Need A Tasteful Gift Item?

Gourmet food items are not only tasty, but very tasteful additions to existing gift lines. Whether your gift market serves a small specialized niche or a broad encompassing niche, gourmet food items can fulfill your customer’s gift needs. Diversity is the foundation of gourmet food items which range from specific dietary requirements to international cuisine ingredients and everything in between. Unique and not offered by box-marts, gourmet foods are an upscale item with a low cost investment.

Appealing to a wide array of customers, gift baskets are a staple of most flower and gift shops. So naturally, as a shop owner your interest lies in finding the right gift basket products. By carrying gourmet gift basket items, you can create customized and tasteful gifts for customers. In this FGmarket newsletter, we will address the many different types of gourmet items and how to use them to set your shop apart from your competitors.

So What Makes An Item Gourmet?

Generally speaking, it is a fine food item. This can include, but is not limited to snacks, fruits, chocolates, cheeses, spices, oils, and other food items. Even some meats can be considered gourmet. People tend to think of gourmet foods as items one can not buy at a local grocery store.  Therefore, consumers perceive these products as specialty food items.

The biggest asset of gourmet items is that they are not readily available everywhere.  However, the perception attached to gourmet items encourages consumers to seek them out.  By choosing your gourmet items carefully, you can drive this consumer to your front door. For instance, I have traveled out of my way to visit a store that sells a particular spice blend that I love. How did I come across this spice blend? It was given to me in a gourmet gift basket.

Gourmet Cooking Goodies – A tisket a tasket I love my spice and oil basket!

As mentioned, I received a gift basket that contained several spice mixes, herb-infused cooking oil, bread dipping oils and a delicious Tandoori bbq grilling sauce. Now I can’t live without these great gourmet items and I frequent the shop often when I run out. This shop made multiple sales off of one gourmet gift basket.  Oils, herbs and sauces are a great way to dabble in the gourmet food market.  They have a long shelf life and don’t require refrigeration.

Making Your Own Gourmet Items Without All The Work

To ensure repeat business, customers need to know where to pick up more of those delectable gourmet items.  That is where private label gourmet foods set you apart from the rest.  Wholesale gourmet food vendors often have private label services.  That’s right! They will put your name on their product.  So when the customer runs out of that special dipping sauce, they will know exactly where to go – your store. As you are deciding which vendors to use, keep this in mind: branding gourmet foods items can increase your repeat sales.

Gourmet Baskets Healthy, Organic, Natural And Oh So Yummy

The natural, organic and healthy gourmet food market is one of the most popular niche markets you can use to boost sales. Everyone seems to be on a health kick.  Targeting this rising consumer group can help you gain market share.  For example, pack a basket with healthy snack items such as freeze-dried fruits, soy nuts, all natural wheat crackers, and gourmet jams then name it the Naturally Good Snack Basket. Target the consumer group by displaying this basket and promoting it in your advertising campaign. Selecting gourmet food items that capitalize on a rising trend gives you an advantage over your competitors.

Special Dietary Needs Items for Gift Baskets

Specialty gourmet food baskets that are dietary based offer a gift to those who may not be able to enjoy a common gift basket. Those with special dietary needs are often left out; this is a market you can easily cater to successfully. Examples of specialty diet concerns are gluten free items, sugar-free items, Kosher items, low sodium, gluten-free and vegetarian items. Offering these items reaches a segment of consumers often forgotten about with common gift baskets.

Men and Gourmet Baskets

Men are especially fond of receiving gourmet food baskets. For a manly gourmet basket, you need hardy items with robust flavor. So when a guy friend broke his leg, I wanted to send a manly gourmet basket. The first place I turned was my oil and herb shop. I asked the shop if they could do a basket with beef jerky, summer sausages, chutney’s and even some barbecue sauces. They did indeed! He raved about that basket for days and said that it was one of the best gifts he’d received.

Gourmet Food — Do It Your Way

You can sell gourmet items individually, in groups or in gift baskets.  Be sure to display them in all these ways so they appeal to your customers needs. Gourmet foods and baskets are a relatively low cost way to add flavor and luxury to your gift basket selection.  What a tasty way to increase your business.

You can find many wonderful gourmet food vendors at FG market.  Below is a sneak peek of the many unique and tasty gourmet food items you should consider.

There’s something special about the blueberry jams and jellies from Spruce Mountain Blueberries. You can’t put your finger on it but you can certainly taste the difference! Curious about the unique little twist? Spruce Mountain Blueberries blends fresh Maine blueberries with ginger, coriander and other spices to create their gourmet goodies.

