|
Parma, Idaho
February 3, 2009
Nunhems, Bayer CropScience’s vegetable seed business,
collaborated with some of America’s top chefs this week to
educate and discuss new and exciting ways to increase the amount
of produce on menus.
The effort was part of “Produce First! American Menus
Initiative,” an event that connects the foodservice industry’s
leading chefs and marketers with innovative fruit and vegetable
suppliers to learn, cook and share ideas and best practices.
This year’s event, held on the Napa Valley campus of The
Culinary Institute of America, showcased, among other products,
Nunhems’ INTENSE™ tomato and several varieties from the
company’s colored carrot portfolio. These unique products, which
both utilize Nunhems’ genetics, were used by the participating
executive chefs and other experts to learn best practices and
develop new recipes that inspire increased consumption of
vegetables. Nunhems partnered with Grimmway Farms, the world’s
largest grower, producer and shipper of carrots, in their
participation with the colored carrots. Grimmway grew the
carrots for the event and was able to provide the carrots in
several different product forms including: mixed colored baby
carrots and a multi-colored shred.
“Now more than ever consumers are demanding that produce makes a
great first impression with an appearance that is as inviting as
the flavors and nutrition,” said Jennifer Armen-Bolen,
Downstream Marketing Manager for Nunhems. “Produce First!
provides a unique opportunity for professionals to learn about
new products like our colored carrots and Intense tomato that,
with their vibrant, healthy appearance, deliver just that.”
A joint effort between the Produce for Better Health Foundation
and The Culinary Institute of America, Produce First! provides a
unique opportunity for executive chefs and other experts to
cooperatively experiment with recipe development as well as
learn and impart knowledge about the latest industry trends.
Attendees included representatives from top chain restaurants,
volume foodservice companies, hotels, and supermarkets.
“Few events provide such a hands-on, practical exposure to new
products and to other professionals in this field,” said
Armen-Bolen. “And for Nunhems and Grimmway Farms, this event
provides a chance for us to work together to demonstrate how
innovative produce can be the result of these successful
collaborations.”
These achievements cannot happen, according to Armen-Bolen,
without seed suppliers continually working to understand, then
react to – even lead – the ever-changing expectations of
consumers.
The recipes developed at Produce First!, including those
featuring the company’s colored carrots and Intense tomato, will
be available through the Produce First! American Menus
Initiative report. To request a copy of this report contact the
Produce for Better Health Foundation at 302-235-2329. |
|
