The Faces in the Broccoli
Cascadian Farm sells frozen organic broccoli florets. That's not particularly unusual.
But look closer. Can you see the tiny disembodied heads floating amidst the broccoli bits?
When contacted about it, Cascadian Farms offered this reply:
The tradition of hiding names or faces on Cascadian Farm packaging began over a dozen years ago. It was unspoken tribute by the package design department to the friends & family of Cascadian Farm. The faces won’t be included on our redesigned packaging.
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
I'm not sure why they call it a tribute, considering that it's incredibly creepy. LOL
Posted by Heidi on 11/17 at 08:17 AM
I don't know, Heidi, seems like one whale of a marketing idea. Plus the benefit of giving your employees a little 'jolt' that doesn't cost you a dime!
Now they say they're going to quit?
Now they say they're going to quit?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/17 at 08:20 AM
I would have totally bought that brand of broccoli just to keep the kids busy...
Posted by KW in Dallas, TX on 11/17 at 08:39 AM
KW, get a package of the old stuff and tell them that if they find the faces by the time you've finished cooking, they can have candy instead.
Then start buying the new packages without the faces.
Then start buying the new packages without the faces.
Posted by Mark in Cincinnati on 11/17 at 08:47 AM
Cool!
Why would they want to discontinue such a great practice?
I'm tempted to start a letter-writing campaign to protest the abandonment of the cool packaging.
I think all food packaging should be required to have hidden pictures or messages in the design.
For broccoli, of course, they should hide pictures of George H.W. Bush.
Why would they want to discontinue such a great practice?
I'm tempted to start a letter-writing campaign to protest the abandonment of the cool packaging.
I think all food packaging should be required to have hidden pictures or messages in the design.
For broccoli, of course, they should hide pictures of George H.W. Bush.
Posted by Big Gary in Crystal City, Texas on 11/17 at 08:50 AM
good one gary. i kind of agree with heidi though-creepy!
Posted by patty in ohio on 11/17 at 08:57 AM
And now all I have to do is Photoshop the image to look like a likeness of the Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ (or Obama!!) and email it to every Christian group web site I can find. Grocery stores everywhere will have people on their knees in the frozen food sections in no time! Heads up to the WU readers: buy Cascadian Foods shares now before it goes out of the average investor's price range!
agent j
agent j
Posted by agent j in Toronto, Canada on 11/17 at 09:37 AM
Broccoli is people! It's peeeepulllh!
Posted by John in O-high-O on 11/17 at 09:43 AM
Big Gary - Drop some acid dude. You'll start seeing faces everywhere.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/17 at 10:36 AM
Expat -- That's true, though I would take a raise/bonus over my disembodied head in broccoli any day.
Posted by Heidi on 11/17 at 10:38 AM
Yeah, Maxx, but that would be cheating.
By the way, one of only two licensed peyote dealers in the U.S. lives down the road from me. That doesn't have much to do with broccoli; I just wanted to brag.
By the way, one of only two licensed peyote dealers in the U.S. lives down the road from me. That doesn't have much to do with broccoli; I just wanted to brag.
Posted by Big Gary in Crystal City, Texas on 11/17 at 10:41 AM
John, you made me laugh so hard I spewed my coffee.
Definitely the definitive remark on this subject.
Definitely the definitive remark on this subject.
Posted by Big Gary in Crystal City, Texas on 11/17 at 10:44 AM
Big Gary - I'm coming to spend Christmas by your house.
Posted by Madd Maxx on 11/17 at 10:45 AM
EVERY commercial artist I know (including me) has at one point included some personal allusion in a project. It's almost an artistic imperative! When I did an illustration of a bookshelf, for example, you can bet one title had never been in the Library of Congress.
Posted by VM on 11/17 at 11:27 AM
If they start talking to me I'm going to scream and run
Posted by Jules in CT, I've missed you guys! on 11/17 at 12:23 PM
Now I gotta check my freezer for people.
Posted by HappyCat in NJ on 11/17 at 04:05 PM
A LOT of commercial artists include such tidbits, even without the company knowing. It's an effective copyright and royalty protection scheme. Sometimes the artist's name will be tucked in carefully, or a very delicate watermark applied.
Posted by Bobcat in Davis, Ca. on 11/18 at 03:00 AM
agent J: please refer to 
Posted by BL. on 11/20 at 03:37 PM
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Category: Food, Advertising