Packaged Facts has projected U.S. sales of natural and organic foods and beverages to more than double by 2015 in a new report. The report pegged the current market at $39 billion with sales expected to dramatically grow by 45 percent by the end of 2011 and eventually surpass $78 billion within five years.

In identifying the growth potential of the market, the report examined several key trends and issues affecting the marketplace and cited a recent consumer survey conducted by Packaged Facts. The survey found that nearly half of all U.S. adult grocery shoppers purchase foods and beverages that are either natural or organic, with a growing number actively seeking out such products.

The report indicated that the growing consumer demand for these products has led several major manufacturers, including PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, to shift toward greater focus on innovation and production of organic and natural foods and beverages.

It has been so long that i actually forgot I had this blog – shame on me.

Ok well there is alot to get you caught up on Hg Products since the last time I blogged so I will attempt to do that in the next few days.

Please visit our sister blog in the meantime at http://healthysnacksblog.com

thanks

Debi

Pioneer Brand is a brand name of Jerky Snack Brands, Inc. based out of Minong, WI, though this jerky appears to have been manufactured out of the company’s Schulenberg, TX facility.

The brand was originally founded in 1986 by Robert George in Livonia, MI. The company was originally a distributor of branded meat snacks and originally operated as Western Snacks, and then became Metro Snacks, until it changed names to Pioneer Snacks, Inc. It wasn’t until January 2007 that the business was acquired by Jerky Snacks Brands. Just this year the brand went through a complete rebranding emphasizing the letters “PNR”, with a new logo and new package design.

Ingredients

Beef, teriyaki sauce, water, sugar, teriyaki mix, sodium nitrite.

Taste

Ok, so I am not a fan of energy drinks, I think they have been completely over done here in Las Vegas and Pepsi really has the upper hand – HOWEVER, I am eating those words!

This drink is amazing, the flavors are unique and alive with none of that Rock Star kind of after taste.  That may be because All IN replaced the caffeine with Rhodialo Extract.  Rhodiola has been used primarily in European countries and is purported to have the benefits of enhancing mental function, combating fatigue, enhancing athletic performance, and preventing illness.  Also, All IN Energy Drinks are sweetened with Acesulfane Potassium; a calorie free, FDA approved sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar.  It not only tastes great but people with Diabetes can safely include it in their diet.  Studies have shown that it does not have effects on blood glucose or insulin, cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Now the hip and cool part, legendary Johnny Chang the 2 time WSOP winner has banded together fellow top pros to endorse ALL IN Energy Drink.  Fuelling these masters of poker enables ALL IN to offer a dream tournament tour patrons. The top energy drink purchasers can gain exclusive access to the ALL IN Energy Invitational Poker Tournament, which is held annually with major prize pools that increase with sales.  Poker is growing faster in popularity than any other sport or entertainment pas time. Poker reaches across all social and economic groups. The people who play poker are focused, ambitious and energetic – the ideal energy drink consumers.

Email me, I will tell you where you can find this and many more alternative choices!

It is encouraging to see that a few of the products we are gathering more information on are on this list.  Reviews to come!

1. Cocktail Classic jelly beans by Jelly Belly Candy Co.
2. ICEE Fizzing Lollipops by Koko’s Confectionery & Novelty
3. M&M’s Pretzel by Mars Chocolate North America
4. Disney licensed items by Imaginings 3, Inc. 5. Snow White Gift set from Pez Candy, Inc.
6. Dark Chocolate Acai Blueberry and Goji by Brookside Foods Ltd.
7. Pop Rocks Chocolate by Pop Rocks Inc.
8. Jumbo Push Pop by Bazooka Candy Brands
9. Jelly Pop from Decoria Co. Ltd.
10. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Mini by The Hershey Co.

1. Silly Seeds by Sunflower Food Co.
2. Nutorious Nut Confections by Nutorious
3. Biscotti Crisps and Seasoned Nuts by Sahale Snacks
4. Freeze Dried Fruit Snacks by Crunchies Food Co.
5. Chocolate Covered Candy Coated Kettle Corn by Kimmie Candy Co.

Las Vegas Neon Museum

We here in Las Vegas have all heard about the infamous “Boneyard”  and yes it is in fact true.  Currently the Neon Museum says goodbye temporarily to the Silver Slipper, Binion’s Horseshoe and the Bow and Arrow as they leave to be refurbished. They will return in all their restored glory around the end of September to be installed in the median of Las Vegas Boulevard North, near the Boneyard. Stay tuned!

The Neon Boneyard will be the temporary home for the 1955 Moulin Rouge sign during redevelopment of the original Moulin Rouge Casino site.  Betty Willis, who also created the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, designed it and hand-drew the elegant and distinctive letters. The Moulin Rouge was the first racially integrated casino in Nevada.  The Neon Museum is honored to provide an opportunity for the public to enjoy the sign during construction of the new resort.

To give guests a look back at Las Vegas’s bygone days, the Neon Museum offers group tours of a three-acre collection of neon signs dating back to the 1930s, like the Golden Nugget and the Silver Slipper. The museum, dubed the Neon Boneyard, also hosts temporary exhibitions and city artifacts like the lobby of the 1960s-era La Concha Motel, designed by architect Paul Revere Wiliams. The facility can also be rented for private events.

Check it out on your next visit to Las Vegas!

Some if this information was previously published in the 2009 BizBash National Venue Guide.