Asian specialties fill up produce departments for the festivities on February 14.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA Gung Hay Fat Choy! The Specialty Produce People at Friedas are stocking up produce departments with a wide variety of Asian specialties in preparation for Chinese New Year The Year of the Tiger. The 15-day celebration begins on the first day of the first lunar month according to the Chinese calendar February 14, and ends on February 28, 2010.
One of the most important traditional Chinese holidays, Chinese New Year celebrations are a time of reunion, where families get together and celebrate over special feasts with foods to symbolize abundance, wealth, longevity and good fortune.
Friedas has been promoting Chinese New Year for more than 25 years. Its a fantastic merchandising opportunity to draw attention to the produce department, said Karen Caplan, President and CEO. Its one of the biggest food-centered holidays after Thanksgiving, beginning with the New Years Eve meal.
To really make a splash with Chinese New Year promotions, produce merchandisers can take advantage of the bright colors symbolic of this holiday red and gold in POS signage and decorative Oriental displays. The vibrant colors of Kumquats, Mandarins, Buddhas Hands and Pummelos can be used as color breaks among packaged Asian specialties like Noodles and Won Ton Wrappers.
Friedas top-selling items for Chinese New Year include:
* Asian Pears
* Baby Bok Choy
* Chinese Long Beans
* Egg Roll & Won Ton Wrappers
* Kumquats & Pummelos
* Waterchestnuts
* Snow Peas
* Noodles (Chow Mein, Udon, Yakisoba)
Year of the Tiger
The Year of the Tiger marks the beginning of the Chinese Year 4708; the numbers of years since the mythical founding of the Chinese People. People born under the Year of the Tiger are said to be sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. For the tiger in 2010, any recent setbacks or obstacles can be overcome, so look forward to a year in which to really shine, either personally or professionally.
During the Chinese New Year, many foods and colors take on symbolic meanings. Here are a few interesting symbolisms:
* Pummelos, the largest citrus fruit, are seen as a symbol of prosperity and fertility, and are often presented as Chinese New Year gifts.
* Kumquat Trees are often used as a decoration during Chinese New Year. The golden color of these tiny fruits symbolizes wealth, and kum means gold in Cantonese.
* Noodles, such as Friedas Chow Mein, Yakisoba or Udon, are a symbol of longevity. For this reason, Noodles are always served whole and never cut.
* Chinese Long Beans, which are like extra-long green beans (measuring 12 to 20 inches in length), are another symbol of longevity.
* Mandarin Oranges are also a popular gift, because in Chinese, the word “orange” sounds like “Ji”, which means “good luck”. People present oranges to their friends and relatives to express their respects and good wishes for the coming year.
* Red is the preeminent color during the festivities, symbolizing joy, luck and happiness. Add some natural red pigment to your dishes with Friedas Blood Oranges.
* Egg Rolls and Spring Rolls are a symbol of wealth because their shape resembles a gold bar. Friedas Egg Roll Wrappers can be found in the produce department.