Gourmet News

LeMay to Head California Table Grape Commission in 2025

Published May 1, 2023

Ian LeMay, president of the California Fresh Fruit Association, will become president & CEO of the California Table Grape Commission in the spring of 2025. LeMay will succeed Kathleen Nave who has served in the lead staff role since January 1999 when she succeeded Bruce Obbink.

Nave joined the commission in 1987 and plans to retire in the spring of 2025. LeMay will join the commission staff as incoming president once he finds and successfully transitions his successor.

“We are thrilled that Ian accepted the offer to join the commission team and to transition into the lead role,” said Nave. “Ian is successfully leading an important industry organization now and will bring his experience, expertise, character, and knowledge of the issues growers face to the work of the commission. Having worked closely with Ian since he took over as president of the association almost four years ago I have seen his commitment to growers exhibited many times and truly look forward to working with him and watching him take on the worldwide promotion of California table grapes!”

According to Nave, the California Table Grape Commission has a history of choosing its president & CEO carefully and then allowing time for the incoming leader to transition into the role. In its 55 year history there have been only three commission presidents, two of whom served for over 25 years.

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Deep Eddy Vodka Drops New Tea Hard Seltzer – Literally

Published April 28, 2023

Deep Eddy Vodka, one of the fastest-growing American-made spirits brands, has launched its latest line extension, Deep Eddy Vodka + Tea Hard Seltzers. Following the successful entry to the canned ready-to-drink segment with the brand’s now award-winning Deep Eddy Vodka + Soda, the new Vodka + Tea Hard Seltzers will be available in a variety of flavors, including lemon tea, sweet tea and peach tea.

“From the first sip, Deep Eddy’s newest tea seltzers are the perfect balance of refreshing and flavorful. Staying true to the brand’s roots, they are made with real fruit and ingredients – never sacrificing great taste,” said Hannah Venhoff, vice president, Deep Eddy Vodka. “As the hard seltzer category continues to grow and vodka-based seltzers truly take the lead, Deep Eddy is uniquely positioned to innovate in this space, offering new hard seltzers to our lineup for a simple beverage that is light, refreshing and easy.

“Moreover, the new Tea variety is a nod to our origin story with Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka being the first flavor introduced under the Deep Eddy name.”

Deep Eddy Vodka + Tea Hard Seltzers celebrate the Austin-based brand’s first product, Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka, launched 13 years ago. With an unwavering commitment to quality flavors and real ingredients, the premium hard seltzers are created using real vodka, tea and juices with a hint of bubbles for a crisp finish.

To officially launch the new product, the brand posted a live “Tea Minus” style countdown on the brand’s Instagram, @DeepEddyVodka, along with multiple posts alerting Deep Eddy followers and the public of its plans to “drop the tea” on its newest product. Once the live countdown struck zero, Deep Eddy released a video featuring a single can of Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka + Tea Hard Seltzer dropping 5,000 feet from a helicopter – taking drop culture, literally, and to new heights.

Each can of Deep Eddy Vodka + Tea Hard Seltzer is 180 calories, gluten free and contains 4.5% alc/vol. The newest Deep Eddy hard seltzers are available nationwide in a 6-pack variety with a suggested retail of $16.99. Learn more about the brand and find the closest retailer at deepeddyvodka.com.

Deep Eddy Vodka (70-80 proof), a premium spirits brand based in Austin, Texas, is one of the fastest growing premium spirits in the United States. An Established Growth Brand according to Beverage Information Group, the brand is recognized for its unique production process and incorporation of real, natural ingredients in its flavors. Born in Austin.

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Alkaline88 3-Liter Coming to Western C-Store Chain

Published April 26, 2023

The Alkaline Water Company Inc., the country’s largest independent alkaline water company and the Clean Beverage company, announced that the Alkaline88 3-Liter has been incorporated into the cold vault schematics for the summer resets of a top-ten convenience store chain in California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. Approximately 600 locations of the prominent chain will offer Deliciously Smooth Alkaline88, chilled to perfection for on-the-go consumers both day and night. Resets are expected to be finished by July.

“Alkaline88 will be conveniently available in cold vaults throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon, just in time for the warm summer months,” said The Alkaline Water Company’s President and CEO, Frank Chessman. “Alkaline88 is now in thousands of convenience stores across the country.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to expanding our presence and growing our brand in this important channel, the Alkaline88 3-liter is moving from the warm shelves to the refrigerated section in approximately 600 convenience stores throughout the western region. This strategic product placement in a popular convenience store chain enhances our brand’s visibility and makes Alkaline88 an even more enticing grab-and-go option for summer commuters.”

The Alkaline Water Company is the Clean Beverage company making a difference in the water you drink and the world we share.

Founded in 2012, The Alkaline Water Company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz. Its flagship product, Alkaline88, is a leading premier alkaline water brand available in bulk and single-serve sizes along with eco-friendly aluminum packaging options. With its innovative, state-of-the-art proprietary electrolysis process, Alkaline88 delivers perfect 8.8 pH alkaline drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and boasts our trademarked “Clean Beverage” label. In 2021,

The Alkaline Water Company was pleased to welcome Shaquille O’Neal to its board of advisors and to serve as the celebrity brand ambassador for Alkaline88.

To purchase The Alkaline Water Company’s products online, visit us at www.alkaline88.com.

To learn more about The Alkaline Water Company, please visit www.thealkalinewaterco.com or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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