2017 Expo West Press Kit
Related exhibitorPartners Crackers
EXPO WEST PRESS RELEASE #1
Contact: Megan Busch
Rachel Kay Public Relations
858-922-5045
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company Introduces Blue Star Farms Organic Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains Snack Crackers at 2017 Natural Products Expo West
Gourmet Snack Maker Bakes Up Better-for-You USDA Organic Cracker
Kent, Wash. (March 7, 2017) – PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, has sprouted a new variety of wholesome crackers that appeal to organic snackers everywhere: Blue Star Farms Organic Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains Snack Crackers. The newest flavor to join the existing line of USDA Organic Blue Star Farms crackers, the crispy new variety is oven-baked and crafted with a hearty blend of exceptional ingredients including sprouted lentil, sprouted millet, sorghum and chia seeds. Expo West attendees are invited to visit the PARTNERS booth #4475 to satisfy their cracker cravings with the gourmet option and meet the master behind the cracker, PARTNERS founder Marian Harris.
“Our new Blue Star Farms Organic Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains Snack Crackers give people with a passion for organic snacks a truly better-for-you option that doesn’t taste bland like traditional crackers,” said Cara Figgins, owner and vice president of sales at PARTNERS. “Boasting well-balanced, subtle but satisfying flavors that let the ingredients shine, our newest organic cracker is a versatile option that pairs perfectly with a spectrum of cheeses, soups, exotic dips and spreads, or can be enjoyed solo. We’re excited to have retailers and buyers explore a truly unique organic cracker that stays true to our commitment to hand-make our snacks with real, honest ingredients.”
Combining on-trend ingredients like chia seeds and lentils, Blue Star Farms Organic Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains Snack Crackers are crafted exclusively with authentic non-GMO and Kof-K Kosher ingredients that are slow-baked to a crispy texture at the brand’s family-owned bakery of 25 years. Joining the Blue Star Farms family of organic crackers including Whole Wheat and Multigrain & Flax, the new flavor is free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and hydrogenated oils.
Blue Star Farms Organic Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains Snack Crackers are now available at traditional and natural grocery stores nationwide, including Fred Meyer, Gelsons, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Save Mart, Bristol Farms and more, and online at Amazon.com. For more information or to find a store near you, visit www.PartnersCrackers.com.
About PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company
PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, is a family of simply delicious, made-from-scratch gourmet crackers, cookies and brownie thins. Oven baked to a signature crispy crunch, all PARTNERS artisan-crafted snacks, including PARTNERS Crackers, Free for All Kitchen, Blue Star Farms, Wisecrackers, All-American and Mia Dolci, are made with real, wholesome and honest ingredients. All PARTNERS foods are Kof-K Kosher, crafted exclusively with non-GMO ingredients, and are free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and hydrogenated oils, with several USDA Certified Organic and Certified Gluten Free options available. An eco-conscious and socially responsible company, all PARTNERS brand products are baked in its family-owned bakery in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, visit www.PartnersCrackers.com.
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EXPO WEST PRESS RELEASE #1
Contact: Megan Busch
Rachel Kay Public Relations
858-922-5045
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, Showcases Mia Dolci
Pumpkin Spice Cookie Crisps at 2017 Natural Products Expo West
Gourmet Snack Maker Bakes Up Sneak Peak of Seasonal Limited Time Offer
Kent, Wash. (March 6, 2017) – PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, is sharing a sneak peak of its new Mia Dolci Pumpkin Spice Cookie Crisps at 2017 Natural Products Expo West. Adding a seasonally inspired new twist to its family of made-from-scratch artisan snacks, the new cookie crisps are oven-baked and crafted with real pumpkin and wholesome ingredients. Expo West attendees will be among the first to taste the upcoming fall flavor and are invited to visit booth #4475 to sample and meet the master behind the must-have limited time offer, founder Marian Harris.
“Shoppers go crazy for pumpkin spice season, formerly known as Fall,” said Cara Figgins, owner and vice president of sales at PARTNERS. “Our limited edition Mia Dolci Pumpkin Spice Cookie Crisps give them the best of both worlds – an incredibly addicting flavor and a cookie that stays true to our commitment to hand-make our snacks with real, honest ingredients. We’re eager to get ahead of the pumpkin spice craze and give retailers and buyers a taste of a uniquely different and delicious cookie.”
