APRIL 2009: SPRING IS UPON US!


Mann Packing Company has proudly been providing excellent fresh cut vegetables to the United States and Canada for 70 years. This family owned and operated business currently has 3 generations working side by side on a daily basis. The Ramsey's and the Nucci's are going strong!


Featured from left to right are: Cody Ramsey, Bixby Ramsey, Bill Ramsey, Lorri Koster, Dick Ramsey, Jeff Ramsey, Mike Jarrard, Gina Nucci and Mike Costa

Green Cleaning Recipes
Everyone is trying to turn over a new leaf, a green one to be exact, and save money too. I have a book written in 1907 at home, titled "Blue Ribbon Cookbook" that belonged to my grandmother. It is not only for food recipes, but cleaning recipes also. I can't believe they made their own soap back then! The farther we move ahead with technology I am surprised to discover some simpler and cheaper methods for cleaning from past generations. We are all trying to save money right now, and these ideas may help you.

Wood Furniture Polish: Mix 1 part strained lemon juice and 2 parts olive oil. It makes the wood shine beautifully.
Scouring: For tough spots to clean (burnt pots, marks in the sink) try baking soda and warm water, instead of your favorite abrasive scrubbing powder.
Disinfect Counters & Carpet Stain Remover: white distilled vinegar removes carpet stains and also disinfects your counters. Spray away.
Window Cleaner: Mix a little vinegar with water, but it in a spray bottle and use it to clean your windows and mirrors. If you still get a newspaper delivered, use that instead of paper towels and there will be no streaks.
Mildew Remover: 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray, let it set for 10 minutes and the mold and mildew is gone.
Cleaning Silver: Instead of the costly cleaning pastes, grab your toothpaste and a soft rag. The tarnish will disappear!

Below are a few more sites that are full of ideas to help you save money by using the supplies you already have in your house! And the bonus is that these homemade cleaners are easier on the planet!

Clean & Green: Website
Care2 How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit: Website

May is National Stroke Awareness Month
Strokes are the number 3 cause of death in America. The information below has been obtained from the American Heart Association to help you determine the signs of a stroke.

Stroke Warning Signs:
If you or someone with you has one or more of these signs, don't delay!
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.

Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can Read Entire Article

Mother's Day - Celebrate Your Mom !!
Wherever your mom is on May 10th, please celebrate her! For all of the bedtime stories she read, letting you cook with her in the kitchen and make a mess, fixing your scrapes, hugging your tears away, laughing when you chased her with lizards and the countless other things mom's just do. Every mom is unique and teaches us different lessons in life. Some mom's cook, some don't. Some mom's work, some stay home. But the day each of us was born, our mom's looked into our eyes and saw the possibilities of our lives. So celebrate her in every way you can!

Making her dinner and cleaning up the dishes would be a treat any mom would love. Don't forget the Broccolini® with that fabulous dinner you are planning to make! Broccolini Recipes

Beware of Broccolini Imposters
Don't be fooled: Imposter veggies posing as foodie favorite Broccolini®

SALINAS, Calif. - May 5, 2009 - Foodies beware; there may be an imposter on your plate or in our store.

The flavorful and beautiful Broccolini® (a natural hybrid between broccoli and gai lan/Chinese Kale) has become a favorite of foodies, with its sweet taste and elegant, brilliant green appearance.

Unfortunately new "copy cat" vegetable varieties that taste NOTHING like Broccolini® are hitting the market. Often called "baby broccoli" these copy cats may look like Broccolini®, but don't be fooled. One variety is 75 percent broccoli and only 25 percent gai lan / Chinese Kale). They taste tough and bitter with no hint of the sweet, peppery taste Broccolini® is known for.
Read Entire Article

May Also Celebrates Memorial Day & National Barbeque Month
We got off to a great start in May with Cinco de Mayo, next week is Mothers Day, and it wraps up with Memorial Day. So of course it makes sense that it would be National Barbeque Month. What better way to celebrate our men and women that have served our country through peace and war, than to gather with friends and family and barbeque something delicious. There is always room on the barbeque to throw on some Mann's Fresh Cut Vegetables. Grilled veggies are a healthy side dish full of vitamins, you can't go wrong!




Mann Packing Partners with Wholly Guacamole
MANN PACKING STIRS UP A FIESTA WITH WHOLLY GUACAMOLE Instant redeemable offer and delicious new recipes

SALINAS, Calif. - April 16, 2009 - Just in time for Cinco de Mayo festivities, Mann Packing is partnering in a new promotion with Wholly Guacamole that is sure to get shoppers saying ole!

Beginning April 24, shoppers can save $1 on purchases of Wholly Guacamole or Wholly Salsa with the purchase of a 12-ounce package of Mann's Broccoli Wokly® or Mann's Broccoli Cole Slaw.
Read Entire Article
Broccoli Recipes

The Women & Men Behind Mann!
Mann Employee Profile
Employee: Angie Hernandez

Angie Hernandez is meticulous about details, a quality that serves her well as the supervisor of payroll and benefits for Mann Packing Company, as well as in her other role as a cake decorator.

"I love to cook and I love to see the outcome of my cakes," Angie said. Angie started her cake business, A Piece of Cake by Angelique, 15 years ago. It evolved after ordering a cake for her son that was disappointing.

Today she takes custom orders as well as makes cakes for the staff at Mann. Angie made the company's cake for its 60 anniversary celebration.

Angie joined the personnel department at Mann in November 1995 and now supervises the HR department of three. She is one of the go-to-persons for the company's 500 employees.
Read Entire Article

Consumer Questions & Answers
Most frequently asked questions for April 2009:

Question # 1 : The Broccoli Cole Slaw Recipe has changed, and I need the one that had the pineapple

Answer # 1 : We change the recipes about every 6 months. The recipe you are referring to is located on our website. Please click on this link for the recipe. Broccoli Cole Slaw with Pineapple

Question # 2: I love the dip in your veggie platters and the Snacks on the Go. Where can I purchase this separately?

Answer #2: Unfortunately, this is a special blend made exclusively for Mann and it is not available for sale by the manufacturer.

Consumer Comment:
We received an email this past month from David in Chicago, Illinois. He recently turned 50 and decided to get back in shape. He joined his company's "Biggest Loser Contest" weighing in at 316 pounds. He wrote to tell us that he just discovered Mann's products (70 years strong!). Instead of buying a head of cauliflower he purchased Mann's Broccoli Cauliflower and steamed it. He lost 12 pounds in the 1st week, and says "I noticed your product and how easy it looked to prepare. Put the head of cauliflower back, bought two B & C bags, it was delicious, just like my mom's cauliflower she prepared years ago. Not only is this product delicious, it's fast, easy, and best of all it's very good for you with minimal calories. I have a bag with me today at work, can't wait to eat. I am your new P.R. guy, showed all the guys at work this morning."

David is off to a great start for his new healthy lifestyle, and we hope he checks in with us every month so we can keep applauding his success! We will share his good news with you, when we hear from him.

May is truly a busy month. We have one more month of spring and then summer will be here. Make the most of each day and remember this month what your mother said, " Eat your broccoli". Call or email us for coupons and we will help you out.

Sincerely,

Susan Cameron
Mann Packing Co.
Fresh Vegetables Made Easy!