Prepared Foods takes a look at new snacks making a debut in July 2018.

Schuman Cheese, Fairfield, N.J., used the Sweets & Snacks Expo to introduce two new varieties to its Whisps cheese snack line. 

“There’s no hero like cheese when it comes to the pure foods movement,” the company says. “With Whisps, baked bits of decadent artisan cheeses offer consumers the indulgent flavors they crave and satisfy their sensibilities, too. That’s because Whisps are made with just one wholesome ingredient: 100% pure cheese – no preservatives, no additives, no gluten. Just cheese.”

Schuman’s new Whisps varieties are Bacon BBQ Cheddar and Tomato Basil Parmesan. They join three other flavors: Parmesan, Cheddar and Asiago & Pepper Jack.

Here’s how Schuman describes its new Whisps flavor varieties: 

Whisps Bacon BBQ Cheddar: Delicious, baked sharp Cello Cheddar cheese and smoky bacon BBQ spices make for the perfect by-the-handful snack.

Whisps Tomato Basil Parmesan: A zesty blend of tomato and basil spices straight from the garden is paired with Cello’s award-winning Parmesan.

TH Foods, Inc., Loves Park, Ill., used the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago to introduce eight new snack items. 

Cinnamon Bun Snack Sticks: With the taste of a gooey cinnamon bun, the sesame sticks are dipped in real honey then lightly coated in a sweet cinnamon bun seasoning for a balance of indulgence and crunch. There are no artificial colors or flavors, no MSG, and no autolyzed yeast extract.

Power Grain Quinoa Corn Sticks: Containing the simple ingredients of corn, salt, soybean oil, and quinoa, a power grain that is known for its great wholesome taste and health benefits.

Vegetable Red Beet Sticks: Featuring beets, an up-and-coming vegetable, these non-GMO lightly salted snack sticks come in a brilliant red color and are made from corn, quinoa.

Pineapple Habanero Honey Sticks (pictured): Real honey, sesame, and habanero peppers are crafted with the taste of pineapple to balance sweet and heat.

TH Foods also unveiled four new organic offerings: Sesame Sticks (Narrow), Sesame Sticks (Wide), Salted Corn Chips with Flax, and Honey Roast Sesame Sticks.

Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif., introduces Blue Diamond Crafted Gourmet Almonds.

“Gourmet foods are an exciting new genre for Blue Diamond and this is an example of our dedication to food innovation,” says Raj Joshi, Blue Diamond senior vice president, Global Consumer Division. 

Joshi says what makes Blue Diamond Crafted Gourmet Almonds unique—is the process. First, the almond skins are removed for a smooth texture and nutty crunch. The almonds are then roasted, seasoned, and cured with a blend of herbs and spices to create a rich and savory taste.

Blue Diamond Crafted Gourmet Almonds are available in four unique, on-trend flavors including Pink Himalayan Salt; Black Truffle; Garlic, Herb and Olive Oil; and Rosemary and Sea Salt. 

Blue Diamond’s online store offers Crafted Gourmet Almonds in black, 10oz bags for $7.98. A package of six 5oz bags sells for $21.95. They join wide range of more than 20 Blue Diamond almond flavors—from bold varieties such as Sriracha or Salt ‘n Vinegar, to oven roasted varieties such as Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel.

The Good Bean, Berkeley, Calif., used the Sweets & Snacks Expo to introduce new products and new flavors.

To make its better-for-you snacks more portable and convenient, the company developed a new 1.4-ounce grab-and-go packaging for three flavors of its crunchy chickpeas snacks: Classic Hummus; Sea Salt; and Sweet Sriracha, with hints of chili peppers, garlic, vinegar, and salt.

The company cites research suggesting that in America, the average per capita consumption of snack food will be nearly 50 pounds in 2018, and nearly half of that will be purchased in portable 1oz- to 3oz packaging. 

“I created the 1.4oz grab and go size as a response to consumer demand for our bean snacks in a more convenient, portable form,” says The Good Bean’s Founder Sarah Wallace.

Each snack size portion delivers 8g of protein, 6g of fiber, and zero trans-fat. The Good Bean’s snack-size packages will be rolling into stores—including 7-Eleven convenience stores—this summer.

The Good Bean’s larger, 6oz bags of Crunchy Chickpeas come in six flavors. They include Thai Coconut, Chili Lime, Sweet Cinnamon, Sea Salt, Classic Hummus, and a new Sweet Sriracha variety.

The Good Bean also makes a Favas+Peas snack in three flavors: Habanero Citrus, Balsamic Herb, and Sea Salt. These 6oz portions also have 7g of protein in every serving.

Amplify Snack Brands, Austin, Texas, introduced a line of kid-focused puffs in two flavors—White Cheddar and Sweet Cinnamon—for salty snack fans and those with a sweet tooth. 

Because SkinnyPop Puffs are made from 100% SkinnyPop Popcorn (no rice, cornmeal or fillers), kids love the taste and moms appreciate the simple ingredient list. The snack is baked (not fried), low in sugar, and packed with 17g of whole grains per serving, plus a good source of fiber. Free from artificial ingredients and Non-GMO Project Verified, SkinnyPop Puffs are also certified gluten-free, and peanut-and-tree-nut-free, making them an ideal choice for those on a limited diet.

“With SkinnyPop popcorn as the first ingredient, we’re taking this much-loved snack and giving it a whole-food makeover,” says SkinnyPop Brand Manager Kyle Banahan. “Moms may buy these for their kids as a nutritious snack, but the delicious taste and crunch make it so they can’t stop munching themselves. There’s a love for Puffs across generations, and we see this as a huge opportunity to grow our family of products.”

Officials say the White Cheddar variety features 100% real, organic, hormone-free, cheddar cheese and zero added sugars. The Sweet Cinnamon version is certified vegan and contains only 4g of sugar. Both products contain only 130 calories per serving. They carry a suggested retail price of $3.30 per 4.2oz bag.

SkinnyPop Puffs are now available to retailers across the country for a SRP of $3.30 per 4.2oz bag.

Cape Cod Potato Chips, Hyannis, Mass., introduced Cape Cod Waves Potato Chips, thick-sliced, wavy-cut potato chips in three flavors: Sea Salt, Reduced Fat Sea Salt and White Cheddar & Sour Cream.

“Inspired by the waves of Cape Cod and the delicious marriage of our kettle cooked chips and your favorite dip, new Cape Cod Waves Potato Chips are a natural addition to the Cape Cod Potato Chip family,” said Laura Merritt, Cape Cod Potato Chips vice president of marketing. “We’ve taken pride in our brand promise to consistently develop distinctly high-quality snacks that deliver on taste, crunch and flavor, and our new Cape Cod Waves Potato Chips are no exception.”

Cape Cod Sea Salt Waves Potato Chips are made with only potatoes, vegetable oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Those looking for a lighter snacking option will enjoy 40% less fat, removed during Cape Cod’s unique cooking process, in Cape Cod Reduced Fat Sea Salt Waves Potato Chips.

Adventurous eaters will crave the unique combination of sharp white cheddar cheese and cool sour cream, which create a delicious fusion of flavor in new Cape Cod White Cheddar & Sour Cream Waves Potato Chips.

Cape Cod Waves Potato Chips are available for MSRP $3.79 in grocery stores nationwide. Cape Cod Potato Chips is a business of Campbell’s Soup Company. 

Originally appeared in the July, 2018 issue of Prepared Foods as Hitting the Shelves.