Iceberg lettuce gets much of its attention nowadays as a main component in bagged salad mixes and as an Iceberg wedge salad. But Salinas-based Boggiatto Produce's Iceberg Babies are coming on, having caught the attention of at least one national restaurant chain.

The variety of Iceberg lettuce is no bigger than a 12-inch softball. It is the "mini-me" of the lettuce industry.

Boggiatto Produce is the only U.S. grower licensed to grow and sell the baby heads of Iceberg. The company started experimenting with the seed for the Iceberg Babies about four years ago.

The Iceberg Babies aren't in grocery stores yet, but the company is working on packaging for retail. Michael Boggiatto, general manager of the company, said that he is focused on getting them into commercial foodservice operations first. Restaurants in Los Angeles and Las Vegas have picked up the item, and a national restaurant chain is about to add the item to its menus, Mr. Boggiatto said.

Iceberg Babies have the same crispness but not the denseness of full-sized Iceberg lettuce, Mr. Boggiatto said, adding that people claim that Iceberg Babies taste sweeter and that they create "such a dramatic presentation on the plate."


Sweet-Balance Sweepstakes draws strong response After just one month promoting the Sweet-Balance Sweepstakes offer on California Giant Berry Farms, clamshells and Litehouse Fruit Dips, the official entry web site has received more than 49,000 hits.

According to early reports, Sweet-Balance has a very strong response rate with more than 85 percent of the number of people who looked at the page actually following through to complete the entry form. Consumer demographics and survey information are being collected on each entry for future use by the partners in the promotion.

Cal Giant plans to analyze the data collected on entries to share with its retail partners evaluating consumer shopping behavior, attitudes and preferences. Additionally, the company is developing new communication tools that target consumers in the database to further educate them about Cal Giant products and to develop increased brand loyalty.

In addition to on-pack details, the sweeps offer is being advertised in the June issue of Health magazine on store shelves this month. The magazine also will be submitting an e-mail blast to all its subscribers on June 15 promoting the sweepstakes with a link to the entry site encouraging consumers to participate.

Partners in the sweepstakes are Cal Giant, Nautilus and Litehouse Dressing. The promotion runs through July 10 and is communicated through an on-pack offer, in-store p-o-s and advertising through Health magazine. The grand-prize winners will receive a complete home gym from Nautilus. Several secondary prizes also will be awarded from Nautilus.

Sweet-Balance sweepstakes is focused on communicating health and fitness to consumers and provides healthy recipes using Cal Giant berries and Litehouse yogurt-based dips.


Koster selected as Ag Against Hunger's Ag Woman of the Year Lorri Koster, the principal behind marketing and public relations consultancy Koster Communications, has been selected as Salinas-based Ag Against Hunger's Ag Woman of the Year.

Each year for the past 13 years, Ag Against Hunger has recognized a woman who has contributed significantly to the success of the tri-county (Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties) agricultural industry. The award seeks to honor unique leadership qualities held by women working within the tri-county agricultural industry.

The award was announced June 7 at the 13th annual Ag Woman of the Year luncheon at Paraiso Vineyards in Soledad, CA.

Ms. Koster is the third generation of her family to work in agriculture and started her career 16 years ago at Salinas-based Mann Packing Co. Inc. She has been a part of numerous committees for the Produce Marketing Association, the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association, Western Growers Association and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California. She was a member of both the board and executive committee of the Produce for Better Health Foundation. She was president of the board of directors of the International Fresh-cut Produce Association, marking the first time a woman chaired an American produce trade association.