At last week's Institute of Food Technologists Expo in Chicago, Frankfort's
Graceland Fruit showcased more than 45 different fruit and vegetable ingredients. Graceland, which boasts the world's broadest line of infused dried fruits and vegetables, also recently boosted its production capacity by more than 40 percent, and added a new cranberry to its product line.
"At Graceland, cranberries are the way nature makes them -- naturally red -- and you can see the difference," says Heidi Farkas, manager of sales and business development. She adds: "We have a network of independent growers who provide the highest quality fruit, and our production processes ensure the natural color and healthy benefits are retained."
Founded in 1973, Graceland has earned awards ever since, including the prestigious Edward R. Madigan U.S. Agricultural Export Excellence Award in 2003 as well as National Ag Marketer of the Year; Michigan Manufacturer of the Year; and Michigan's Exporter of the Year.
The West Michigan office of Ernst & Young also named Graceland's CEO Don Nugent Master Entrepreneur of The Year. Nugent also received the Michigan State Horticultural Society's distinguished service award.
Beyond its wide variety of infused dried fruits and vegetables, Graceland produces SOFT-N-FROZEN™, a frozen fruit that is soft to the bite and brings rich, natural fruit flavors to ice cream, frozen yogurt and other frozen dairy and non-dairy products; FRIDG-N-FRESH® refrigerator-stable vegetables with a 90-day shelf life; WILD VEGGIE™, the all-natural vegan vegetable soup or drink that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and is great in recipes.
Writer: Patty LaNoue StearnsSource: Heidi Farkas
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