Sunsweet and Yuba City Celebrate California Chrome, from the Hometown of the Amaz!n™ Prune

YUBA CITY, Calif., June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Yuba City, the home of famed racehorse California Chrome's co-owners, Denise and Perry Martin, is shutting down the streets and rolling out the red carpet for what could potentially be a history-making-race on Saturday, June 7. Sunsweet Growers, Inc, is the world's largest marketer of prunes, as well as, other high quality specialty dried fruits and fruit juices. Sunsweet, headquartered in Yuba City, is partnering to host the Triple Crown Viewing Party celebrating California Chrome.

Sunsweet could not be more proud of this hometown hero as California Chrome races to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978. Those attending the Yuba City Triple Crown Viewing Party can stop by Sunsweet's booth to receive free product samples, participate in games and will even have the opportunity to take their picture with Sunsweet's own racehorse. Additionally, Sunsweet will offer a hospitality tent for employees and grower members, who make up a large percentage of the local community.

Sunsweet will be hosting a social media contest that ties into the horseracing theme of the event. Each person who uploads their photo taken at the Sunsweet booth to Facebook or Twitter, along with the hashtag #SunsweetLovesCAChrome, will be eligible to win one of three cash prizes "Win, Place, or Show". Fans who are not able to make it to Yuba City can share in the fun from their own hometowns by visiting Sunsweet's Facebook page.

Those hosting their own Belmont Stakes viewing party should try Sunsweet's Prune Barbecue Sauce – it's sure to be a crown pleasing appetizer, and one that Sunsweet will also be serving during Yuba City's Triple Crown Viewing Party. See below for the complete recipe.

Sunsweet^® Prune Barbecue Sauce
*Sauce Recipe is delicious with chicken or pork

Ingredients
18oz Sunsweet Prunes
2 Cups Boiling Water
½ cup Olive Oil
½ Cup Chopped White Onion
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger, Grated
2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
2 Tablespoons Kosher Salt
¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Cups Sunsweet Prune Juice
½ Cup Molasses
½ Cup Red Wine Vinegar
¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar

Directions
Put Sunsweet Prunes in a large bowl, and pour in boiling water.  Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for at least 15 minutes. In large heavy bottomed pot, add the next 7 ingredients and saute on medium heat until the onions are soft.  

Add the next 4 liquid ingredients to the pot, along with prune-water mix. Use a submergible stick blender or regular blender to puree the mixture. Once smooth, simmer on low heat for about 2 hours, or until thickened while stirring frequently.  Use now or let cool and refrigerate for up to 2 months. Recipe courtesy of Hillcrest Catering in Yuba City, CA.

Sunsweet is committed to helping people lead healthier lives by offering convenient products featuring Sunsweet Amaz!n™ Prunes. Prunes are emerging as a dried fruit packed with health benefits. Recent studies suggest that prunes may help keep bones strong by preventing bone mineral loss, which often leads to osteoporosis.^[i]  Additionally, prunes are a natural source of fiber, which can aid in weight maintenance, blood sugar control and digestive health. Compared to other dried fruits, prunes are lower in sugar and calories, and have a glycemic index of only 29. This low glycemic index means that prunes are digested slowly by the body, which helps to sustain energy over a longer period of time than a food with a high glycemic index. 

Yuba City's Triple Crown Viewing Party Celebrating California Chrome will take place downtown on Plumas Street, Saturday, June 7, from noon to 7pm. Two giant screens will stream the Belmont Stakes Race live while guests celebrate California Chrome and root for his final victory of the season.

For more product information and recipe ideas, visit http://www.sunsweet.com/.

About SUNSWEET 
Sunsweet Growers Inc., established in 1917, has more than 95 years of experience and heritage in producing the highest quality dried fruits. The Yuba City, Calif.-based cooperative of 300 grower/members is the worldwide leader in prunes and related products. Most recently, the product portfolio has been expanded to include a full line of dried fruit snacks and juices, all designed to fit today's need for healthy and convenient food choices.

[i] Shirin Hooshmand, Sheau C. Chai, Raz L. Saadat, Mark E. Payton, Kenneth Brummel-Smith, Bahram H. Arjmandi. Comparative effects of dried plum and dried apple on bone in postmenopausal women. British Journal of Nutrition, 2011; 1 DOI: 10.1017/S000711451100119X

SOURCE Sunsweet