Increased Production Expands Dried Vegetable Line

FRANKFORT, MI (April 13, 2009) — Graceland Fruit, Inc., is increasing capacity by more than 40 percent as it brings a NEW dryer online, allowing the Michigan fruit and vegetable processor to produce new lines of infused dried vegetable ingredients and better meet growing consumer demand for healthy food products.

“Unlike traditional air, vacuum or freeze dried products, these products have softer texture, fresh like color and flavor and can be diced into smaller pieces for use as food ingredients,” said Graceland Vice President Dr. Nirmal Sinha, director of Graceland Fruit's innovative research and development team. “They are microbiologically safe and shelf stable for more than a year without the use of sulfites or other preservatives.” With the additional capacity, Graceland is expanding production of its infused dried vegetables, which retain a texture and taste similar to fresh through a patented process that results in superior rehydration and cooking performance.

“These vegetables have the same rehydration time as more expensive freeze dried vegetables but better color, texture and flavor scores,” said Sinha. “They can be microwaved, sautéed and prepared in a variety of ways.”

The line includes broccoli, carrots, celery, sweet corn, green peas, red peppers and green peppers. The ingredients add savory, all-natural flavor and healthy variety to a wide range of consumer products such as bakery (bagels, specialty artisan breads and corn bread), pasta dinners, complete and add-to meals, shelf-stable home meal replacements, side dishes, snacks and trail mixes.

Graceland's expansion is also being tapped to double production capacity for popular product lines such as infused dried cranberries, and speeding delivery to customers.

“The additional capacity has allowed us to open up our existing systems for more dried vegetable products, and Graceland Fruit now has the ability produce long runs on the new dryer,” said Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brent Bradley. “Cranberries are in particular demand, and Graceland has both product and capacity to meet that demand.”

The new production capacity also permits Graceland Fruit to expand relationships with growers and provide stronger product assurances to manufacturers.

“Graceland Fruit is securing ever-increasing supplies of raw fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of food manufacturers,” said Chief Executive Officer Don Nugent. “With the expanded capacity and grower commitments, Graceland can assure reliable volumes of infused fruit and vegetable ingredients from field to consumer.” The new dryer is the centerpiece of a four-year expansion project that added 46,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space as well as additional infrastructure improvements to the Frankfort, Michigan facility.

Graceland Fruit offers over 45 delicious fruit and vegetable ingredients that add nutritious flavor to a variety of food products. Infused dried fruits include traditional favorites such as cherries, cranberries, apples and blueberries, along with seasonal and tropical favorites such as strawberries, mangoes and raspberries. Other product lines include Soft-N-Frozen Fruits™, Fridg-N-Fresh Vegetables® and Wild Veggie, the Souper Drink™. As the largest single provider of infused fruits and vegetables in the world, Graceland Fruit provides extraordinary food ingredients with natural nutrition and fresh flavor for new and innovative consumer products. For more information, call Brent Bradley, vice president of sales and marketing, at 800-352-7181 or 231-352-7181; or email info@gracelandfruit.com.