Dole Salads' Taste Of Spain Initiative Sparks Consumers' Culinary 'Ole'

MONTEREY, Calif. — In its ongoing effort to showcase salad’s limitless possibilities, Dole Salads is borrowing from the colors, flavors and passion of Spain and Spanish tapas cuisine to inspire culinary creativity.

Dole’s Taste of Spain initiative combines a national, collect-and-win meets instant win online game with new, delicious Spanish-influenced recipes, serving suggestions, and House Parties to spark consumers’ creativity, imagination and culinary “ole.” Participating consumers have the chance to win more than 10,000 instant prizes and a grand prize culinary trip to Spain for two valued at $40,000.

“From Madrid to Seville to Barcelona to San Sebastian, Spain offers some of the world’s most diverse tastes, ingredients and culinary traditions,” said Shannon Yamada, marketing brand manager for Dole Fresh Vegetables. “This vibrant, food-sharing heritage serves as the perfect inspiration for our summer celebration, and the impetus for a new global level of salad-based experimentation and exploration.”

“We’re combining the social, creatively charged nature of Spanish tapas cuisine with the wholesome indulgence of DOLE Salads to create a refreshing new way to approach summer salad-making, meal-planning and entertaining.”

Dole’s Taste of Spain Game

The Taste of Spain game offers consumers the chance to  play online with codes found on Spanish-themed game pieces found inside more than 34 million specially marked DOLE Salads blends and all-natural kits available nationally through August 13. Participants have the chance to win one of more than 10,000 instant prizes, or collect all five Taste of Spain ingredients online. One grand prize winner could receive a nine-day cultural and culinary exploration of Spain for two people valued at $40,000.

To register and play, participants must go to the Taste of Spain registration page using their desktop or mobile device and enter a unique code found inside their DOLE Salad bag (a free alternate method of obtaining codes is also available). They’ll then learn if they’ve won an instant prize and will receive an ingredient for their virtual game board.  Each of the five ingredients representing classic Spanish ingredients – tomato, grape, garlic, cheese and one rare olive – must be collected to win the grand prize.

Among the instant-win prizes are a variety of items to help consumers throw a salad-based Spanish fiesta, including coupons for free bags of DOLE Salad blends and kits; $10 music download gift cards; hand-painted Spanish ceramics including Sangria pitchers, tapas trays and salad bowls; and authentic olive wood cutting boards and salad bowls carved by artisans in Navarra, Spain.

Upon registering, participants are given the chance to become a member of the Dole Salad Circle to be among the first to receive new recipe ideas and exclusive offers. Salad Circle members and non-members can also access Dole’s growing library of unique recipes, serving suggestions and culinary tips and how-tos.

For Official Rules and game details visit http://bit.ly/ZF6bHi.

Taste of Spain House Parties

A highlight of the program is a series of Dole Salads Taste of Spain House Parties that give salad fans throughout the country the opportunity to host their own unique salad-based Spanish fiesta for 12 of their family and friends on or around June 29. Selected party hosts will receive a Spanish-themed Party Pack featuring free DOLE Salad coupons, Spanish-inspired recipes, serving and entertaining tips, and festive surprises designed to help them plan the ultimate salad-sharing experience.

Consumers must apply on the Dole Salads Taste of Spain House Party page before June 3 to be considered as a Dole Salads Taste of Spain House Party host. Consumers who aren’t selected to receive a Party Pack can still join in on the coast-to-coast celebration by organizing their own Spanish-themed party. Downloadable recipes, serving suggestions and entertaining tips will be available after June 3 in the party favors section of the Dole Salads Taste of Spain House Party site.

Dole will also be offering Taste of Spain recipes, party tips and more on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DOLESalads) throughout the promotional period.

Spanish Salad Recipes and Culinary Inspiration

At the culinary heart of Taste of Spain is an array of new Spanish-themed recipes and serving, pairing and entertaining tips specifically designed to expand the boundaries of salad- and vegetable-based cuisine. These include Southern Spanish Market Salad, Spanish Tapas with Tuna, Granada Seafood Salad and Mediterranean Salad with Red Grapes and Spanish Sausage.

“Our new Spanish dishes are intended to widen consumers’ horizons beyond thinking about salad solely as a side dish,” said Yamada. “The rich Spanish tradition of culinary creativity and sharing is a perfect example of what’s possible.”

About DOLE® Salads

DOLE Salads is one of the world’s largest lines of packaged salads, with 47 unique salad blends and all-natural salad kits. The line is supported by a comprehensive online library of salad and salad-based recipes, as well as various consumer-friendly tools like the on-pack DOLE® Salad Guide, Taste and Texture scales, and “Pairs well with” feature, as well as the Dole Salad Circle online community of salad lovers.  For details, go to www.salads.dole.com or the DOLE Salads Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DOLESalads.

About Dole Food Company, Inc.

Dole Food Company with 2012 revenues of $4.2 billion, is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of high-quality fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, Dole is an industry leader in many of the products it sells, as well as in nutrition education and research. For more information, please visit www.dole.com or http://investors.dole.com

About House Party

House Party makes it easy to have a party in your own home and get exclusive access to awesome products for you and your friends. They provide the fun; you provide the food, your friends and feedback and promise to have an amazing time.

Their parties are sponsored by the brands you love. By hosting, you and your guests get to try their products and receive an incredible Party Pack chock-full of goodies! You don’t pay anything or sell anything. Your party just went from event to epic!

Source: Dole Food Company, Inc.