Or maybe you’ve got a “too good not to share” dipping chocolate idea. Whatever it is, tell us your favorite foods to dip in chocolate.

Enter the Tropical Foods “Dipping Chocolate Deliciousness” Blogger Contest, and you could receive a prize of:

• One of ten (10) dipping chocolate gift baskets from Tropical Foods
• A $100 Visa gift card

To enter, write a 200-250 word blog post about your five favorite snacks for dipping in chocolate. Be sure to mention the Tropical Foods “Dipping Chocolates” Contest and include a link to www.dippingchocolates.com.

Go to www.dippingchocolates.com to enter!

By Sheila Neisler

Whatever the occasion, there’s no better greeting than a selection of tropical nuts and fruits, by themselves or in freshly baked goods or healthy snack mixes, from Tropical Nut & Fruit Co., headquartered right here in Charlotte……….

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ReCharge® ingredients are enhanced with probiotics, Omega-3, pomegranate seed oil and Chia seeds. They contain antioxidants and much of the recommended daily value of vitamin B6. The low-sodium snacks contain zero grams of trans fat and cholesterol.

Tropical Foods offers three varieties of ReCharge® snack mixes:

• Super Charged Cranberry Blend includes Omega-3 fortified cranberries, pomegranate infused cranberries, and probiotic dark chocolate cranberries, plus almonds, dark chocolate chunks and yogurt-dipped peanuts

• Chia ReCharge® Stix Mix features Chia Sticks mixed with cranberries, almonds, dark chocolate chunks, yogurt-covered raisins, pineapple and white chocolate drops.

• Dark Chocolate Energy Boost includes an invigorating mix of coffee beans, probiotic cranberries, and raisins – all coated with dark chocolate – plus almonds, pineapple and dark chocolate chunks.

Naturally enhanced snacks are popular with consumers. A report in Food Technology finds 75 percent of shoppers link antioxidants with immunity and 65 percent connect Omega-3 with heart health. Nearly 85% of Americans link probiotics with digestive health, according to a Mintel report.

A 2009 research report from Pricewaterhouse Coopers showed that even in a weak economy people will pay a premium for products seen as preventing a health problem or offering an alternative to empty calorie snacks.

“ReCharge® Naturally Enhanced Snack Mixes meet growing consumer demand for natural snacks and nutrient-rich ingredients,” says Chad Hartman, Brand Manager for Tropical Foods.

All three varieties are available in 10 pound bulk and will be available soon in 5oz re-sealable bags.  ReCharge® is available in bulk bins at Ingles and Healthy Home Market locations.

“Tropical Foods had a banner year. The dedication of our entire 200+ employee company has enabled us to grow into new markets, expand our product lines and introduce our brands to snack lovers of all ages,” said Chad Hartman, Brand Manager for Tropical Foods.

President’s Awards, given in appreciation of exemplary dedication to Tropical and its customers, were awarded to the following:

• Reeves Jacob (Orlando)
• BJ Gordon (Orlando)
• David Medina (Orlando)
• Tracey Owens (Charlotte)
• Mike Duke (Charlotte)

Sales awards were given to the following offices and individuals:

• Operating Center of the Year – Orlando
• Territory Manager of the Year – Bill Davis, Jr. (Charlotte)
• Rookie of the Year – Donna Wolff (Dallas)
• Sales Associate of the Year – Jackie Williams (Memphis)

Treasure Chest Keys are awarded to sales reps who sell featured products from the Tropical family of brands. The top key recipients and the rep whose key unlocks the Treasure Chest win cash prizes. More than $12,000 was awarded in 2011 to the following reps:

• Darren Brooks (Charlotte)
• Bill Davis, Jr. (Charlotte)
• Crissy Schaad (Orlando)
• Diana McGinty (Orlando)
• Christine Coombe (Orlando)
• Renae Varhol (Orlando)

Bill Davis was the top Treasure Chest Key earner for the sixth time. He’s also a three-time Territory Manager of the Year.

Tropical Foods has operating centers in Charlotte; Dallas; Atlanta; Memphis, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Washington, D.C. Sales representatives from all operating centers attended the conference.

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, 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 proud to be a women-owned business and is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operating centers in Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis, Washington DC and Dallas.

Contacts
Tropical Foods
Chad Hartman, 704-602-0631
chartman@tropicalfoods.com

Congratulations to Rick, Terry and the Dallas Team for your excellence in maintaining a top rated facility! 

Nothing compares to MONIN products. Rich in flavor and natural in taste, MONIN Syrups are Kosher certified and gluten-free, bringing quality flavor to any beverage or food item.  Highly concentrated, MONIN syrups are made from pure cane sugar, filtered water, and premium fruit, nut or spice flavors.  These delicious syrups can be used to flavor your espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, coffees, tea, milkshakes and countless other beverages.

With no fat or cholesterol, you can’t go wrong with MONIN products. MONIN has grown to be the leading brand used in restaurants, coffeehouses, bars and homes in over 100 countries. Tropical Foods joins professional chefs, coffeehouse operators, professional baristas and hospitality operators around the world who also believe in the flavor of MONIN.

MONIN – Ultimate Taste, Ultimate Creativity.

KIND bars are a delicious portion-controlled snack for a heart-healthy diet. Because they’re nut-based, you’ll get heart-healthy fats and a little bit of protein in each bite.   They are a good source of fiber and protein, and the KIND Plus bars include added protein, antioxidants, calcium, and even omega-3s for a nutritional boost. The ingredients in these bars are all natural, gluten free and quite simple- but the quality of the ingredients makes for BIG flavor! No wonder why KIND Fruit and Nut has been awarded the best healthy snack by Health Magazine.

KIND is also a movement that gives new purpose to snacking. Much more than just a food brand, KIND’s social mission is embodied in the KIND Movement, which inspires unexpected acts of kindness and lets people turn their kind acts into up to $25,000 for the charity of their choice.

So do the KIND Thing for your body and snack healthily on KIND. Also check out the KIND Advantage program to get more KIND for less with regular shipments of KIND bars plus extra perks and goodies!

Do the KIND thing for your taste buds, your body and the world.

“There has been a substantial increase in the use of herbs and spices and Tropical Foods is happy to meet that demand,” said Chad Hartman, Brand Manager for Tropical Foods. “Our spices are a great addition to our product line of more than 3,000 products.”

Tropical’s retail spices are packed in small, stackable re-sealable trays and are currently available at local grocers. In addition, Tropical offers a full line of food service spices, available in shakers, classic packs and bulk.

While spices and herbs make food taste great, they can also help you eat healthier by cutting down on salt, fat and sugar when cooking. There’s also new evidence that spices may help protect your health by boosting the antioxidant power of practically everything on your plate. Other studies suggest spices and herbs may help curb your hunger and boost your metabolism.

When it comes to antioxidants, cinnamon vies for top billing along with blueberries and pomegranate juice. Spices and herbs are extremely rich in antioxidants – with levels comparable to many fruits and vegetables. Tropical Foods is featuring recipes using spices and herbs from their product line. Enjoy Spicy Cinnamon Cake, Vegetable Paella, and Smashed New Potatoes with Garlic and Chives.