Like the company's first product introductions, the new Organic Peanut Butter and Classic Rich Sandwich Crackers and Organic Cheddar Cheese and Classic Rich Sandwich Crackers are USDA certified organic. The peanut butter for the sandwich crackers is made by roasting and grinding organically-grown Valencia peanuts. The aged organic cheddar cheese comes from selected organic dairy farms where healthy cows eat organic feed and are never given growth hormones or antibiotics. The milk is blended, cheddared and aged to produce a mild, but well-developed flavor.
All of the company's crisp, flaky cracker snacks are vegetarian and Kosher and made without any preservatives or artificial flavors or colors. The snack crackers are also made without hydrogenated oils (where the heart-clogging trans-fats hide).
Trans fats have been linked to an increase in heart disease and obesity. In September 2002, the National Academy of Sciences issued a report stating there is no safe level of trans fats. Over the past 50 years, industry-produced trans fats have become a common ingredient in hundreds of popular foods, found in the majority of conventional processed snack foods.
"Consumers are searching for great tasting snacks for their families that are both trans fat free and organic," said Nicole Dawes, Late July's President and COO. "Our ongoing mission is to produce snacks that consumers will love, and also feel good about eating."
In a recent Manufacturers Survey conducted for the Organic Trade Association, the snack food category was the second fastest growing organic segment in 2003, with a 29.6 percent growth in sales over the previous year. Organic farming practices protect the earth's water, air and soil, and help prevent human exposure to pesticides - of particular concern in children whose bodies are more vulnerable.
Conventional sandwich crackers, first introduced in the early 1900s, are currently one of the fastest growing segments of the snack cracker category. Until now, there hasn't been a natural version of the popular sandwich crackers, let alone a product line that is certified organic.
The primary ingredient that serves as a stabilizer in conventional sandwich crackers, hydrogenated fat, was not an option for Late July, both for organic certification regulations and, more importantly, the personal belief system of the company. Late July's challenge was to find organic ingredients that could make the products every bit as good, and in fact much better than their conventional counterparts.
"Because of our commitment to sourcing only the finest organic ingredients as well as producing products that consumers will love, without the usual artificial ingredients, this was the most difficult product line we've ever launched," said Steve Bernard, the company's Chairman and CEO who started the company with his daughter Nicole. "But after two years of product development and testing, we know that we have real winners here."
Product Availability Details
Organic Peanut Butter and Classic Rich Sandwich Crackers are available in 6 oz boxes and 6/1.75 oz, individual serving tray packs; Organic Cheddar Cheese and Classic Rich Sandwich Crackers are available in 6oz boxes and 6/1.5oz individual serving tray packs. Suggested retail price is $3.79 for the 6 oz boxes and $5.49 for the tray packs. The products are available for shipping immediately.
About Late July Organic Snacks
Since launching Cape Cod Potato Chips, Inc. and Chatham Village Foods, Inc. in the 80s and 90's, the Bernard family of Cape Cod, MA has been dedicated to providing families with the best tasting all-natural snacks in the world. Today, the greater availability of organic ingredients has allowed them to bring that dedication to a higher level with their new company, Late July Organic Snacks. Late July is run by the father-daughter team of Steve Bernard, Chairman, and Nicole Dawes, President & C.O.O. For further information, please contact Late July Organic Snacks, 105 Ferndoc Street, Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601; Toil-Free 888-85-SNACK; Tel. 508-775-1221.
Nicole Dawes and Steve Bernard are available for interviews, and product samples and photos are available upon request. For media requests only, contact Lisa Bell, Crescendo Communications at 303-527-0203 or [email protected].