June 2010 Gourmet News Features New for 2010 Canterbury Naturals Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Mix & Dulce De Leche Cocoa Mix Canterbury Naturals offers healthy, natural products. Read More... April 2010 Canterbury Naturals Fudge Mix By Deborah Markus I'm a chocolate writer because chocolate is an essential part of my life. I read about it, write about it, think about it, devour it, and though I never thought of myself as a food writer before I started working here, I've been inspired to come up with original recipes just by looking at a dish I enjoy and thinking, "What if I added chocolate to that?" (Note to aspiring food writers: This doesn't work all the time, or even most of the time. Chocolate with macaroni and cheese, for instance, is absolutely off limits.) Read More... April 2010 Culinary Herbs Guide Canterbury Naturals Mediterranean Savory Herb Flatbread Hand-Crafted Baking Mix, 11.5-Ounce Boxes Mrs. Spudman picked up a box of Canterbury Naturals locally , and we recently sampled the Mediterranean Savory Herb flatbread. We like that the product is all natural, easy and quick to bake, and includes yeast and seasoning in the box. Read More... February 2010 Simple Bites Basket Giveaway! 4. Canterbury Naturals The Canterbury Naturals line of specialty baking and soup mixes features all natural ingredients, and contains no trans fats, hydrogenated oils, colorings or preservatives. Their product lines offer home-style recipe tradition with products that are easy and fun to prepare, not to mention wholesome and delicious! The Canterbury brand has become known as a leader of simple, upscale and affordable gourmet foods for everyday cooking, special occasions and gift giving. Read More... February 2010 Conifer Specialties Artisan soup and dessert mixes expand Canterbury Naturals line By Sarah Muir, Natural Food Network, New Products Editor Conifer Specialties Inc., who produces and market under the Canterbury Naturals, Canterbury Organics, and Fisher Scones brand names, has launched an array of all-natural comfort food favorites under their Canterbury Naturals brand. New products include: Coconut Macaroon Cookie Mix; On the Bayou Jambalaya Soup Mix; Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Mix; Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix; Classic Vanilla Sugar Cookie with Icing Mix; and Dulce de Leche Hot Cocoa. Read More... February 2010 Deal Seeking Mom Valentine's Day Gift Guide Canterbury Naturals Chocolate Peppermint Truffle Mix Even the most kitchen-challenged lady can treat her sweetie to a homemade indulgence with this Canterbury Naturals Dark Chocolate Truffle Mix. Read More... January 2010 Gourmet News Buyer's Guide Canterbury Naturals is featured in the Gourmet News Baking Mix Buyers Guide. Read More... Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Conifer Specialties ~ Canterbury Naturals 2010 Collection SEATTLE–Conifer Specialties Inc. released its Canterbury Naturals 2010 Collection of new artisan soups, flatbreads, dessert and beverage mixes. Read More... Friday, September 18, 2009 Sticking close to its original recipe, Conifer Specialties Inc. enjoys increased revenue growth Cooking up success Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) by Steve Wilhelm Staff Writer Photo: Dan Schlatter You might say Mike Maher lives his work. Maher, CEO of Conifer Specialties Inc., has worked for the dry food processing company he now runs for his entire working life. He started there when he was 15. And now, at a time when many companies are stumbling in the recession, Conifer is on a roll... Read More...

October 2009

October 12, 2009

Conifer Employs Food Scientist to Cook Up New Products
Recent Growth Spurs Expanded In-House Development

Woodinville, WA—Conifer Specialties, a purveyor of specialty foods, recently added Felicia Platt as its food scientist. The position was created as a result of rapid sales growth this year. Sales of Conifer’s Canterbury Naturals line of all-natural artisan soups increased 100% in 2009 through the addition of more than 19,200 new points of distribution in 3,750 stores. Canterbury Naturals mixes are now available nationwide in more than 6,000 stores, including Whole Foods and Kroger stores.

To capitalize on the national presence of the Canterbury Naturals line and keep pace with consumer demand, Platt will research and develop new soup formulas and create recipes based on Conifer’s mixes. Platt, with an M.S. in Food Science & Nutrition, has extensive experience creating and working with dry spice and soup pre-mixes, as well as developing gluten-free baking formulations.

