A Look at New Snacks Making a Debut in July 2018
Showcasing: Snacks
Prepared Foods takes a look at new snacks making a debut in July 2018.
SAY CHEESE
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.
SNACK ATTACK
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.
CRAFTED GOURMET
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.
GOOD CHOICE
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.
KID FRIENDLY
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.
CRAVE THE WAVE
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.
PepsiCo Inks Deal for Bare Snacks
Late May saw PepsiCo, Inc. announce its agreement to acquire Bare Foods Co., a San Francisco processor of baked fruit and vegetable snacks. PepsiCo officials said the move “will expand the company’s snacking portfolio and further deliver on its ‘Performance with Purpose’ vision to offer consumers more positive nutrition options.”
“For nearly a dozen years, PepsiCo has been committed to Performance with Purpose, our vision of making more nutritious products, while also reducing added sugars, salt, and saturated fat. Bare Snacks fits perfectly within that vision,” said Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo chairman and CEO. “The Bare Snacks leadership team has done an outstanding job building a top-tier organization and a strong brand with authentic roots, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Bare Snacks to the PepsiCo family.”
Bare Snacks was founded in 2001 by a family-owned organic apple farm in Washington, which began selling packaged baked apple chips in local farmers’ markets. Under its current leadership team, it has expanded steadily to become the leader in apple, banana and coconut snacks. It has recently expanded into vegetable chips and offers the industry’s broadest assortment of baked crunchy fruit and vegetable chips. Bare products are made from simple ingredients that are baked, not fried. They are Non GMO Project verified, feature clean labels and are sold online and in natural and conventional retail channels across the United States.
“We are thrilled to work with the PepsiCo team to further our mission of bringing simplicity to snacking,” said Santosh Padki, CEO of Bare Foods. “With a shared passion for crunchy, better-for-you snacks, PepsiCo is the right partner to help bring our simply baked fruit and vegetable snacks to even more consumers across the world and continue to grow our brand.”
Upon closing, Bare Snacks will continue to operate independently from its San Francisco offices. Its leadership will report into PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay North America division.
“Bare premium baked fruit and vegetable chips are an exciting expansion of Frito-Lay’s better-for-you snack offerings,” said Vivek Sankaran, Frito-Lay North America president and chief operating officer. “While we will continue to offer the current Bare Snacks product line, we look forward to working with the Bare Snacks team to deliver new, innovative options, and ultimately expanded distribution, to meet the ever-growing consumer demands for authentic and nutritious snacks.”
Snacks Among SFA’s sofi Awards
Specialty Food Association honors 156 new products in 39 categories.
The Specialty Food Association (SFA), sponsor of the Winter Fancy Food Show and the Summer Fancy Food Show, presented its annual sofi Awards for new product excellence to specialty food and beverage manufacturers.
A national panel of culinary experts considered more than 2,650 entries in a blind tasting evaluation. In all, the 2018 sofi Awards honored 156 winners with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and “Best New Product” recognitions in 39 categories.
“Our 2018 winners possess the passion for innovation and great-tasting food that fuels our industry,” said Phil Kafarakis, president of the Specialty Food Association. “Today’s consumers are clamoring for new and exciting foods across every channel, from retail to foodservice. The sofi winners are at the forefront of that growth and rising excitement for specialty food products.”
Of the many diverse categories, three directly involved snack and snack/appetizer products. Following are the winning products and companies.
Sweet Snacks
Gold: Nibs & Coffee Cacao-Nectar Bar / Honey Mama’s, Portland, Ore.
Silver: Swell Grain-Free Granola Bar, Coconut, Pistachios & Cocoa Nibs / Nana Joes LLC, San Francisco
Bronze: Mayan Spice Cacao-Nectar Bar / Honey Mama’s
Best New Product: Almond Crunch Quinoa Bar / Cocoa Parlor, Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Savory Snacks
Gold: From The Ground Up Cauliflower Pretzels With Sea Salt / Halen Brands, Fairfield, N.J.