Lower in fat than traditional cookies, Mia Dolci Pumpkin Spice Cookie Crisps are lightly sweetened with a touch of cane sugar and are made with real butter and no artificial flavors. Crafted exclusively with authentic non-GMO and Kof-K Kosher ingredients, the new cookies combine the goodness of real pumpkin and a hint of spice that’s slow baked at PARTNERS’ family owned and operated bakery of 25 years. Joining the existing line of irresistible gourmet Mia Dolci cookie crisps – Chocolate Vanilla Swirl, Lightly Lemon, and Cinnamon Crisp – the full-flavored new crisps are also free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.
Mia Dolci Pumpkin Spice Cookie Crisps will be available at select retailers for a limited time this fall. Existing PARTNERS’ brands are now available in traditional and natural and specialty grocery stores nationwide, including Fred Meyer, Gelsons, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Save Mart, Bristol Farms and more, as well as online at Amazon.com. For more information, please visit www.PartnersCrackers.com.
About PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company
PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, is a family of simply delicious, made-from-scratch gourmet crackers, cookies and brownie thins. Oven baked to a signature crispy crunch, all PARTNERS artisan-crafted snacks, including PARTNERS Crackers, Free for All Kitchen, Blue Star Farms, Wisecrackers, All-American and Mia Dolci, are made with real, wholesome and honest ingredients. All PARTNERS foods are Kof-K Kosher, crafted exclusively with non-GMO ingredients, and are free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and hydrogenated oils, with several USDA Certified Organic and Certified Gluten Free options available. An eco-conscious and socially responsible company, all PARTNERS brand products are baked in its family-owned bakery in the Pacific Northwest. For more information, please visit www.PartnersCrackers.com.
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PARTNERS PRESS FACT SHEET
Overview: PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, is a family of simply delicious, made-from-scratch gourmet crackers, cookies and brownie thins. Oven baked to a signature crispy crunch, all PARTNERS brand products, including PARTNERS Crackers, Free For All Kitchen, Blue Star Farms, Wisecrackers, All-American and Mia Dolci, are made with real, wholesome and honest ingredients to deliver mouthwatering artisan-crafted snacks. All PARTNERS foods are Certified Kosher, crafted exclusively with authentic non-GMO ingredients, and are free of high fructose corn syrup, preservatives and hydrogenated oils, with several USDA Certified Organic and Certified Gluten Free options available. An eco-conscious and socially responsible company, all PARTNERS brand products are baked in its bakery outside of Seattle.
History:Founded in 1992 by Marian Harris, PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, is a family owned and operated business. A self-proclaimed “Cracker Queen” with a love for crafting homemade foods, Marian was inspired to create an artisan cracker while running two restaurants and noticing a lack of artisan options in the cracker category. Her endless search for the perfect cracker to accompany her top-selling homemade soups and salads came up empty, so she simply developed her own recipe. PARTNERS Crackers was born out of a necessity to provide a wholesome cracker to her restaurant and catering customers, but it quickly became a high-quality, gourmet cracker that “partners” perfectly with every type of food and occasion for people everywhere. Committed to making all PARTNERS products from scratch, Marian still crafts all the recipes and owns the business with her son, Greg, and daughter, Cara. Together, they have grown PARTNERS Crackers into a thriving family of wholesome crackers, cookies and brownie thins all under the PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, portfolio.
Brand Family:PARTNERS’ family of gourmet snack brands include:
- PARTNERS Crackers – signature thin and crispy crackers available in more than a dozen varieties ideal for elegant entertaining to afternoon snacking and everything in between.
- Flatbreads SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Toasted Sesame, Walla Walla Sweet Onion, Cracked Black Pepper
- Hors d’Oeuvre Crackers SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Everything & More
- Snack Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Flavors: Traditional, Black Pepper, Sweet Onion, Olive Oil & Herb, Olive Oil & Sea Salt
- Deli Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Flavors: Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Everything & More
- Snack Pack Crackers SRP: $0.99
- Flavors: Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Everything & More
- Flatbreads SRP: $4.99
- Free For All Kitchen (new) – a gluten-free line of deli and traditional crackers, and brownie thins, all free from soy, corn, white rice, nuts and eggs, and made with five ancient grains and cassava flour for snacks that everyone can eat at any time of day.
