It’s November and for many, at the start of the month there is a level of anticipation that begins to build up for the upcoming Thanksgiving meal and all of the accoutrements that go with it. For me in particular, nothing beats a slow roasted turkey smothered in homemade gravy, which explains why I was weirdly excited when Jones Soda Co. announced that it would be bringing back its limited run holiday flavor, Turkey & Gravy, after a 10-year hiatus. Yes, you read that correctly – Turkey & Gravy SODA. Originally launched in 2003, the Thanksgiving-themed drink has since been one of the Seattle, WA-based manufacturer’s most requested flavors (although the company acknowledges that the reason behind its popularity is more for a gag than for drinkability). And as the company celebrates its 25th anniversary, it is only fitting that they brought back the flavor that helped put them on the map.
“Our Turkey & Gravy Soda instantly differentiated the company when we introduced it nearly two decades ago, establishing the iconoclastic brand personality that remains our calling card today,” said Mark Murray, president and CEO of Jones Soda. “It’s an ideal special release SKU because it’s a novelty seasonal flavor that raises brand visibility among longtime Jones fans and new customers alike.”
This year’s limited run, which consisted of only 35, 000 bottles (each numbered for collectability), was released in Canadian and U.S. stores in September.
Although clearly a marketing gimmick, it’s not really surprising from a company known for its off-the-wall limited edition sodas, that in the past have included holiday-themed flavors such as Green Bean Casserole, Christmas Ham, Candy Cane, Chocolate Coins, and Latke.
I was lucky enough to procure a few of bottles thanks to the team at Jill Schmidt PR, which I have kept on ice until this month (it just didn’t seem right to taste it until I was feeling the Thanksgiving vibes). And while I was going to try and hold out a little longer until the actual holiday itself, my curiosity got the best of me and I gave in. So, I know you’re all wondering if it truly tasted like Thanksgiving in a bottle and the answer, not surprisingly, is no. It is a bit hard to describe, but to me it tasted like an extremely carbonated cream soda which finished with a slight taste of turkey. Weird, I know, but I don’t think anyone drinking this expects it to be otherwise. It’s not a bad taste, just…unusual. And definitely not an everyday mouth quencher.
In any case, although it’s not the type of drink that holiday revelers typically refer to when they plan on partaking in a liquid diet, it’s definitely a conversation starter and it certainly has now piqued my curiosity on what their other savory limited edition flavors taste like. In the end, I think it was a fun and successful marketing ploy by Jones Soda Co. to not only get people talking about the brand, but to also introduce newer generations to it.
Speaking of marketing, Sprouts Farmers Market is adjusting its marketing approach in response to a notable drop in foot traffic and sales after implementing what that the company referred to as a “transformational strategy” in mid-2019 in which the retailer moved away from aggressive low prices and promotions, and instead focused more on quality and exclusive assortment of products.
Now, the Phoenix, AZ-based company will be adjusting its messaging to highlight its competitive produce pricing, innovative products, and farmer’s market atmosphere which Sinclair believes will drive more transactions in the near and foreseeable future. He also pointed out that in the third quarter, store traffic did increase each month.
Only time will tell if this shift in marketing strategy will be effective, however, with supply chain issues not going away anytime soon and stiff competition with other retailers and discounters, analysts are doubtful that these minor tweaks will be enough to right the ship. Let’s hope they are wrong.
One grocery industry business that is not struggling with sales but instead is thriving is Schmidt Baking, whose parent company, H&S Family of Bakeries, is being honored by the Baltimore Museum of Industry along with its showrunners, the Paterakis family (Steve, Bill, JR, and Chuck Paterakis, Vanessa Paterakis Smith, and Karen Paterakis Philippou) with the 2021 William Donald Schaefer Industrialist of the Year award. The annual recognition (which was named after the late former mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland) recognizes and celebrates visionary business leaders whose innovation and dedication help build stronger communities throughout Maryland. H&S Baking was founded in 1943 by Greek immigrants Harry Tsakalos and Isidor “Steve” Paterakis as a neighborhood bakery. Steve’s son, John expanded the business by distributing its line of baked products into restaurants, institutions, universities, hospitals, delicatessens, and supermarkets. Now in its third and fourth generations, H&S Family of Bakeries is the largest family-owned variety baker in the country, operating 10 manufacturing facilities in five states with distribution in 23 states. In addition to building an iconic Maryland business, the Paterakis family can be credited with revitalizing much of downtown Baltimore, particularly with their long-term investments and contributions in creating the tony Harbor East neighborhood, once considered an area in deep decline. They are also heavily engaged in philanthropy through their support of more than 40 organizations locally and nationally that focus on neighborhood revitalization and environmental stewardship. While all of their accomplishments are too numerous to list, suffice it to say, the honor is very well-deserved – bravo to the Paterakises and H&S for their continued success and for supporting and reinvesting in their community!
Until next month…
Karen can be contacted via email at [email protected]