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Eco Kickstarter Campaign Launched by ECOlunchbox
Blue Water Bento collection items on Kickstarter now
ECOlunchbox has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $30,000 in order to bring to market the Blue Water Bento collection, an innovative new line of lunch containers that combine no-leak silicone lids with non-toxic stainless steel bottoms.
Sandra Ann Harris, founder and president of ECOlunchbox, first sought funding for this first-to-market project from angel investors, but when they turned her down she decided to turn to crowdfunding instead.
“We’ve been hearing from our customers they really want a lunch container that doesn’t leak – and doesn’t have any plastic. They want to have their cake and eat it to,” Harris explained. “It’s costly to fund the design, molds and other start-up costs for a new product line. There are high minimums, too. I really wanted to meet the needs of families who need these products that are healthy for people and the planet, so I’ve decided to take our funding needs to the streets via Kickstarter.”
So far the Kickstarter campaign has received an enthusiastic response, with ECOlunchbox raising about 25 percent of its needed funding in just 48 hours.
Last year ECOlunchbox introduced the Splash Box as the first component of the Blue Water Bento collection of stainless steel and silicone lunchware that’s ocean-friendly, leak-proof, and 100 percent plastic-free. Now the collection expands with three new products that are on Kickstarter: the Seal Cup Solo, the Seal Cup Trio and the Splash Pod.
The Splash Pod™ is a leak-proof snack pod that fits inside the original Splash Box perfectly. The Seal Cup™ Solo has a 1-cup capacity with a leak-proof, silicone lid perfect for packing yogurt, applesauce, salad dressing or fruit. The Seal Cup™ Trio is a set of three nifty, nesting, round containers in small medium and large.
As a socially responsible company, ECOlunchbox’s mission is to help people reduce their use of plastic food containers by providing non-toxic, stainless steel lunchboxes that are healthy for people and the planet.
For more information, visit www.ecolunchboxes.com.
Planet Zak Fluted Tumblers Combine Insulation and Ease-of-Use
Planet Zak’s new Fluted Tumbler features double-wall vacuum insulation made from dual layers of stainless steel that help keep hot coffee or tea from cooling too fast on long commutes. The slim design allows the Fluted tumblers to fit into most car cup holders, and the vertical ridges that give the tumblers their name help commuters get a secure grip on the tumbler while keeping their eyes on the road.
And, to make that task even easier, Planet Zak developed a revolutionary lid for the Fluted Tumblers that provides one-hand operation and a self-closing valve that creates a spill-proof seal when the patented Liquid Lock push-button isn’t depressed. Not only does this innovative lid help prevent spills in the car or at the desk, it also adds another layer of insulation by preventing heat from escaping out of the top of the tumbler. And to ensure that it continues to function properly for years, the lid is simple to disassemble, making it easy to clean thoroughly.
The Fluted Tumblers are available in three stylish color options – chestnut, red, or stainless – and have a suggested retail price of $22.99 for the 16-ounce version and $19.99 for the 12-ounce tumbler. Both sizes are designed to fit under most single brew coffee makers, because if your coffee stays this hot, sometimes a single cup is all you need!
Novis Vita Juicer Available Just in Time for Fall Shopping
The new Novis Vita Juicer will be available for the first time in the United States in mid-August. The juicer is initially available in six colors: white, black, orange, green, yellow and red. This appliance offers four functions in one appliance for creating juices, garnishes, fillings and topping for baked goods, baby foods, beverages, soups and more.
The Novis Vita Juicer fully extracts juice from fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens, and does so quietly. It is simple to use, easy to clean and doesn’t require a tutorial to figure out how to get started. This intuitive appliance does far more than just juicing since it is a combination of a citrus press and centrifuge.
The Novis Vita Juicer produces an extremely high extraction percentage, which is the real measure of effectiveness for a juicer. It is made by Novis, a Swiss company known for complex engineering and precise performance. The Vita Juicer was awarded both the prestigious Kitchen Innovation of the Year award and the Red Dot Best of the Best award. The Novis Vita Juicer retails for $500.
For more information, contact Novis Vita Juicer at 302.326.4806, email info@novisusa.com, or visit www.vitajuicerusa.com.
New Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Grey Collection Suite of Organic Neutrals
Portmeirion® Group debuts the new Sophie Conran Grey Collection with sophisticated looks for both dinnerware and serveware. Rich in tone, this neutral gray adds a luxurious and contemporary feel to everyday dining.
The finely crafted porcelain collection delivers a balance of warmth and refinement. Available in an assortment of dinnerware, bowls, serveware and bakeware, Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Grey is the perfect oven-to-table collection for today’s busy lives.
“Today’s fashion trends inspired us to add Grey to the Sophie Conran collection,” states Wendy Motlaq, corporate vice president for Portmeirion Group. “We now have a choice of organic neutral colors that can be used to personalize the dining experience and help make any occasion special.”
All pieces in the Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Grey Collection are dishwasher safe, microwave safe and freezer safe. The collection includes:
Portmeirion Sophie Conran Grey 4-piece Place Setting
A 4-piece place setting (sale price $49.99) composed of an 11-inch dinner plate, 8-inch salad plate, 7.25-inch cereal bowl and a 12.5-ounce mug. Also available individually (sale prices starting at $11.00), the pieces add a refined style to everyday dining and entertaining.
A Small Footed Bowl, Pasta Bowl, Medium Salad Bowl and Large Salad Bowl are available and will help serve pastas, salad and vegetables (sale prices starting at $11.50).
