The result is a clear polypropylene tub from Berry Plastics that holds 6 oz of chocolate wafers. “Many dipping chocolates in the retail market are packaged in flimsy containers, melt inconsistently, and are difficult to work with,” says Chad Hartman, Tropical Foods brand manager. “We were looking for a see-through container. We feel it is important for the consumer to see our product.”

Beyond product visibility, the Dipping Chocolate package provides consumer convenience in a second way. It is microwavable, eliminating the step of using a separate dish for melting the chocolate. Consumers remove the lid on the Dipping Chocolate package to expose the chocolate pieces, heat the contents in a microwave oven for 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, repeat those steps as needed, and serve. Hartman says 6 oz of chocolate is adequate for 1 lb of strawberries, and the chocolate also can be used for dipping with nuts and dried fruit.

The label on the lid shows succulent photography of dipped strawberries. Datamark Graphics prints the label in four process colors and contract packager Match Point Enterprises (336/226-6988) applies the label to the container.

Dipping Chocolate is available in the dark-chocolate, milk-chocolate, and white-chocolate varieties. Suggested retail price is $2.99 to $3.99.

Published in Packaging World Magazine, February 2010 , p. 54

Written by Jim George, Marketing & Design Editor

Tropical’s Dipping Chocolates are designed with one thing in mind, to give the consumer a user-friendly dipping experience.  “Many dipping chocolates in the retail market are packaged in flimsy containers, melt inconsistently and are difficult to work with.  We want to give consumers a perfect dipping experience.  Our packaging and product is easy to work with and has very simple instructions” cites Chad Hartman, Brand Manager at Tropical Foods.  Hartman also added that Tropical’s Dipping Chocolates are ideal for at home or restaurant use.  “A consumer can use one 6oz package for 1lb of strawberries or a chef can dip a few pieces of fruit for a dessert and reheat later after the chocolate cools.  This chocolate can also be used to dip nuts and dried fruit”

Tropical’s Dipping Chocolates are sold in quantities of 12/6oz containers per case.  Each container has very simple instructions on the top cover, a tamperproof seal and is re-sealable.  They come in 3 varieties; milk, dark and white chocolate.  These dipping chocolates have and SRP of $2.99-$3.99 and can be found in The Fresh Market, Market Street & United Supermarkets and select Bi-Lo and Super Bi-Lo locations.

About Tropical Foods

Tropical Foods specializes in premium snack mixes, raw and freshly roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and hundreds of bulk and packaged candies, spices, grains and specialty foods.  Tropical Foods has an extensive line of retail branded products, including Grabeez®, Buffalo Nuts® and Christille Bay®.  The company was founded in 1977 with an original product line of 100 items which has grown to include more than 3000 today.  Privately-owned, Tropical Foods is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operating centers in Atlanta, Memphis, Washington DC and Dallas.

Follow Tropical Foods on Twitter @tropicalfoods

2008 Carryout                                     94,194,000

2009 US Crop (USDA Est.)                 301,200,000

2009 Mexican Imports (Est.)               140,000,000

2009 Total Supply (Est.)                      535,391,000

2008/2009 Net Consumption (Est.)     417,319,000

2009 Carryout (Est.)                            108,072,000

With the Chinese continuing to purchase inshell at a record pace, prices continue to firm in the face of a tighter than expected supply situation (Chinese purchases are having the same impact on the Almond and Walnut markets). Through October, they had already purchased 11% more than they had by the same time last year. To make matters worse, weather conditions have not helped the situation.  An early snow in the El Paso Valley and wet conditions in the Southeast has delayed the harvest thereby further exacerbating the situation.  With the Pecan Growers firmly in control of inventory costs, the Pecan Shellers have few options and are left to hope that the inshell market will stabilize in the next few weeks as the Chinese take an expected brief buying respite before their New Year celebration.  Of greater concern to the shelling industry is the expected impact on consumption as corporate meat buyers come to grips with their sticker shock.

All five of the snack mixes are no or low sodium, 0g Cholesterol and 0g Trans Fat. All of mixes are sold in bulk quantities of 25 lb bulk and resealable acetates.

About Tropical Foods

Tropical Foods specializes in premium snack mixes, raw and freshly roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and hundreds of bulk and packaged candies, spices, grains and specialty foods. Tropical Foods has an extensive line of retail branded products, including Grabeez®, Buffalo Nuts® and Christille Bay®. The company was founded in 1977 with an original product line of 100 items which has grown to include more than 3000 today. Privately-owned, Tropical is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operating centers in Atlanta, Memphis, Washington DC and Dallas.

