Monthly Archives: April 2011

What’s “GROWing” On?

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Each year, a number of standout students are selected to receive a GROW scholarship, which provides necessary funding for schooling. Without the scholarship, these exceptionally bright students would have limited opportunities and would most likely not be able to afford their education.
Here are profiles of three of this year’s GROW students. Each has a bright future ahead of them because of this opportunity. These are stories your customers would love to hear:
Denia Yadira Villegas Tapia: Denia is 20 years old and is in her 3rd year at the University of Colima. Earning a 9.34 GPA (out of 10), Denia is studying to be a teacher. She likes all her classes, but really enjoys English. Her parents had only completed primary school, so her father works on the banana plantation while her mother works around the home. Her family is very proud of her for pursuing her goals and dreams!
Toño de Jesús Gutiérrez Grajeda: Toño is 21 years old and in his 3rd year at University of Colima. He has earned a 9.33 GPA (out of 10) and is majoring in International Business. Raised by his single mother, he often has to help out in the banana fields in order to contribute to his family. He’s excited for the opportunity to further his education and earn a degree that will help him get a good job in the future.
Odalis Margartia Martinez Aguilar: Odalis is 13 years old and is in 8th grade. She has earned a 9.8 GPS (out of 10) and dreams of one day becoming a teacher. She works very hard in school and her grades prove it. She lives with her grandmother and older brother. Unfortunately, Odalis has no support from her parents. Without the support from GROW, she would not be able to afford necessary school supplies, registration fees and books.
For more GROW stories and POP materials, visit the GROW section of our website.

Chilled Banana Streak is Over!


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After a long winter of unusually cold temperatures and chilled bananas, we’re happy to announce that conditions are back to normal–warm and tropical–in the banana growing regions of Mexico. As of this week, we are shipping clean bananas–bananas with the same taste, color, flavor and texture our customers are used to seeing from Organics Unlimited. We have a plentiful supply so be sure to get your orders in! Want ideas to increase your banana sales? Check out recipes that you can share with your customers on our Facebook page, and “Like” us so that you know whenever we add more ideas for you.

Pineapples Now Available!

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Sweet, fresh, organic gold pineapples are now available through Organics Unlimited! Pineapples are high in vitamin C and fiber, fat-free, very low in sodium and cholesterol-free. They are the perfect fruit to add to summertime smoothies and drinks, whipped into a salsa, or tossed into a light fruit salad.
Display pineapples next to tropical fruits in the produce section, or even next to bakery items such as pound cakes and cheesecakes. Cross merchandise and display near fresh meats and poultry- pineapple can be grilled for a tasty and healthy topping option for burgers and grilled chicken. Here are some common questions and tips to pass onto your customers:
How to Choose a Pineapple
Often, consumers don’t know what to look for when choosing a fresh pineapple. Here are some tips on how to select a perfect pineapple:
Color: Look for a golden color all the way around the fruit, especially near the base. It is still good and ripe if it has green on the upper portion. Stay away from a dark brown color as this means the fruit is overripe.
Scent: The bottom of the pineapple should have a sweet, fresh scent. If the aroma is too subtle, the pineapple is not ripe enough.
Crown: If the leaves at the crown look dried, this could mean the pineapple is overripe. Make sure the leaves look fresh.
How to Cut a Pineapple
Shoppers can be intimidated when it comes to buying fresh pineapple. Sure, nothing beats the juicy, delicious fruit, but carving through the tough-looking armor of the exterior can appear to be a daunting task. However, cutting a pineapple is quite simple. All you need is a sharp knife and a cutting board.
1. Place the pineapple on its side and cut off the stalk
2. Cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple
3. Stand the pineapple up and slice the skin off
4. Continue cutting all around the pineapple until all the skin is removed
5. Use the end of a potato peeler to remove any divots
6. Place the pineapple on its side and cut into rings
7. Cut the core out of each slice
Also, today there are some handy tools that make cutting a pineapple a snap. Look for these tools to stock in your store.