginger Crisps bring sustainable sourcing to the snack aisle in a delicious way. Not quite a cracker and not quite a chip, these crisps are made with buttermilk, organic wheat flour, dried apricots, ginger, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, brown sugar, honey and sea salt. They also feature Sonoma grape flour, an ingenious ingredient created from the grape seeds and skins left over during wine production in California’s Sonoma County. So not only is this new snack delicious, it’s helping to keep tons of agricultural waste from California landfills.
A former tech executive born in Singapore, Nona Lim started her culinary career as the creator of Delicious Detox, a healthy meal home-delivery service in the Bay Area. The nutrient-packed soups she made for Delicious Detox were such a hit with customers that Lim decided to launch a retail line featuring her gluten-free, vegan soups. One of Lim’s newest flavors, Asian Lemongrass, bowled me over with its rich assortment of carrots, celery, straw mushrooms and other fresh vegetables combined with chunks of Hodo Soy tofu. Lim uses locally-sourced ingredients for her growing line of ready-to-eat soups, adding to their made-from-scratch appeal.
The Fancy Food show is all about decadence, so what better way to start our product lineup than with ice cream? Steve’s Scotch Chocolate is no regular ice cream, though. In fact, it’s not really ice cream at all. This dairy-free frozen treat blends coconut cream with chocolate and Scotch Whiskey to create a sophisticated, indulgent experience. The company's heritage goes back to a small-batch ice cream shop opened in 1973. Now based in Brooklyn, Steve’s Ice Cream is a member of 1% for the Planet and sources ingredients from other great natural products brands including Hudson Valley Fresh and Taza Chocolate. Check out all of Steve's innovative flavors, including Nola Iced Coffee & Donuts, Coconut Key Lime and Southern Banana Pudding.
Jerkey lovers would have rejoiced at this year’s Winter Fancy Food show. Thanks in part to the growing popularity of the paleo diet, jerky is ascending the gourmet ladder, and many new natural jerky brands and flavors were on display in San Francisco. One of my favorites was Krave’s new Black Cherry Barbecue Pork Jerky. This tender jerky is like eating sweet, peppery pork ribs without having to deal with the bones. Started by a marathon runner who wanted delicious, clean jerky for his training snacks, Krave’s healthy, gourmet jerky is free of nitrates and artificial flavors and packs 8-12 grams of protein per 1 oz serving.
Numi Organic Tea turned heads at last year’s Natural Products Expo West with its line of garden-inspired savory teas. This year the company is upping the ante with its new Indulgent Tea line, which features four flavors: Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Early Grey, Chocolate Spice and, my favorite, Chocolate Rooibos. The Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade Certified teas are a guilt-free way to have your chocolate and drink it too, while enjoying the nutritional benefits of organic cacao.
It's usually difficult to find Kugel, a traditional Jewish casserole made with noodles, eggs and sugar—until now. With a nostalgia-inspired booth that evoked the comfort-food persona of kugel, Locker Family Recipes was serving up its frozen kugel casseroles that taste (almost) like they were made from scratch. Based on founder Meredith Locker’s family recipes, the company’s new branding pays homage to the founder’s relatives in flavors such as Aunt Nonie’s Original Kugel. The brand caught my eye for bringing one of my favorite dishes to the frozen case while creating a packaging that proudly features the family stories and photographs of its founders.
It's usually difficult to find Kugel, a traditional Jewish casserole made with noodles, eggs and sugar—until now. With a nostalgia-inspired booth that evoked the comfort-food persona of kugel, Locker Family Recipes was serving up its frozen kugel casseroles that taste (almost) like they were made from scratch. Based on founder Meredith Locker’s family recipes, the company’s new branding pays homage to the founder’s relatives in flavors such as Aunt Nonie’s Original Kugel. The brand caught my eye for bringing one of my favorite dishes to the frozen case while creating a packaging that proudly features the family stories and photographs of its founders.
The Winter Fancy Food Show, held each January in San Francisco, is attracting a growing number of natural and organic manufacturers and retailers. Among the booths of artisanal, handcrafted and gourmet products, I spotted many of the hot trends and ingredients that have recently emerged on the natural, organic and healthy market scene. Ancient grains, chia and coconut were all on massive display in San Francisco.
A growing number of specialty brands are also following the path pioneered by natural products companies, ditching GMO ingredients and artificial colors and flavors in favor of using real, whole food ingredients in their products. Many others are supporting strong social missions or philanthropic initiatives such as 1% for the Planet.
Here’s a roundup of eight natural and organic products that caught my attention at this year’s Winter Fancy Food Show. Pay attention because these products also provide a glimpse of what we’re sure to see at the upcoming 2014 Natural Products Expo West show, March 6-9 in Anaheim, Calif.
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