Previously, Platt worked with CP Kelco and Custom Blending, Inc., where she formulated new products and conducted consumer sensory evaluations to judge acceptance of new product formulations. Platt has performed laboratory food testing and evaluated ingredients from external vendors. Platt will use her culinary and food science knowledge to help create new and exciting products for Conifer’s 2010 line. It’s all part of Conifer’s commitment to continue bringing consumers the latest in high-quality, all-natural foods to cook at home.

“With more and more Americans eating in, we’re striving to offer an ever-growing menu of healthy, tasty options for our customers,” said Mike Maher, CEO of Conifer Specialties. “People have grown to trust Canterbury Naturals. The addition of Felicia Platt will help us develop delicious new products and introduce upcoming food trends to the home kitchen.”

The company also recently received the Gold Status rating from a Silliker audit for food processing standards. The rating is based on the highest rating possible in six categories - food safety, plant grounds-keeping, building and equipment maintenance, plant sanitation, pest control and warehouse/logistics management. Silliker is the leading international network of accredited independent audit and testing laboratories serving the food processing, retail, and food service industries.

The Canterbury Naturals line features quality ingredients and contains no trans fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial additives, preservatives or colorings. Canterbury Naturals also has reduced packaging on the line of soups by 60% and made the packaging 100% recyclable and is now completely free of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in addition to being all natural or organic.

The 2009 soup and flatbread collection includes favorites like the Rustic Fireside Tortilla Soup, Savory Herb and Cheese Tortellini Soup, and Tuscan Aged Parmesan Flatbread baking mix. See below for a list of 2009 Soups and Flatbreads.

# # #

Conifer Specialties Inc. produces Canterbury Naturals. Conifer markets a diverse range of premium products from its headquarters in Woodinville, WA, and has been celebrating the agricultural richness of the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years through its wide array of specialty foods. Conifer produces and markets under the brand names of Canterbury Naturals, Canterbury Organics, and Fisher Scones, as well as under custom label.

2009 Canterbury Naturals Collection
All Natural or Organic Artisan Soup & Flatbread Mixes

Creamy Country Potato
This exquisitely smooth soup is rich in the homemade flavor of potatoes, carrots and onions. It is gently seasoned with sea salt, pepper and garlic.

Organic Garden Harvest Split Pea
Seasoned with sea salt, black pepper and garlic, we’ve added tomatoes, parsley, carrots and onions to our green and yellow split peas to make this hearty soup a satisfying meal in itself.

Rustic Fireside Tortilla
The simmering flavor of tomatoes, leeks, peppers, and onions will warmly invite the appetite of family and friends. The spicy zest of chili, cumin, and garlic complete this artisan blend.

Organic Hearty Bistro Lentil Our Lentil Soup
is a full-bodied blend of organic lentils, onions and tomatoes. As this soup gently cooks, spices increase the full flavors of this informal favorite.

Savory Herb & Cheese Tortellini
This soup summons the Mediterranean with the rich aroma of garlic, onion, tomato, and zucchini. A touch of nutmeg is added to a blend of savory herbs—thyme, basil, and oregano to our carefully crafted cheese filled tortellini.

Old World Sundried Tomato Flatbread
The sundried tomatoes, oregano and cilantro in our seasoning blend add a gourmet touch to this flatbread mix. Add bits of fresh oregano and brush on olive oil to enhance flavors of the Old World.

Tuscan Aged Parmesan Flatbread
Aged Parmesan cheese and sea salt are a perfect complement to our Tuscan flatbread. Moisten finished bread with olive oil and sprinkle fresh rosemary, oregano, or garlic for a true Tuscan delight.

Mediterranean Savory Herb Flatbread
The sweet and savory herbal blend of oregano, thyme, fennel, and marjoram will bring the taste of the Mediterranean to your own kitchen.>

Friday, September 18, 2009

Manitoba man making long drive to put Puyallup biscuits in his basket
by Morris Malakoff

In Canada, when a player scores a goal in hockey, they say he “put the biscuit in the basket”. Now, a Winnipeg, Manitoba man is taking that a step further...
Read More...