That’s right. Indian chutneys with a blueberry twist. Or perhaps blueberry jams with an Indian twist. Either way, the taste is incredible! Each batch of chutney, jams, blueberry topping and other sweet treats are made fresh in a beautiful farmhouse overlooking Penobscot Bay.

Don’t let that description fool you. This interesting, traditional method preserves the freshest flavor possible in each dish. The best taste possible is what your customers deserve and what they’ll get with Spruce Mountain Blueberries.

Blueberries are one of the best fruits around. They, like many others, are loaded with healthy antioxidants that make the body feel fresh, revived and relieved throughout the day. They have that distinctively juicy and sweet flavor that mouths can’t resist. One taste of any of the products from Spruce Mountain Blueberries sends the tongue reeling on a sensation trip that is much like running through a waterfall and landing in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Sweet …click here to read Have You Tasted These Mouthwatering Blueberries?…

Gourmet gift baskets are all the rage with customers needing a sure-fire gift idea. Premade gourmet food baskets are great but miss an opportunity that you can cash in on instead. You know your customers best so why not prepare gourmet food gift baskets from foods that you know will go over well in your store? When you need to find wholesale gourmet foods for your baskets, look to Spice Place.

Spice Place is a convenient one-stop shop for wholesale candies and cookies, spices, sauces, nuts and dried fruits, seasonings, gravies, flavors/extracts and more. Whether creating holiday gift baskets, snack baskets, or the finest gourmet gift baskets ever, your hit gift idea starts with the popular foods at Spice Place.

How do you know you’re getting wholesale candies that your customers will love? Because Spice Place carries many of the top brand name confections that customers crave. Need a chocolate lover’s gift basket? You’ll be pleased with the selection of Godiva chocolate, Ghirardelli chocolate, Lindt Lindor truffles, Belgian chocolates and more. The selection is amazing!

More than just sugary confections, Spice Place also carries delicious …click here to read Why Spice Place Is The Right Place For Gift Basket Foods…

One of the best things about living in the south is Southern food. Even the mention of many southern-style gourmet foods is enough to make the mouth water. Our meats are no different. That’s why when you look to Broadbent Hams for country hams you know that you’re getting quality meat with even better flavor.

While the idea of customers salivating in your store may not seem appealing, it definitely moves some gourmet gift baskets. Filled to the brim with gourmet foods, these gift baskets take snacking to a whole new level of “yum.” When filled with summer sausages, country hams, and other meats from Broadbent Hams, the only words you’re liable to hear from customers are “mmm” and “yummy” as they make their way to the register.

Wondering what Broadbent Hams has that is so special? One visit to the website is enough to make you want to take a break and run out to your local country kitchen buffet. Nitrite free “all natural” bacons, cooked country hams, smoked turkey breast and hams, summer sausages and cheeses, beaten biscuits–regulars on any southern menu but equally tasty no matter where they’re served. There are even desserts and toppings when the sweet tooth starts to ache. (How close is it to lunchtime?)

Gift baskets are excellent unique gift ideas for friends and family. What really stands out, though, is a gift basket with …click here to read Want Unique Foods for Your Gourmet Gift Baskets?…

Summertime Sizzles with Gourmet Food Gift Baskets

Instead of the expected bottle of wine or chips and dip, encourage your customers to give gourmet food gifts at all those backyard barbeques and family reunions this summer. Gourmet food gift baskets with a little different twist make great hostess gifts this time of year and having your store fully stocked is sure to boost your summertime sales with some unique items your customers will love to give (and keep!).

A gourmet food gift basket can include popular items, like hot sauces, hot pepper jelly, dried fruits, barbeque sauces, drink mixes and rim dippers. But the old stand-bys are still welcome additions, like salsa, jam and jellies. Make it easy for customers by offering a variety of gift basket sizes or gift sets of specialty gourmet items. Barbeque grilling tools, an oven mitt and gourmet sauces make a thoughtful gift for an avid griller. Tie a red bandanna to the basket to give it that summertime sizzle.

