Specialty Food Magazine

SEP 2012

Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.

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some potential challenges on the production end, namely: shipping and shrink-wrapping. The general sentiment about shrink- wrap is to avoid it if possible. At her gift basket seminar at the 2012 Summer Fancy Food Show, "Wrap, Stack and Go: Gift Baskets," Shapiro conceded the method may be a necessary cost-minimizer for business- es, but she spent the bulk of her presenta- tion on hand-wrapping techniques. A handmade touch is critical in the packaging, as it's here that the experts' cre- ativity and care shines. Shapiro and Spector pride themselves on their handmade bows— though pull-bows are acceptable to meet a customer's price point. Spector, who fills baskets with sturdy excelsior wood (paper- like shreddings also known as wood wool), believes hand-making the baskets is what keeps customers coming back. "It just looks BEST SELLERS FROM THE PROS Our panel of experts share their most popular gift baskets. CHELSEA MARKET BASKETS: The Chelsea Sweets basket ($85) includes Sarabeth Loaf Cake, Fat Witch Brownies and more. Other top collections: Supreme Snacks (sizes and prices vary) and Notable Noshables ($199). GOURMET AGAIN: Share the Wealth ($49.95), a popular office choice, with chips, cookies and more; My Home Town ($45) showcases Baltimore selections, including Naron's Candy, Baugher's Apple Butter and Old Bay seasoning. MARKETSPICE: The Favorites Gift Basket ($59.95, pictured below) combines teas, cookies, honey and spices, as does its smaller counterpart, the You Are Special Basket ($39.95). Other favorites: MarketSpice Tea & Honey Gift Box ($17.95) and MarketSpice Little Treat ($19.95). TALK OF THE TOWN: Popular signature items include the locally focused Taste of Virginia basket ($48.95) and a decorative glass platter with chocolate-dipped graham crackers, Oreos and pretzels (sizes and prices vary). Unique shape, outrageous taste. It's in our DNA. A twist and a taste like no other. Many layers of sourdough, fine cheese and spices, then twisted and baked twice for the perfect crunch! So unique they can never be cloned. CheeseSticks John Wm. Macy's ® www.cheesesticks.com 26 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com PHOTO: MARKETSPICE

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