Eugene, OR- Turtle Mountain, makers of America’s most popular dairy-free ice creams, will launch the world’s first Coconut Milk Beverage in March 2009.  The product provides consumers with an alternative to dairy and soy milks and is suitable for everyday occasions, such as with cereal, in cooking and as a stand-alone beverage. Made with imported organic coconut milk and fortified with essential nutrients, such as Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Vitamin B12, the drink is naturally cholesterol free and contains no soy, gluten or dairy.  The refrigerated product is packaged in half-gallon gable-top cartons with a plastic spout and is available in the following flavors: plain, vanilla and unsweetened ...

Suggested Retail Price for So Delicious® Coconut Milk Beverage is $4.49 for a half gallon and will be available in the Eastern United States at Whole Foods Markets and other natural food retailers in March.  The company expects national distribution by the summer of 2009.

Coconut milk is known for having a naturally rich and creamy taste.  So Delicious® enhances the drinking experience by delivering a smooth taste with a clean finish that is different than dairy or soymilk.  “We were blown away by the taste and versatility of coconut milk,” says John Tucker, VP of Marketing and Technology.  “We would not bring this to market unless we were confident people would use it on a daily basis.”

This is not Turtle Mountain’s first crack at coconut based foods.  In 2008 the company launched an array of products made with coconut milk, including ice cream, ice cream novelties and refrigerated yogurt.  “We’ve made soy based products for 20 years, but our consumers wanted an alternative to soy, so we turned to coconut milk because of its delectable taste and intriguing health properties,” says Mark Brawerman, Founder and President.  “Now retailers say we can’t make it fast enough.”

Sales growth has been significant.  In less than 8 months Turtle Mountain’s coconut milk based products outsell its market leading soy based foods and sales continue to climb.

For centuries coconut has been a staple for cultures around the world.  Tradition attributes healing and life-giving properties to the coconut, which is why the palm is often called, ‘Tree of Life’.  In western society, the health benefits of coconuts are just beginning to be understood.  The mystery appears to be in the type of fats found in coconut milk, namely Medium Chain Fatty Acids, which are recognized for their antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.  Unlike long chain fatty acids, which are stored in the body as fat, MCFAs are utilized as energy by the body.

As scientific evidence mounts about the health benefits of coconut, many consumers rave about how this food improves their quality of life.  For instance, consumer Elisabeth Taylor has fibromyalgia and must adhere to a strict gluten free, dairy free, soy free and corn free diet.  “Turtle Mountain’s coconut based products have helped improve my condition,” says Ms. Taylor, “and added a ray of sunshine where dark clouds hung for too long.”

About Turtle Mountain, LLC
Based in Eugene, Oregon since 1990, privately held Turtle Mountain provides consumers with healthier alternatives to dairy-based frozen desserts. All products are 100% plant based and no artificial sweeteners, trans-fats or hydrogenated oils, and most are made with certified organic ingredients.  For full product offerings and complete nutritional information, please visit: www.turtlemountain.com.