102 and Counting: Garden Fresh Gourmet Dominates Latest Fresh Salsa and Dip Competition; 13 New Scovie Awards at Fiery Foods Show Boost Michigan Company's Honors

Garden Fresh Gourmet, the nation's largest producer of fresh, all-natural salsa, won 13 Scovie Awards which will be bestowed March 3-5 at the 18th National Fiery Foods & Barbeque Show in Albuquerque. Garden Fresh has earned 102 total awards, with fresh salsas, dips and chips retailed in 35 states and Canada.

Ferndale, MI (PRWEB) February 17, 2006 -– It’s tough to tell what surprises southwest fiery food lovers most: the breakthrough flavor profiles of fresh salsas and prepared dips from Garden Fresh Gourmet, or the fact that they are produced in the Midwest.

Judges for the 2006 Scovie Awards by Fiery Foods and Barbeque Magazine will bestow thirteen new awards on Garden Fresh products at Albuquerque’s 18th National Fiery Foods & Barbeque Show March 3-5. Among the awards – more earned by Garden Fresh than any other entrant -- is a sweep of the prepared dips category with first, second and third place honors.

“Once again, our products are surprising and delighting even the most discriminating salsa connoisseur,” said Dave Zilko, Garden Fresh Gourmet vice president of marketing. “People in the southwest don’t expect a company outside their region – much less Michigan -- to be able to produce a food they think of as their own, and in such an outstanding manner.”

The latest recognition boosts Garden Fresh’s industry awards total to 102 since 2000, consistent with the strong market response to Garden Fresh products. The company is seeing huge sales gains and new market penetration in 35 states and Canada since revolutionizing the fresh salsa category. It expects $30 million in sales this year, up from $19.5 million in 2005.

Garden Fresh Gourmet offers 15 varieties of fresh salsa prepared with the best ingredients, and a delectable selection of guacamole, fresh dips, kettle-style tortilla chips, and baked pita chips.

Garden Fresh Gourmet was founded in 1997 when Annette and Jack Aronson began experimenting with fresh salsa in their Ferndale restaurant. Customer demand and a lucky encounter with a local grocery retailer led to expanded facilities, large-scale production, and widespread distribution. The company now employs about 100, and produces a half-million pints or more of salsa monthly.

Garden Fresh Gourmet salsas are still artfully produced in five-gallon micro batches, today using innovative sterilization procedures that enable a 47-day shelf life. Grocery retailers include Kroger, Farmer Jack, A&P, Publix, Jewel, Roundy’s, Marsh, Schnuck’s, Wegman’s, Harris Teeter, Super Fresh, Bi-Lo, Shop Rite, Walbaum’s, Meijer, Whole Foods, and Costco of Canada.    

For more information about Garden Fresh Gourmet, makers of America’s #1 award-winning salsa, call toll-free 1-866-725-7239.

Garden Fresh Gourmet 2006 Scovie Awards

1st Place Condiments – Prepared Dip: Garden Fresh Gourmet Cream Cheese & Salsa Dip

2nd Place Condiments – Prepared Dip: Garden Fresh Gourmet Artichoke Spinach Four Cheese Dip

3rd Place Condiments – Prepared Dip: Garden Fresh Gourmet Chipotle Dip

1st Place Fresh Salsa: Garden Fresh Gourmet Black Bean & Corn Salsa

2nd Place Fresh Salsa: Garden Fresh Gourmet Jack’s Special Medium Salsa

2nd Place Salsa – Chipotle: Garden Fresh Gourmet Chipotle Salsa

2nd Place Salsa – Mild/Medium: Garden Fresh Gourmet Black Bean & Corn Salsa

2nd Place Salsa – Fruit: Garden Fresh Gourmet Mango Peach Salsa

3rd Place Salsa – Fruit: Garden Fresh Gourmet Five Fruit Salsa

3rd Place Salsa – Habanero: Garden Fresh Gourmet Screamin’ Hot Salsa

2nd Place Salsa – Tomatillo: Garden Fresh Gourmet Salsa Verde

2nd Place Prepared Sauce – Pasta Sauce: Garden Fresh Gourmet Ammoghio

2nd Place Condiments – Salad Dressing: Garden Fresh Gourmet Zesty Italian

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