“The New York Produce Show is a good expo,” said Louis Hymel, director of purchasing and marketing for Spice World Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL.

“It provides us with a great opportunity to see many of our customers in the region,” he said. “We invite all visitors to see our wide selection of products at Booth No. 477.”

Spice World has a long family tradition in the garlic and spice categories. The company was founded in 1949 by Andy Caneza, and it is still family owned and operated today. Many of the third generation family members are now active in the business.

Spice Worlds’ booth drew great responses when introduced at PMA Fresh Summit.According to IRI [a leading market and shopper information research firm] data, consumers have made Spice World America’s No. 1 Selling Garlic Brand in the retail marketplace. The company, however, also has foodservice and industrial divisions. It markets and distributes all of its products nationwide, and it exports to foreign countries.

Spice World has been exhibiting at the New York Produce Show, being held this year at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center North Hall in Manhattan on Dec. 2-4, since its inception.

Hymel noted, “Holding the show in New York City during December will be a unique experience.”

Spice World offers a full line of a variety of sizes, packages and value-added garlic, spices and herbs. Its garlic line includes bulk, fresh in cello or mesh bags and peeled, ready-to-use jarred garlic. The company exceeded all of its expectations with the great and growing success of its now very popular “Squeeze Garlic,” which was introduced in 2010. Last year, it added “Grill Garlic-Q” barbeque sauce to its “Squeeze Garlic” line.

“Squeeze Garlic” took off with a huge bang when it was introduced in its original 20-ounce bottle. Since then, the company introduced a 9.5-ounce size. Launching the popular condiment in an organic option was simply the next logical move. And in April 2012, Spice World did just that.

The company has offered an extensive organic line for over a decade. All of the company’s garlic — conventional and organic — is produced in the United States, but to live up to its guarantee to always supply only the freshest garlic to its customers, it imports from South and Central America at different times of the year.

Food safety and traceability are at the top of Spice World’s list of important issues.

“The industry is acutely aware of the importance of food safety and traceability today,” said Hymel. “Being completely vertically integrated in the garlic industry, Spice World has the ability of knowing the full journey of our products. Our in-house lab is equipped for complete testing ability.”

“Food safety along with all the latest and greatest technology for traceability is very important to us,” he continued. ”Our Quality Assurance Department is always on top of these important initiatives within our business.”

He noted that the company continually updates its facilities with things such as new packaging equipment to help increase the company’s efficiencies.