La Farge, WI – Organic Valley, the nation's largest cooperative of organic farmers and a leading organic brand, today announced the launch of Organic Valley American Cheese Singles-unprocessed, 100 percent real organic cheese slices, as opposed to "processed cheese food," perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, lunches and snacks. Organic Valley is the only national brand to produce unprocessed, organic American Cheese Singles.
Whether classically grilled, paired with other sandwich fillings, or simply folded over for a bite on the go, American families love American Cheese. Processed American Cheese slices are by far America's most purchased cheese category. According to a 2011 Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board Cheese Consumption Data, the "American Single Slice" is the number one selling cheese SKU in the U.S., with more than 300 million pounds of individually wrapped American Pasteurized Processed Cheese Food sold in 2010. Two-thirds of consumers eating sliced cheese are eating American cheese, and naturally, households with children are significantly more likely to buy individually wrapped cheese.
Many organic consumers, however, want to avoid emulsifiers and are seeking foods that are minimally processed. According to the "2011 American Singles In-Home Taste Test Pre-Survey" conducted by the Children's Development Corporation, the two most important decision factors for buying organic American Cheese are quality of ingredients and organic certification. In the same survey, it was found that cheese lovers prefer Organic Valley American Singles over processed Horizon Organic American Singles by a margin of 2 to 1. In fact, more than 40% of households surveyed who are not currently buying American Cheese said they would be highly likely to purchase if Organic Valley American Singles were sold at their local store.
Organic Valley American Singles are mild, smooth-melting, delicious yellow cheese slices made from the same ingredients as all Organic Valley cheese: gluten-free and produced without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, toxic pesticides or GMOs from the dedicated farmer-owners of Organic Valley. Organic Valley American Singles are real cheese pre-sliced right off a block of mild, high-moisture organic Colby-style cheese, neatly divided with slips of earth-friendly parchment to prevent sticking, and ready to go in an eight-ounce package.
The organic milk used to make Organic Valley American Singles comes from pasture-fed cows and is an excellent source of easily absorbed calcium for the 78 percent of Americans believed to be calcium deficient, according to a continuing survey by the USDA. The American Singles are also a good source of protein, phosphorous and riboflavin.
Organic Valley American Singles have a suggested retail price of $5.69 and will be available in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives across the country in June 2012. Organic Valley American Singles will be launched to the trade in Anaheim, Calif., at the 2012 Natural Products Expo West. Visit Organic Valley at Booth #2414 in Hall C.
Organic Valley: Independent and Farmer-Owned
Organic Valley is America's largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation's leading organic brands. Organized in 1988, it represents 1,687 farmers in 35 states and three Canadian provinces, and achieved $715 million in 2011 sales. Focused on its founding mission of saving family farms through organic farming, Organic Valley produces a variety of organic foods, including organic milk, soy, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce and juice, which are sold in supermarkets, natural foods stores and food cooperatives nationwide. With its regional model, milk is produced, bottled and distributed right in the region where it is farmed to ensure fewer miles from farm to table and to support our local economies. The same farmers who produce for Organic Valley also produce a full range of delicious organic meat under the Organic Prairie label. For further information, call 1-888-444-MILK or visit www.organicvalley.coop, www.organicprairie.coop and the cooperative's farmer website, www.farmers.coop. Organic Valley is also on Twitter @OrganicValley and Facebook www.facebook.com/OrganicValley.
Source: Organic Valley