My Salad Bar is designed to give consumers an assortment of salad toppers that they can use multiple times. “Many of the salad toppings you see in the marketplace are one-time use and more packaging than product. We want to give consumers a clear package that shows quality and value,” cites Chad Hartman, Brand Manager at Tropical Foods. Hartman also added that My Salad Bar is the perfect combination of quality, value and packaging. “Not only is My Salad Bar made with quality products, it is also per ounce, one of the best values you will find.”

My Salad Bar addresses a number of issues that are on the forefront of consumer trends.

In addition to the many healthy aspects of dried cranberries and walnuts, all of the products in My Salad Bar are natural and have 0g Trans Fat and 0g Cholesterol. With the packaging being clear, consumers can see exactly what and how much they are buying.

My Salad Bar is sold in quantities of 12 containers per case. The container has 4 compartments, a tamperproof seal and is re-sealable. My Salad Bar has a SRP of $4.99-$5.99 and can be found in The Fresh Market, Ingles Supermarkets, Market Street & United Supermarkets and select Bi-Lo and Super Bi-Lo locations.

About Tropical Foods

Tropical Foods specializes in premium snack mixes, raw and freshly roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruit, and hundreds of bulk and packaged candies, spices, grains and specialty foods. Tropical Foods has an extensive line of retail branded products, including Grabeez®, Buffalo Nuts® and Christille Bay®. The company was founded in 1977 with an original product line of 100 items which has grown to include more than 3000 today. Privately-owned, Tropical is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operating centers in Atlanta, Memphis, Washington DC and Dallas.

Grabeez® is designed to give consumers healthier snacking options in on-the-go portable packaging. “We are seeing Grabeez fly off the shelves due to the demand for easy, nutritious and delicious snacks. As Americans we are always seeking out foods we can eat on the fly, especially nutritious good-for-you snacks,” cites Chad Hartman, Brand Manager at Tropical Foods. Hartman also added that consumers want snacks with flavor using high quality ingredients as well as being nutritious. “We redesigned the entire Grabeez® line to offer nutritious, yet flavorful snacks using our high quality nuts and snack mixes to align with the snack retailing trends of convenience, availability, and healthier options.”

The new Grabeez® cups are also addressing popular snack food flavor trends of bold flavors, while still remaining healthy. Grabeez® offers bold flavors such as Buffalo Nuts®, Mexicali Fire™, and Wasabi Explosion. Spicy flavoring is projected to become increasing popular according to a report released by The Food Institute, a leading information source for the food industry. Grabeez® also features popular selections such as snack mixes Diet Delight®, Fantastix, Sunburst™ and candies Mini Yogurt Pretzels and Gummy Bears. All of the snacks in the cups are 0g Trans Fat and 0g Cholesterol.

Grabeez® is sold in quantities of 12 cups per case. The cups are re-sealable and completely portable so consumers can carry the cups and enjoy a snack anytime they desire.

About Tropical Foods

Tropical Foods specializes in premium snack mixes, raw and freshly roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and hundreds of bulk and packaged candies, spices, grains, and specialty foods. The company was founded in 1977 with an original product line of 100 items which has grown to include more than 3,000 today. Privately-owned, Tropical is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operating centers in Atlanta, Memphis, Washington DC, and Dallas.

Rena M. Pierami, Division Vice President of Technical Services, Silliker, Inc., commended the facility for their exceptional food safety and quality systems. Tropical Nut & Fruit specializes in premium snack mixes, raw and freshly roasted nuts and seeds, dried fruits, and hundreds of bulk and packaged candies, spices, grains, and specialty foods. The company was founded in 1977 with an original product line of 100 items, which has grown to include more than 3,000 today. Tropical Nut & Fruit serves the grocery, foodservice, health food, and candy industries.

“The Memphis plant performed exceptionally well in all phases of our rigorous and comprehensive distribution audit,” Pierami stated. “We congratulate them on the preparedness of their highly dedicated safety teams and the outstanding integration of their quality assurance systems.”

“We’re delighted to once again receive this award,” said John Bauer, Tropical Nut & Fruit President/CEO. “It reflects our continued dedication to superior food safety and quality. Seeing our efforts in these areas recognized by a highly reputable third party is extremely satisfying for our entire team.”

Annually, Silliker conducts several thousand audits across North America. Silliker Distribution Center Audits combine a host of recognized industry practices and principles, as well as recommendations from the National Advisory Committee for Microbiological Criteria in Foods and FDA, into comprehensive evaluation forms used by Silliker auditors. These comprehensive audit evaluations involve a systems review as well as a physical assessment of the facility in the implementation of food safety and quality systems procedures.

John Iams, Senior Account Manager, Silliker, Inc., presented the Audit Platinum Award to David Richardson, Warehouse Manager of Tropical Nut & Fruit’s Memphis, TN distribution center and John Bauer, President/CEO of Tropical Nut & Fruit.