There's No "K" in Craft Foods: Clever Hen's Artisan Foodmakers Handcraft Flavorsome, All-natural Snacks and Foods

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Sep 24, 2013, 08:40 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- More Americans are becoming aware that the pesticides, antibiotics, preservatives and other lab-created ingredients present in many modern day foods present a variety of health risks, but we still long for delicious edibles, particularly snacks. Clever Hen (https://www.cleverhen.com/index.html) offers a solution, the great taste and all-natural ingredients in the handcrafted food and snacks that it selects and ships nationwide.

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"The growth of the artisanal food movement is a counteraction to the large food manufacturers' use of unhealthy and often unnatural ingredients," said Wayne Lenkeit (aka Colonel Rooster), owner of Clever Hen. "True artisan food is always a better option than a commercially-made product."

Lenkeit points to a 2012 CBS News story about Wayne Watson, a Colorado man who won a $7 million lawsuit claiming that he had developed respiratory problems from inhaling diacetyl, a chemical in microwave popcorn's artificial butter (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57516710-10391704/colorado-man-wayne-watson-wins-$7-million-in-popcorn-lung-lawsuit). "With so many lab-created additives in processed foods today it's hard to know how safe we are," he said.

Clever Hen's mission is to seek out and bring together the finest American artisanal foods and products, emphasizing non-genetically modified, responsibly grown and crafted foods, sustainability, pure ingredients, and especially, good taste.

The company starts its product selection process by choosing foods recognized by the SOFI Awards (http://www.specialtyfood.com/sofi/) and Good Food Awards (http://www.goodfoodawards.org/), two prestigious organizations known for honoring the achievements of the nation's best food crafters.

Then, a league of tasters rigorously samples the products before Clever Hen agrees to carry them. "The foods have to meet our requirement of being natural, real food and having great taste," explained Lenkeit. "We've tried many foods that look good, but the flavor wasn't there. Or we've loved the flavor but rejected the food because it had additives or preservatives."

Clever Hen opened almost two years ago, but Lenkeit has spent his entire career being a craftsman. "I know the value of craftsmanship and I want to work with and support small batch food crafters who really care, like Quinn Popcorn and Vermont Peanut Butter," he said. "You can actually taste the passion these artisans have for their work."

Quinn Popcorn (http://www.cleverhen.com/search.html?query=Quinn) has removed the additives typically found in microwave popcorn, making the food very simple and clean. "They are the only microwave popcorn that makes real butter flavoring," said Lenkeit. Quinn has also created novel flavors such as Lemon & Sea Salt, Parmesan & Rosemary and Maple & Sea Salt. Vermont Peanut Butter (http://www.cleverhen.com/search.html?query=Vermont%20Peanut%20Butter) is a natural peanut butter maker that also uses all-natural foods, paying special attention to the way they source their peanuts, make the peanut butter and create delicious new flavors like their Avalanche white chocolate and Good Karma dark chocolate blends.

"Ironically, large food corporations are trying to cash in on the 'artisan' or 'artisanal' label by slapping it on so many foods that they've made it almost meaningless," continued Lenkeit. "To tell the difference, remember that making small batch foods that excel in flavor, taste and natural ingredients is a 'craft.' If you want to eat well, opt for food made by true handcraftsmanship, not giant machinery."

About Clever Hen
Clever Hen is a family-run business that believes few things are as pleasurable as sharing good food with family and friends. Their goal is to "put a smile on your face and delight your taste buds." Clever Hen is constantly searching for exceptional products to offer. They regularly seek out and evaluate delicious food from around the country for their tasting team to evaluate as potential products. Clever Hen has made it their mission to seek out and bring together in one market, the ﬁnest of artisanal foods and products.

Contact:
Wayne Lenkeit
408.516.4140
www.cleverhen.com