Louis Hymel, director of purchasing and marketing for Spice World Inc., headquartered in Orlando, FL, told The Produce News that the company is seeing a steady increase in organic demand over the past two years.

“Consumers are focusing on eating healthier,” said Hymel. “Spice World has produced and handled organic garlic for more than a decade.”

A display of Spice World’s 20-ounce ‘Organic Squeeze Minced Garlic.’“We’re a California grower and producer, and we offer the highest quality California garlic in both conventional and organic options in a wide array of packaging and processed items,” he continued. “In as much as garlic is our specialty item, we offer a complete line of organic garlic items. Our line of organics includes fresh whole bulbs in bulk, cello and mesh bags, whole peeled, ready-to-use minced garlic in jars, and our popular ‘Organic Squeeze Garlic.’”

“Squeeze Garlic” hit the market by storm a few years ago and it made only good sense to produce an organic version of it so that consumers who have so strongly taken to it now have it in an organic option. The company continues to promote its 20-ounce size of “Organic Squeeze Garlic.”

Spice World covers all aspects of the garlic industry, including growing, packing, marketing and distribution. It is a totally integrated company in every way — from seed to plate, and it has its own seed program.

“We pack every item in our line in a variety of sizes,” added Hymel. “The value-added sizes are convenient and always available. But the demand for our ‘Organic Squeeze Garlic’ is growing strongly and has become very popular with consumers today.”

Spice World produces its garlic in California, and it also offers some product from South America and Mexico. Hymel noted that the company is also completely diversified in its customer profile.

“We cover all segments of the marketplace, from retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators, processors, industrial and others with sales, marketing and distribution,” he said. “According to IRI Data, a leading market and shopper information research organization, Spice World is America’s number one selling garlic brand at retail. And our foodservice and industrial divisions continue to grow. We offer a complete line of garlic products and sizes to meet all user demands.”

Spice World is certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers, generally referred to as CCOF.

“They monitor, authorize and maintain organic standards,” said Hymel. “It is a full-service organic certification agency that is passionate about being a leading voice for organic certification, education, advocating and promotion of organics.”

Spice World, he explained, also reaches out to consumers through the wide assortment of recipes available on its website and in other ways. Its distribution covers the entire country along with export distribution to many areas of the world.

“We are the innovators, and we are always looking to offer consumers better and more convenient ways to use garlic,” said Hymel.

“This, in turn, results in increased use of garlic by consumers, and that drives sales up for supermarkets and distributors alike. And of course, the increased volumes and movement result in increased profits.”