Show your customers a variety of products and package them in fun and creative ways that capture their attention as soon as they walk in the door. Find lots of gourmet food vendors with an abundant of unique product choices at FGmarket.com

With Southwest cooking all the rage, try a Midwest take on the Southwest. Try some of Pepper Creek Farm’s pepper jelly, drink mixes and salsas. A family-run company in Lawton, Oklahoma, Pepper Creek does things the old-fashioned way – small batches, homegrown ingredients and family recipes. Their gourmet food offerings include jellies, like Green Chile Pepper Jelly, Mint Pepper Jelly and Red Bell Pepper Jelly, as well as an array of barbeque sauces, like Hickory Maple and Honey Mesquite. Their variety of dip mixes are sure to please any hostess with a ready-made spice blend for a quick dip or topping. Choose from Dilly Dip Mix, Jalapeno Cilantro, Spinach and Toasted Onion, just to name a few. These beat the standard cheese and pre-packaged dips and are a hit with family and friends.
Pepper Creek’s drink mixes are a must for a summertime gourmet food basket. Flavors range from Chocolate Martini to Pomegranate to Watermelon, and they also have rim dippers to go with them for that extra special touch. A drink mix, rim dipper, cocktail napkins, fresh lemons and limes make a great gourmet food gift basket.

Cibolo Junction Food & Spice Company has some great offerings of gourmet food in the Southwest genre. They pride themselves on offering the highest quality New Mexico food products, like Mango Papaya Salsa and Raspberry Peach Salsa, which are popular, sweeter alternatives to hot sauces. But they excel at those, too. Along with their hot sauces like North of the Border Smokey Joe’s Chipotle Salsa and Scorch-Way Hot – Salsa, their Prickly Pear Cactus Jelly and Margarita Marmalade are a welcome addition to a Southwest gourmet food basket.
Pair Cibolo Junction’s salsas with some tortilla chips, a margarita mix, fresh limes and margarita glasses for a “thank you” gift that’s sure to impress at your next summer party.

Also in the Southwest genre, but from the Napa Valley, are award-winning hot sauces, dessert sauces and drink mixes from Dave’s Gourmet. Their Hurtin’ Habanero Honey Mustard is a five-time world winner, and they offer a variety of gourmet salts that are a hit with cooks everywhere. Their dessert sauces include Apple Pie & Ice Cream, Gingerbread Cream and Chocolate Orange Spice, which add that gourmet touch to a cold bowl of ice cream (or just a spoonful out of the jar!). Their drink mixes offer a welcome change from the standard beer and wine served at many backyard get-togethers. With flavors like Mango Margarita, Insane Mary, and Dave’s Original Bloody Mary, these are sure to be a hit on the hot days of summer.
Instead of welcoming new neighbors with a store-bought apple pie, line a basket with a red and white checked napkin and include a jar of Apple Pie & Ice Cream dessert sauce and a half-gallon of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. What a welcome!

Comfort Foods, Inc. specializes in authentic flavors of the Southwest, as well as the elegance and gourmet taste of fine dining. Choose from dip mixes, spices and seasonings, salsas and sauces, bread and dessert mixes, and soup mixes. Creamy Potato and Green Chile Soup paired with Jalapeno Beer Bread makes an easy and comforting meal. And dips such as Cilantro Lime Dip and Peach Salsa add a new twist to tortilla chips. Their gourmet selections include Tuscany Peasant soup, White Cheddar Asparagus soup, Asiago Parmesan dip, Sun-dried Tomato dip, and Cherry Vanilla Scones mix. Any of these are sure to catch customers’ eyes when assembled in a gourmet food gift basket.

A gourmet food gift should include a variety of flavors and textures, so for a sweet addition, pair some of Orchard Crest Farms’ hand-dipped chocolate dried fruits, hazelnuts, full fruit preserves and luscious syrups with some southwestern items. They use choice Oregon fruits at their peak, like blueberries, strawberries, Dried Royal Anne Cherries and cranberries. Their fruit preserves and syrups are made from fresh ripe Oregon fruits and berries, and their homemade trail mixes and snacks are made from time-honored traditional recipes. For a twist on an old favorite, try their specialty Hazelnut Toffee for that extra crunch.
Prepare a brunch gourmet food basket with a good quality pancake mix, English muffins, and several syrups and preserves. A pint of fresh blueberries or blackberries will round out this gourmet gift basket.
By offering your customers a wide variety of gourmet food items and showing them how to package them for the ultimate “Wow!” factor, you can increase customer service and satisfaction this summer.
Browse through the Gourmet Food vendors you’ll find on FGmarket.com for fun & unique gourmet food products that can spark your creativity and ignite your sales for gourmet baskets and foods this summer and throughout the year.

Contributor: Jill Evans