New Freshtables SteamPerfect Makes Fresh, Great Tasting Vegetables and Fruits Easy While Maximizing Nutritional Value

20/06/07 Freshtables SteamPerfect is a new line of fresh vegetables and fruits with chef created sauces sold in unique steaming bags that steam the product perfect in the microwave in just about two minutes. Freshtables are nutritious, fresh and simple to prepare and provide consumers with what they want -- convenient, healthy food that tastes great.

Freshtables SteamPerfect products will be available in the produce section (near the lettuce, carrots, and salads) of grocery stores beginning this month in regional markets and will then expand to a national roll-out.

Research shows the nutritional value of vegetables is integral to overall health and wellness and yet a new survey shows that less than one-third of Americans are eating the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.) Freshtables SteamPerfect answers the 4 S's:

-- Steams: The best cooking format to retain nutrients;
-- Sauces: Chef created which equals value enhanced vegetables and fruits with excellent taste;
-- Speed: Cooks in about 2 minutes; and
-- Selection: Nine trend setting varieties from which to choose.

"Steaming is the best cooking method to retain nutrients and it is a healthy method of preparing foods," said Darci Eckermann, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for The Sholl Group II. "Boosting vegetable consumption is an important step to lowering cancer risk and promoting overall health, but preparing them in a way that maximizes their nutritional value is equally important. The nutritional benefits of microwave steaming are better than cooking with water or traditional cooking. In fact, more than twice as many vitamins are preserved by cooking with the Freshtables proprietary microwave bags than by boiling vegetables."

Scientific analysis shows that too much heat and water can cause the loss of some vitamins, minerals and other healthful plant compounds called phytochemicals. The key to retaining vegetables' nutrients is to cook them quickly and with little water.

The Freshtables SteamPerfect varieties are available in 12-ounce packages in nine chef created varieties with the suggested retail price of $3.99:

-- Red Apples and Raisins with Cinnamon Sauce
-- Broccoli and Baby Slim Carrots with Cheese Sauce
-- Broccoli and Baby Slim Carrots with Garlic Butter
-- Butternut Squash with Cinnamon Sauce
-- Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce
-- Vegetable Medley with Cheese Sauce
-- Green Beans with Garlic Butter
-- Sugar Snap Peas and Baby Slim Carrots with Southwest Sauce
-- Baby Slim Carrots with Chive Butter