Savor the Simplicity of the Pickle - One of America's Favorite Foods -- with Farmer's Garden® by Vlasic®

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May, 7 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Few foods have played such a significant role in America's history as the pickle. In fact, America was named after a pickle merchant, Amerigo Vespucci, who transported vitamin-C packed pickled vegetables around the world. With many Americans focused on returning to simple, honest foods, Farmer's Garden^® by Vlasic^® is providing a premium pickle using only the finest, specially selected ingredients to pack a powerful punch of flavor.

Today, more than 67 percent of American households eat pickles, consuming more than 2.5 billion pounds each year. In the 1940s, pickling pioneer Joseph Vlasic used fresh, locally grown cucumbers, herbs and spices to create unique pickle recipes. Since then, these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Farmer's Garden artisanal-quality pickles honor the simplicity of Joseph Vlasic's original recipe by using deliciously ripe cucumbers, whole garlic cloves, slices of red bell pepper, rounds of carrots, fresh herbs and spices, and no artificial flavors.

"Every Farmer's Garden cucumber is harvested at the peak of freshness, hand-packed in a traditional mason jar within 12 hours of being picked, and pickled using home-style canning techniques that lock in the bold, fresh taste," said Annette Young, Marketing Director, Vlasic. "We use this process not only to ensure the highest standards in flavor, texture and crunch, but also to preserve the authenticity of Joseph Vlasic's original recipe."

In celebration of Farmer's Garden pickles, Vlasic has created, Savor Simplicity, a blog and online community with influential food writers sharing fresh ideas for simple meals and entertaining. Each week Savor Simplicity will showcase how to use #FarmtoJar foods to create big flavors in simple ways, with tips such as, how to create the perfect picnic, host a stress-free BBQ, and whip up deliciously easy summer menus.

"Pickling is a hobby for many who love a home-grown, fresh-from-the-earth taste. While some love the process, others simply don't have time to make their own pickles," said Claire Thomas of the Kitchy Kitchen. "Farmer's Garden makes it easy for everyone to enjoy that same great homemade taste without the time commitment of pickling at home. My personal favorite, is the Bread and Butter Chip; with a sweet flavor, and thick rind it packs a strong crunch and makes a great addition to any burger or sandwich."

Farmer's Garden has also introduced the Savor Simplicity Sweepstakes, which will award three lucky winners with a prize package valued at $1,500. The Sweepstakes will run online from May 7 - July 31 at www.farmersgardenvlasic.com/sweeps.  At the end of each month, Farmer's Garden will draw one winner who will receive a summer entertaining package. Each entry will also unlock a coupon for $1 off a jar of Farmer's Garden pickles. Enter up to once per week for a chance to win, and earn additional entries by sharing online with friends.  

To learn more about Farmer's Garden or Savor Simplicity, visit www.farmersgardenvlasic.com/savorsimplicity. Join the conversation by following Farmer's Garden on Twitter at @FarmersGarden and by using #FarmToJar.

About Vlasic^® pickles
Vlasic^® pickles—America's favorite pickles—offer great flavor and are low in calories with no fat. Always crunchy and juicy, Vlasic^® pickles are available in nine key segments including Kosher Dill Spears, Bread and Butter Chips, Ovals, Sweet Gherkins, Large and Small Whole Dills, Stackers, Relish and Peppers. Look for the familiar Stork character on the jar in supermarkets near you. For more information on Vlasic pickles, log onto www.vlasic.com.

About Pinnacle Foods
In more than 85% of American households, consumers reach for Pinnacle Foods brands. Pinnacle Foods is a Top 1000 Company ranked on Fortune Magazine's 2013 Top 1000 companies list. We are a leading producer, marketer and distributor of high-quality branded food products, which have been trusted household names for decades. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, our business employs an average of 4,400 employees. We are a leader in the shelf stable and frozen foods segments and our brands hold the #1 or #2 market position in 10 of the 13 major categories in which they compete. Our Duncan Hines Grocery Division manages brands such as Duncan Hines^® baking mixes and frostings, Vlasic^® shelf-stable pickles, Mrs. Butterworth's^® and Log Cabin^® table syrups, Wish-Bone^® and Western^® salad dressings, Armour^® canned meats, Brooks^® and Nalley^® chili and chili ingredients, Duncan Hines^® Comstock^® and Wilderness^® pie and pastry fruit fillings and Open Pit^® barbecue sauces. Our Birds Eye Frozen Division manages brands such as Birds Eye^®, Birds Eye Steamfresh^®, C&W^®, McKenzie's^®, and Freshlike^® frozen vegetables, Birds Eye Voila!^® complete bagged frozen meals, Van de Kamp's^® and Mrs. Paul's^® frozen prepared seafood, Hungry-Man^® frozen dinners and entrées, Aunt Jemima^® frozen breakfasts, Lender's^® frozen and refrigerated bagels, and Celeste^® frozen pizza. Our Specialty Foods Division manages Tim's Cascade Snacks^®, Hawaiian^® kettle style potato chips, Erin's^® popcorn, Snyder of Berlin^® and Husman's^® snacks in addition to our food service and private label businesses. Further information is available at http://www.pinnaclefoods.com.

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SOURCE Farmer’s Garden by Vlasic