January 7/Phoenix/PRNewswire -- Specialty food manufacturer Inventure Foods has entered into a licensing agreement with Vidalia Brands Inc., the Georgia brand synonymous with sweet onions, to develop a new line of prepackaged snacks for vending, grocery and convenience store distribution. This license agreement expands Inventure Foods' portfolio of nationally recognized brands that currently includes Jamba, T.G.I. Friday 's and Nathan's Famous.

"We have a successful track record of taking consumer brands into the prepackaged, ready-to-eat space," said Steve Sklar, senior vice president of marketing for Inventure Foods. "With Vidalia Brands, we are combining powerful brand recognition with the latest in snack trends to introduce a product line that will certainly taste great, but will also feel immediately familiar to consumers."   

The first product introduced will be Vidalia Sweet Onion Petals, a baked snack made with real Vidalia sweet onion puree that is extruded in the form of an onion stick. It features zero trans fats and just 130 calories per serving. 

Vidalia Sweet Onion Petals will be available in 2.25oz. and 3.5oz. bags with a suggested retail price of $1.99 and $2.49, respectively. Consumers can expect to see Vidalia Sweet Onion Petals in stores and in vending machines in the first quarter of 2013.

"We're excited to bring this product to market with the help of Inventure Foods," said Sandra Bland , president of Vidalia Brands. "We look forward to introducing the great taste of Vidalia sweet onions to snack food fans across the nation."