Concord Foods & California Walnut Board Partner On Exciting Tie-In

Banana Bread tastes great with walnuts! Whether it’s in a traditional walnut banana loaf, a refreshing parfait or a fun whoopie pie, banana bread and walnuts are delicious together!

Concord Foods and the California Walnut Board are partnering on an exciting tie-in event. From October through December, a range of delicious recipes featuring Chiquita™Banana Bread Mix and Walnuts will be available to consumers online at NutsForBananaBread.com and in supermarkets nationwide.

The recipe event will be heavily promoted through social media, advertising and in-store displays. Recipes will be shared with Chiquita’s and California Walnuts’ Facebook fans and Concord Foods’ club members though blogs and e-newsletters. “Our consumers use Facebook and blogs to share and review recipes. Social media is a natural fit for this promotion because it allows consumers to interact and provide feedback. They can also share their favorite Chiquita banana bread and walnut recipes with all their friends.” Said Samantha McCaul, Marketing Assistant, Concord Foods, Inc. 

Displays of Chiquita Banana Bread Mix will contain recipe cards. Look for these displays in the fresh produce department of major food retailers next to bananas. “Walnuts are ideal for baking! We’ve developed some incredible recipes that will appeal to consumers because they are easy-to-make and delicious. Retailers are encouraged to display walnuts with Chiquita Banana Bread Mix and bananas during the promotion. This will be convenient to consumers and will lead to increased sales.” Said Jennifer Getz, Marketing Director, Domestic for the California Walnut Board & California Walnut Commission.

ChiquitaBanana Bread Mix is an easy-to-make bread that simply requires two ripe bananas, water and an egg. When prepared, the banana bread has 0 trans fats and is preservative free. Because it requires fresh bananas, the bread has a moist texture and natural flavor. Concord Foods has a licensing agreement with Chiquita Brands L.L.C. to manufacture and market this product. Chiquita Banana Bread Mix is available in 12 unit cartons and 48 unit floor display shippers.

ABOUT CONCORD FOODS

Concord Foods Incorporated is a leading supplier of retail food products and custom ingredients to nationally recognized supermarkets, food service operators and leading food manufacturers. Concord Foods retail division offers a wide variety of produce friendly items from Candy Apple Kits to produce seasoning mixes. Consumers count on our quality products to glaze pies, create guacamole and batter onion rings. Concord Foods ingredients division develops and custom designs products for the food service, confectionery, ice cream and dairy industries including beverage bases, syrups, toppings, variegates, flavor bases, baking mixes, breaders and batters. For more information, please visit www.concordfoods.com.

ABOUT CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of nutritious, high-quality fresh and value-added food products – from energy-rich bananas, other fruits, blends of convenient green salads to healthy snacking products.  The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks.  With annual revenues of more than $3 billion, Chiquita employs more than 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 70 countries worldwide.  For more information, please visit our corporate web site at www.chiquitabrands.com

ABOUT CALIFORNIA WALNUTS
The California walnut industry is made up of over 4,600 growers and more than 70 handlers. The growers and handlers are represented by two entities, the California Walnut Board (CWB) and the California Walnut Commission (CWC).

CALIFORNIA WALNUT BOARD
The Walnut Marketing Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. In April 2008, the Walnut Marketing Board became the California Walnut Board to provide origin designation to the product it represents. The Board is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is governed by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The Board promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity and educational programs. The Board also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research.

CALIFORNIA WALNUT COMMISSION
The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The California Walnut Board (CWB) and California Walnut Commission (CWC) prohibit discrimination in all programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance programs. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the CWB / CWC offices at (916) 922-5888. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). CWB/CWC is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

Source: Concord Foods, California Walnut Board