The 14.5-inch Medium Oval Platter and 17-inch Large Oval Platter will make any meat dish or side dishes the focus of your table (sale price starting at $35.00).
The 2-pint Teapot, Covered Sugar and Creamer will bring elegance to any morning tea or coffee (sale prices starting at $17.60).
The Lasagna/Roaster, Large Handled Rectangular Roasting Dish and Large Handled Oval Roasting Dish (sale prices starting at $35.00) are elegant entertaining options that will be the talk of any pot luck dinner.
For information about Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Grey Collection, or any Portmeirion Group product, visit www.portmeirion.com.
Las Vegas Market Plans Education For Gourmet Retailers
An impressive lineup of gourmet industry leaders will share retail success stories, in-depth shopper insights, trends and analysis at the Summer 2015 Las Vegas Market as part of a new “Gourmet Insights Networking Summit” scheduled for Tuesday, August 4. The half-day educational program complements the launch of the new C11 permanent showroom floor for gourmet housewares, tabletop, gift and specialty food, at the forthcoming Market, running August 2-6, 2015.
“Las Vegas Market will extend its new gourmet offerings for independent housewares retailers beyond exhibits to also include education, and networking opportunities,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, International Market Centers. “Response to the new C11 gourmet showcase, from buyers and suppliers alike, clearly addresses a market void in the western region, and represents an important component in the culmination of our three-year strategic plan to reposition Las Vegas Market as the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States.”
The Gourmet Insights Networking Summit will feature well-known retail panelists and other industry thought leaders in a lively half-day session of seminars and discussions, including: “State of the Gourmet Industry;” “Effective Merchandising to Drive Impulse Sales;” “What’s Next on the Food Scene and How You Can Connect to Increase Your Profits;” and “Social Media: Shopper Engagement as the New Currency.” Programming has been developed in conjunction with The Gourmet Retailer magazine and is tailored specifically to address the issues that are most important to independent gourmet retailers. The event, which is free for retailers, will conclude with a special networking reception.
The Summit kicks off at 1 p.m. with the “State of the Gourmet Industry,” a presentation of exclusive research on the gourmet retail channel conducted for The Gourmet Retailer by Carbonview Research in May 2015. The information will be presented by Anna Wolfe, editor-in-chief of The Gourmet Retailer.
The second session, “Effective Merchandising to Drive Impulse Sales,” from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m., will be a retail panel discussion addressing how to adapt to increasing competition and strategies to stay competitive in today’s price-conscious shopping environment; as well as the impact of showrooming. Panelists include Jill Foucré, owner of Marcel’s Culinary Experience in Glen Ellyn, IL; Amy Ruis, owner of Art of the Table in Grand Rapids, MI; and Kathleen Taggart, director of Draeger’s HOME Department and Cooking School for the company’s four San Francisco Bay Area stores.
A half-hour networking break from 2:30 to 3 p.m. precedes session three, a retail panel discussion, titled “What’s Next on the Food Scene and How You Can Connect to Increase Your Profits: A Panel Discussion on Food Trends, Technology, Marketing Tie-ins & More.” Panelists will share their success stories, including how to source local products and how to plan and market money-making events, including in-store cooking demos and hands-on classes. Panelists include Lauren G.R. Johnson, chief operating officer of Newport Avenue Market in Bend, OR; Kati Mora, RD, a registered dietician and founder of ThePlate Boutique, the first nutrition-inspired kitchen store, in Mount Pleasant, MI.; and Doug Poling, senior director for non-perishables, bakery & coffee at the California Bristol Farms specialty store chain.
The fourth and final session, from 4 to 5 p.m. will be a presentation on “Social Media: Shopper Engagement as the New Currency,” addressing the challenges and opportunities of social media and presenting a variety of tangible, take-home strategies specifically relevant to the gourmet retail category. Presenter Bradley Stone Nix is a partner at Brand Chorus, the social business intelligence division of TippingGardner, a leading marketing and brand development firm.
A convivial networking reception will immediately follow the conclusion of the educational programming at 5:30 p.m. All sessions and the reception will be held in the seminar room on C11.
The debut of C11 as a permanent showroom floor for gourmet products will feature more than 50+ major brands showcasing a gift-oriented assortment of housewares and tabletop items, including bakeware, casual tabletop cookware, gadgets, glassware and bar accessories, home and health items, hydration products, kitchen textiles, kitchen tools and gadgets, melamine tableware, publishing/cookbooks, serveware, small electrics and woodenware.
The floor is anchored by high-profile multi-line sales agencies – C. Stephens Inc., The Hub by Carson West Group, The Kitchen Source and Muir Sales – with an assortment of leading gourmet, gift and accessories lines. Notable among these are Andreas; BIA/Danesco; Enclume Pot Racks & Storage; Fagor; Ginkgo; Hammer Stahl Cookware and Cutlery JK Adams; Kitchen Innovations; Kyocera; Le Souk Ceramique Microplane Grace Mfg. Omega Juicers & Blenders Oenophilia; RSVP International; S.A.L.T. Sisters; Simax; Tovolo Vitamix; Zak Designs and Zojirushi America Corp. For a complete list of gift & housewares resources, visit lasvegasmarket.com/exhibitor-directory.
Beyond vendor support, Las Vegas Market also has forged retail partnerships with two leading organizations – Gourmet Catalog and HTI Buying Group – for the August 2015 launch of C11. Offerings for retail members of each organization include networking and social events, customized market tours, personalized concierge services, buyer scholarships, dynamic educational opportunities and more.
The Summer 2015 Las Vegas Market runs August 2-6, 2015, at World Market Center Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.lasvegasmarket.com.
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