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Sustainability: Protecting Our Planet
The Earth is a vast place with many natural resources and the truth is that our resources are finite. The effort to responsibly use the available resources without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is generally referred to as sustainability, and at Silva we’re proud to do our part to protect the planet.
Organic vs Non-GMO? Understanding Food Labels
When consumers go to the grocery store these days, they are often confronted by a lot more information than really ever before. Some of the labels that have become more common are “organic,” “non-GMO,” “all natural,” or “clean,” but what do these terms mean? And how are they different from one another?
What Is Food Fortification?
Food fortification is a method of introducing nutrients to foods that wouldn’t otherwise be present. While this method has evolved over time, dehydrated vegetables are now one of the best ways to make foods healthier.
Dry Ingredients As Flavor Enhancers
For most foods available at stores, fresh ingredients just aren’t practical in terms of shelf life and maintaining food safety. That’s why commercial food industry producers have long relied on dried ingredients to give their end products the kinds of flavor profile that consumers demand and expect. Many people don’t realize, however, that dry ingredients are often used as flavoring agents that can impart even more flavor than their fresh counterparts.
The Good-for-You Trend Is Growing
One of the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that more Americans than ever are trying to live healthier lives and eat healthier food. This has led to a whole new set of trends in the food industry that favor higher-quality and better-for-you ingredients that provide a wide array of health benefits. Whether it’s plant-based, organic, preservative-free, sustainably produced, lower calorie, or simply more nutrient dense, consumers of all types are looking for new food products that support their vision of healthier eating.
What to Know About Fruit Upcycling
Based on data from the last decade, it is estimated that 30-40% of the food supply is wasted; that includes nearly half of all fruit and vegetable produce. To counter this, a relatively new trend has emerged in many commercial food production facilities. This trend, known as upcycling, can play a major role in reducing food waste as well as providing other benefits to society.
Snacking Trends in America, 2023
Between the pandemic and the continuing influence of social media in shaping trends, people are more aware than ever before of the need for making healthy food choices. This is particularly notable with snack foods, an area that has traditionally been dominated by high-calorie, nutrient-thin processed options. As we continue here in 2023, look for snack foods to become even more health-oriented.
What Is Vegetable Powder Used For?
Vegetables don’t have to be eaten raw in order to bring value. In fact, dehydrated vegetables are an important part of the food system and allow access to nutrients for far longer than fresh produce. Some vegetables can even be made into a powder form that makes them useful for a variety of purposes.
The Best Vegetables Dogs Can Eat
For many dog owners, their dogs aren’t just pets: they’re members of the family. As more human food incorporates both fresh and dry plant-based ingredients and more people adopt vegetarian or vegan lifestyles, it’s natural that they’re interested in those options for their dogs, too. But not all vegetables are ideally suited for a dog’s diet, and it takes a little research to pick the best vegetables for dogs.
What Are the Health Benefits of Cucumbers?
The cucumber is an incredibly versatile vegetable that is perhaps best known for being used in the making of dill pickles, but it is also a popular ingredient in salads, salad dressings, relish, soups, stews, and ready meals. It’s even used frequently in beauty products and spa treatments. But beyond its many uses and its crisp, fresh flavor, the cucumber is also loaded with vitamins and minerals that make it a healthy addition to any diet.