Rouses, Ocean Mist Vie for Display Record

As a way to stoke spring peak-season artichoke sales, Rouses Supermarkets and Ocean Mist Farms have teamed up to set a new world record for building the world’s largest fresh artichoke display on Saturday, April 21, at Rouses’ store on 4500 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans.

The Rouses team will use 20,000 fresh green globe Ocean Mist artichokes to construct the display in the shape of New Orleans’ symbol, the fleur-di-lis. The display, which is expected to take 20 hours to complete, will be photographed and measured for certification by the Guinness Book of World Records.

“Artichokes are a big part of our food culture here in New Orleans, and we did a little investigating and learned there is no record-setting display for fresh vegetables,” said Joe Watson, director of produce at Thibodaux, La.-based Rouses, which operates 38 stores and employs 5,400 associates in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The display will be unveiled at 11:30 a.m. on April 21, with a special appearance by mascot “Arti” the artichoke and Dale Huss, VP artichoke production at Castroville, Calif.-based Ocean Mist. Additionally, Rouses will show customers how to clean and prepare the items for cooking, as well as serving up easy-baked artichokes with chipotle mayo.