Eagle Rock's Taste Of Alaska - One Year After Its Debut
http://www.globalfoodcollaborative.com/articles/155/1/Eagle-Rocks-Taste-Of-Alaska---One-Year-After-Its-Debut-/Page1.html
Collaborative INSIGHTS
By Collaborative INSIGHTS
Published on 26 June 2008
We asked James Gillespie, co-owner of Eagle Rock's Taste of Alaska for an update on their new innovative product. For those that haven't seen the product - it is a gourmet salmon blend with organic spices that can be used in a myriad of recipes. Made from Alaska wild salmon, the product was a show stopper last year. The product could be kept frozen and used for all sorts of food service applications with all of the health benefits that consumers want today.
We asked James Gillespie for a quick update.
We asked James Gillespie, co-owner of Eagle Rock's Taste of Alaska for an update on their new innovative product. For those that haven't seen the product - it is a gourmet salmon blend with organic spices that can be used in a myriad of recipes. Made from Alaska wild salmon, the product was a show stopper last year. The product could be kept frozen and used for all sorts of food service applications with all of the health benefits that consumers want today. We asked James Gillespie for a quick update.
Low sodium, low fat, low calorie, Omega 3's and tastes good, too.
CI: You debuted your new salmon blend last year at this time. Since then, where is it being sold commercially?
James Gillespie: Provvista Specialty Foods in Portland began handling our product in March. They service New Seasons, an upscale health food grocery chain in Oregon as well other health grocery type stores and restaurants. On June 25th, New Seasons did in-store demos with our product and it was a huge success. Provvista has invited us to attend their open house in September to meet with all their customers personally and talk about our product. They service about 300 retail and restaurant locations in Oregon. We are also in Three Bears Grocery stores in Alaska.
CI: What are you discovering from your customers about the product?
James Gillespie: Our customers are thrilled at the 'versatility' of our product, which allows them to use Wild Alaskan Salmon in so many different ways. They love the health benefits of Alaskan Salmon and the 'taste' of our product because of the organic spice blend. Due to this response, we are in the process of changing the product name from 'Salmon Sausage' to 'Gourmet Salmon/Organic Spice Blend.' We are seeing a more receptive consumer response from a marketing stand point using this name. Also, since it is made from top grade fillets calling it 'sausage' actually misrepresents the product.
Our Island Delight; a mango, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeno blend with our product is getting huge praises. Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Party Balls are also a big hit for party favors and can be used in pasta or a salad. They are a blend of our gourmet salmon, feta cheese, onions, red pepper and coated with ground flax seed. These are but a few of our hit recipes and there are many more on our website. We are also seeing our customers using it in many of their own recipes instead of beef or chicken.
CI: What makes this a good buy for grocery or food service buyers?
James Gillespie: Not to repeat myself, but being able to use our Gourmet Salmon in such a diverse way is the main selling point of our product. For breakfast, lunch and dinner you can incorporate our Gourmet Salmon into most any recipe that requires meat. Look at it this way, salmon sausage patties, omelets and breakfast burritos; to pizza toppings, chili, burgers on the grill, and quiches this product does it all! Why wouldn't it be a hit?
CI: What do your hear from your customers that makes your product stand out?
James Gillespie: Not sure any food could have more health benefit and few calories for a full meal.
The health conscious consumer, of which there are many nowadays, is looking for products that are not only healthy, but taste good. The trend toward Alaskan Salmon is obvious, and our product gives them that and more. They love the fact our Gourmet Salmon is from Alaska, it is low sodium, low fat, low calorie, and that it tastes so good because of our organic spice blend. All in all, you would be hard pressed to find a product that fits the bill across the board they way our Gourmet Salmon does. One thing we have found a lot of our customers want a spicy version and we are in the process of releasing a 'Mild Jalapeno' version in the very near future.
CI: Where can the salmon blend product be ordered by commercial buyers?
James Gillespie: In Alaska, the product can be ordered from Food Services of America. We have been slotted there with items numbers, but they won't stock us until they see enough orders to do so. In Oregon, Provvista Specialty Foods is the wholesaler for our product and can be contacted by calling 503-228-7676.
Orders can also be placed by fax or via e-mail and they will be filled from our storage facility in Alaska.
James Gillespie
Eagle Rock's Taste Of Alaska
334-358-1249 Phone
334-358-1806 Fax
James Gillespie: Provvista Specialty Foods in Portland began handling our product in March. They service New Seasons, an upscale health food grocery chain in Oregon as well other health grocery type stores and restaurants. On June 25th, New Seasons did in-store demos with our product and it was a huge success. Provvista has invited us to attend their open house in September to meet with all their customers personally and talk about our product. They service about 300 retail and restaurant locations in Oregon. We are also in Three Bears Grocery stores in Alaska.
CI: What are you discovering from your customers about the product?
James Gillespie: Our customers are thrilled at the 'versatility' of our product, which allows them to use Wild Alaskan Salmon in so many different ways. They love the health benefits of Alaskan Salmon and the 'taste' of our product because of the organic spice blend. Due to this response, we are in the process of changing the product name from 'Salmon Sausage' to 'Gourmet Salmon/Organic Spice Blend.' We are seeing a more receptive consumer response from a marketing stand point using this name. Also, since it is made from top grade fillets calling it 'sausage' actually misrepresents the product.
Our Island Delight; a mango, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeno blend with our product is getting huge praises. Our Wild Alaskan Salmon Party Balls are also a big hit for party favors and can be used in pasta or a salad. They are a blend of our gourmet salmon, feta cheese, onions, red pepper and coated with ground flax seed. These are but a few of our hit recipes and there are many more on our website. We are also seeing our customers using it in many of their own recipes instead of beef or chicken.
CI: What makes this a good buy for grocery or food service buyers?
James Gillespie: Not to repeat myself, but being able to use our Gourmet Salmon in such a diverse way is the main selling point of our product. For breakfast, lunch and dinner you can incorporate our Gourmet Salmon into most any recipe that requires meat. Look at it this way, salmon sausage patties, omelets and breakfast burritos; to pizza toppings, chili, burgers on the grill, and quiches this product does it all! Why wouldn't it be a hit?
CI: What do your hear from your customers that makes your product stand out?
James Gillespie: Not sure any food could have more health benefit and few calories for a full meal.
The health conscious consumer, of which there are many nowadays, is looking for products that are not only healthy, but taste good. The trend toward Alaskan Salmon is obvious, and our product gives them that and more. They love the fact our Gourmet Salmon is from Alaska, it is low sodium, low fat, low calorie, and that it tastes so good because of our organic spice blend. All in all, you would be hard pressed to find a product that fits the bill across the board they way our Gourmet Salmon does. One thing we have found a lot of our customers want a spicy version and we are in the process of releasing a 'Mild Jalapeno' version in the very near future.
CI: Where can the salmon blend product be ordered by commercial buyers?
James Gillespie: In Alaska, the product can be ordered from Food Services of America. We have been slotted there with items numbers, but they won't stock us until they see enough orders to do so. In Oregon, Provvista Specialty Foods is the wholesaler for our product and can be contacted by calling 503-228-7676.
Orders can also be placed by fax or via e-mail and they will be filled from our storage facility in Alaska.
James Gillespie
Eagle Rock's Taste Of Alaska
334-358-1249 Phone
334-358-1806 Fax