GOURMET NEWS
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FEBRUARY 2023
Greene Concepts, Metatron Make Progress Creating Hydration Tracking App Greene Concepts, Inc. and Metatron Inc. are progressing in the creation of a hydration tracking app that logs water intake and encourages consumers to drink water regularly until they reach their recommended daily water intake goal, which the app automatically calculates. “Water is the most important and vital nutrient for the human body, is involved in every bodily function, and makes up 70 to 75 percent of your total body weight,” said Metatron Chief Executive Officer Joe Riehl. “The new hydration water tracker app will remind you to drink more water which
helps you to maintain body temperature, metabolize body fat, aids in digestion, lubricates and cushions organs, transports nutrients and flushes toxins from your body. This app assists the user to drink enough water in an attempt to reach or maintain optimum health.” “Our app will be a simple-to-use yet sophisticated health application with a sleek interface,” said Amy McNally, vice president of sales and marketing at Greene Concepts. “It will enable users to aggregate and report the trace minerals from water consumed and compare that amount against their recommended daily allowance, which is in part based on weight, gender and activity level. App users will be
able to identify their target volume, track their water consumption and create reminders to encourage hydration for optimal health.” Additional features include the water log reminders and timer, a personalized water intake calculator, 3D touch support, predefined and customized cup sizes for quick tracking, weight/height units support (pounds, kilograms, centimeters, inches, feet, etc.), water units support (ounces, milliliters, liters), HealthKit integration, a history and graph dashboard to see progress, and functionality/support on multiple platforms. “You will be able to subscribe via an annual subscription to allow for the tracking of multiple beverages and unlimited access to all features of the hydration app with no ads,” said Greene Concepts Chief Executive Officer Lenny Greene. “The new app offers real-time accountability and encourages improved health,” Greene said. “Consumers can choose a goal and enter amounts as they drink the beverages. The app will feature an audible water
sound as a reminder and designed to limit intrusion while encouraging a peaceful experience. “The app is currently in development,” Greene said, “and we are excited about its upcoming release.” Metatron Inc. has developed more than 2,000 apps on iTunes and Google Play. Areas of focus include web properties, mobile applications, artificial intelligence and the NFT/Metaverse. Greene Concepts, Inc. is a publicly traded company whose purpose is to provide the world with high-quality, healthy and enhanced beverage choices that meet the nutritional needs of its consumers while refreshing their mind, body and spirit. The company’s flagship product, Be Water, is a premium artesian bottled water that supports total body health and wellness. Greene Concepts’ beverage and bottling plant is located in Marion, N.C. The water is ethically sourced from seven spring and artesian wells that are fed from a natural aquifer located deep beneath the Blue Ridge Mountains. GN
Forever Cheese Acquires Japanese Food Product, Ingredient Importer W. A. Imports Forever Cheese, a leading specialty foods importer of cheese, nuts, cured meats and other gourmet products, has acquired substantially the assets of W.A. Imports, Inc. W.A. Imports is an importer and manufacturer of premium Japanese food products and ingredients sought after by chefs, mixologists and consumers including Haku Mizunara Whisky Barrel Aged Shoyu, CalPAC Black Garlic Molasses and Yakami Orchards Yuzu Marmalade. “W.A. Imports shares with Forever Cheese an incredibly high standard of qual-
ity, strong producer relationships and a passion for artisan products. The acquisition of W.A. Imports establishes Forever Cheese as a leading cheese and specialty food platform,” said Tyler Hawes, chief executive officer of Forever Cheese. “In my initial meetings with Tyler and Eric Vorchheimer, Forever Cheese chief financial officer, I knew they understood our vision,” said Dave Vohaska of W.A. Imports. “We share the same passion in bringing exceptional Asian ingredients to our foodservice and retail customer base.”
W.A. was founded in 2006 and has grown it into a premier source of the finest Japanese and Pacific Rim ingredients. Sourcing high-quality products, W.A. Imports has a network of suppliers with unparalleled products representing generations of artisan food culture. Taking pride in being the liaison from some of the most talented craftsmen of Asian products to prestigious North American restaurant kitchens. W.A. Imports is based in Hebron, Ill. Forever Cheese, importer of artisan
cheese and accompaniments from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia, was founded in 1998. Driven by a passion for fine foods, the company has grown into an industry leader, with its products in many upscale retailers, restaurants and specialty food shops nationwide. With a focus on authenticity and creativity, Forever Cheese seeks out the best of the Mediterranean and educates customers on what makes its products special. The company is headquartered in New York City with a warehouse location in Secaucus, N.J. GN
Sweets & Snacks Presents Review of Easter Sales Easter was the first of the candy seasons to be disrupted by the pandemic in 2020, but it made a very strong comeback in 2021 and 2022 – setting new records in many performance areas. The 2023 Easter season was one week shorter, emphasizing merchandising and sell through in the final weeks. How did the season fare? How did inflation affect dollars versus volume, and what did consumer engagement look like? The 2023 Easter Sales Review webinar, sponsored by Peeps Brand, will highlight the total seasonal opportunity, Easter chocolate and non-chocolate sales as well as the largest channels of food, drug and mass.
Join NCA and Anne-Marie Roerink, president at 210 Analytics, on May 16 at 1 p.m. ET to take a closer look at: seasonal highlights, market review and shopper engagement, sales results and drivers, merchandising performance and 2023 preparation and recommendations. Details are at sweetsandsnacks.com. Roerink is a Principal at 210 Analytics, LLC, providing customized research with a specialty in food retailing for clients such as the Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association, National Confectioners Association, North American Meat Institute and many others. Through countless consumer studies, Roerink has developed an excellent perspective on the ever-chang-
ing wants and needs of the grocery shopper in a onesize-fits-no-one world. Roerink offers a diverse and in-depth view on food retailing strategies, financials and operations. She understands the challenges and opportunities in the food business today as well as the drivers of success tomorrow. Prior to founding 210 Analytics, Roerink was the head of research for the
Food Marketing Institute. Roerink designs and authors studies in meat, produce, deli prepared, frozen, SmartFood, bakery, confections and other categories. GN