SJVC’s Natural Colors
SJVC’s Natural Colors
BY JOSEPH ROSSI, VP & GENERAL MANAGER, SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY CONCENTRATES
The Orthodox Union has provided San Joaquin Valley Concentrates with a competitive advantage and we are sincerely grateful for our relationship with the OU.
Our team’s history with the OU began in 1970, when I had the privilege of working with Ernest Herzog at the Royal Kedem Winery in Milton, New York. This relationship continued in the 1980s with the manufacturing of grape concentrate and alcohol at a large California facility under the supervision of Kedem’s employees and Rabbi Gruenwald. In 1995, I brought this experience to Fresno, California, which marked the beginning of San Joaquin Valley Concentrates (SJVC).
SJVC began as a manufacturer of white grape concentrates. Through a strong, stable supply chain we have expanded our product portfolio, and with the support of the Orthodox Union we have gained a competitive advantage in our market. In 1996, we added the production of red grape concentrates and dark red grape colors.
When customers began to request dark red grape colors, OU certification and supervision became instrumental in converting our Rubired grapes into a staple for red-colored foods and beverages. In 2008 we became the world’s largest supplier of natural grape colors to the food and beverage industries. In 2010, we began producing natural colors in a unique crystal form. Our crystal colors differ from typical spray dried colors because they have fast solubility, are much less dusty, have no carriers, and contribute zero calories to a finished formulation. Our natural colors are made from fruits and/or vegetables and are used to replace synthetic colors. Our liquid and crystal colors can be used in a variety of applications ranging from confections, yogurts, smoothies, juices, nutraceuticals, and flavor formulations.
SJVC’s ability to produce OU Kosher colors is unmatched. We make our fruit colors only from Rubired grapes, which are grown in the Central Valley and have superior color stability compared to other fruit and berry colors. SJVC is a wholly owned subsidiary of E & J Gallo Winery and is located adjacent to their Fresno Winery facility. This close proximity enables SJVC to decrease the total processing time and carefully monitor our products. SJVC manufactures its natural colors under year-round, 24-hour rabbinical supervision.
SJVC is one of the few companies with the ability to produce OU Kosher grape colors. Our customers hold us in high regard because we manufacture high quality, OU Kosher-certified products that are not easily replicated by other companies. Our certification with the Orthodox Union creates a positive association that provides credibility and reputation to our company.
SJVC is proud to be an OU Kosher-Certified Company!
To learn more about our company and products, please visit our website at www.sjvconc.com. Feel free to email or call us with any questions at inquiries@sjvconc.com or at 800-557-0220
RABBI NACHUM RABINOWITZ IS THE ORTHODOX UNION’S RABBINIC COORDINATOR FOR E & J GALLO WINERY.