- Snack Crackers SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Olive Oil & Herb
- Deli Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Flavors: Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Olive Oil & Herb
- Snack Pack Crackers SRP: $0.99
- Flavors: Olive Oil & Sea Salt, Roasted Garlic & Rosemary, Olive Oil & Herb
- Brownie Thins SRP: $4.99
- Flavor: Double Chocolate
- Snack Pack Brownie Thins SRP: $1.49
- Flavors: Double Chocolate
- Snack Crackers SRP: $4.99
- Blue Star Farms – USDA Certified Organic line of whole grain crackers made with carefully selected ingredients to create subtle flavors that taste great alone or paired with traditional and exotic dips, spreads and soups.
- Snack Crackers SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Rustic Whole Wheat, Multigrain & Flax, Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains.
- Snack Pack Crackers SRP: $1.19
- Flavors: Whole Wheat, Sprouted Lentil & Ancient Grains
- Snack Crackers SRP: $4.99
- Wisecrackers – snack smart with these thin, crispy and flavorful flatbread and snack crackers crafted with real wholesome ingredients.
- Flatbreads SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Roasted Garlic with Rosemary, Toasted Sesame, Everything & More!
- Snack Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Flavors: Roasted Garlic with Rosemary, Spicy Pepper, Toasted Sesame, Everything & More!
- Flatbreads SRP: $4.99
- All-American – light and crispy American Classic butter crackers that are rich in natural flavor and the perfect partner to every food.
- Snack Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Flavor: Lightly Salted
- Snack Crackers SRP: $3.99
- Mia Dolci – irresistible gourmet cookie crisps made with real, wholesome ingredients that are lightly sweetened with a touch of sugar and lower in fat than traditional cookies, making them the perfect pair with coffee, tea, sorbet or ice cream.
- Gourmet Cookie Crisps SRP: $4.99
- Flavors: Chocolate Vanilla Swirl, Lightly Lemon, Cinnamon Crisp
- Snack Pack Gourmet Cookie Crisps SRP: $0.99
- Flavors: Chocolate Vanilla Swirl, Lightly Lemon
- Gourmet Cookie Crisps SRP: $4.99
Where to Buy: PARTNERS’ family of brands are available in traditional and natural grocery stores nationwide, including Fred Meyer, Gelsons, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Save Mart, Bristol Farms and more, as well as online at Amazon.com. To find a store near you, use the store locator at www.partnerscrackers.com/wheretofindus.
Executive Team:
- Marian Harris, Founder/President
- Cara Figgins, Owner/Vice President of Sales
- Greg Maestretti, Owner/Vice President of Operations
HQ Address:
- PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company
- 20232 72nd Avenue South
- Kent, WA 98032
- Phone: (253) 867-1580
On the Web:
- Website: www.partnerscrackers.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PartnersCrackers
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/partnerscracker
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/partnerscrackers
- Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/partnerscracker/
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/partners-crackers
Media Contact:
- Megan Busch
- Rachel Kay Public Relations
- 858-922-5045
- Meganb@rkpr.net
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CARA FIGGINS BIO
Cara Figgins
Owner & Vice President of Sales
Owner and vice president of sales at PARTNERS, A Tasteful Choice Company, Cara Figgins spearheads strategic business and product development, sales and marketing, and financial oversight. Devoted to family, Cara is a 20-year veteran at PARTNERS where she joined her mother and founder of the company, Marian Harris, in 1993. Together with Marian and brother, Greg Maestretti, the trio have grown PARTNERS into a thriving family of artisan crackers, cookies and brownie thins made with real, wholesome and honest ingredients.
A headstrong entrepreneur with a love for great-tasting snacks, Cara chose to forego her original career path as a lawyer and transitioned to the family business soon after she passed her Bar Exam. Eager to bring delicious, artisan-crafted snack foods to people everywhere, Cara went from filling customer orders to generating sales at PARTNERS, evolving the business into a thriving family of gourmet snacks. Today, PARTNERS is the parent company to PARTNERS Crackers, Free For All Kitchen, Blue Star Farms, Wisecrackers, All-American and Mia Dolci.
Cara graduated with her BA in Political Science before getting her JD in Employment Law from Seattle University School of Law.
In her spare time, Cara enjoys hiking, healthy cooking and travel.
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