Silver: Organic Purple Sweet Potato Chips / Jans Enterprises Corp., El Monte, Calif.
Bronze: SeaSnax Chomperz Jalapeno / SeaSnax, Los Angeles
Best New Product: Almond Clusters Baked With Cashews, Pumpkin Seeds & Sunflower Seeds / Creative Snacks Co., High Point, N.C.
Savory Appetizers, Soups & Stews
Gold: Potato Samosas with Chutneys / Cafe Spice, New Windsor, N.Y.
Silver: Ritrovo Selections White Beans with Truffle / Ritrovo Italian Regional Foods LLC, Seattle
Bronze: Carrie’s Black Pepper Bacon Biscuits / Callie’s Charleston Biscuits, LLC, North Charleston, S.C.
Best New Product: Organic Carmelized Onion and Feta Pastry Kiss / The Perfect Bite Co., Glendale, Calif.
Related sofi Award categories included baked goods, chocolates, chocolate candy, confections and crackers.
There were 58 judges including chefs, culinary instructors, recipe developers, food journalists, and specialty food buyers participated in the selection process. The sofi Award Product of the Year, given to the product that received the highest cumulative score, was to be announced during the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show at the Javits Center in New York, June 30-July 2. Learn more at specialtyfood.com.
NCA Honors Snacks
At the National Confectioners Association’s 2018 Sweets & Snacks Expo, innovations in candy and snacks were recognized with the industry’s annual Most Innovative New Product Awards. The awards—including those for “Best in Show” and the newly added “Small Business Innovator”—highlight creative, innovative and fun products new to the marketplace.
Winners were selected from more than 300 new product award entries across nine candy and snack categories: chocolate; non-chocolate; sweet; salty; savory; novelty; seasonal; gourmet/premium; and gum and mints. Product submissions were rated based on four weighted criteria: taste, packaging, innovation and go-to market feasibility.
“Innovation and new products are key drivers of treating and snacking,” said John Downs, president and CEO of the National Confectioners Association. “Our ‘Most Innovative Product Awards’ celebrate creative product development by category innovators. The competition is fierce, and the companies that have been recognized should be very proud of the contributions they make to advancing the fun and enjoyment of the category.”
The awards are sponsored by IRi, an innovator in big data known for the integration of the world’s largest set of purchase, media, social, casual and loyalty data.
This year’s snack nominees and winners were:
Sweet Snacks Winner: Justin’s / Justin’s Organic White Chocolate Mini Peanut Butter Cups
Nominees:
That’s How We Roll - Cinnamon Crumb Cake Thins
Edward Marc Brands, Inc. - Cookie Butter Snappers
Vidal Candies USA, Inc. - SPICY MANGOS
The Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc. - Superfruit Mix
Salty Snacks Winner: Sahale Snacks / Sahale Snacks Tangerine Vanilla Cashew-Macadamia Glazed Mix
Nominees:
From the Ground Up - Cauliflower Pretzel Sticks
Perfect Snax – Butterfinger
Made in Nature, LLC - Veggie Pops / Salt and Pepper
Rudolph Foods Co, Inc. - Oven Baked Pork Rinds/Blackberry
Habanero
Savory Snacks Winner: Alli & Rose / Trail Mix Crackers
Nominees:
Cheesewich Factory - Bacon and Eggs
Kellogg’s - Cheez-It Duoz Caramel Popcorn & Cheddar
Land O’Frost - High Protein Chips
Clever Cookie - Baked Cheddar Protein Crisps
“Being selected for a prestigious award like NCA’s Most Innovative New Products Awards, acknowledged by retailers, is the pinnacle of accomplishments,” said IRi’s Sally Lyons
Wyatt, executive vice president and practice leader. “Retailers are advocates for consumers, and they see the value these products will bring to their shoppers.”
To learn more about the Sweets and Snacks Expo, visit www.sweetsandsnacks.com