Chulitos LLC Says Its Low-Cal Tortilla Chips Are Healthy, Sustainable

To achieve that result, the Laredo, Texas-based snack company replaces some of the traditional corn used to make tortilla chips with cactus and bakes it without oil. The technique results in a chip with half the calories (75 total), triple the fiber (six grams), and a lot of micronutrients and antioxidants. The key ingredient is cactus, the company says, “an ancient Aztec superfood” that is said to boost immunity, improve gut health, and reduce inflammation. Chulitos, sold in recycled packaging and made with water-saving ingredients, are available on Amazon and will soon be in the snack aisle of specialty grocery stores.

"Chulitos Reveals Mexico’s Best Kept Secret: Guilt-Free Tortilla Chips", Specialty Foods, October 05, 2020

A Teen’s Search For Natural Nut Butters Results In A Lucrative Business

A 15-year-old with a fondness for peanut butter who wanted to do something about her weight problem started looking closely at ingredient labels. The “ton of artificial ingredients” were a turn-off, so she began experimenting in her family’s kitchen with cashews, coconut, honey, almond, dates and pecans to create her own all-natural nut butters. From the kitchen to farmer's markets, to grocery store shelves, and eventually online, Abby Kircher’s business – Abby’s Better Nut Butter – has grown tenfold in the past five years, moving its operations into a manufacturing facility in 2018 and cultivating a huge online following with more than $400,000 in ecommerce sales since the beginning of the year. In addition to its 11 nut butters, the North Carolina-based company has launched a line of grab-and-go Nut Butter Snack Bites that come in four flavors. 

"Abby's Better launches seasonal nut butter flavors, grab-and-go snack bites", Charlotte Business Journal (North Carolina), October 02, 2020

Gutzy Keep Moving’s Lineup Of Gut-Healthy Snacks Flourishes In COVID-19 Era

The New York, N.Y.-based maker of the Gutzy organic brand of gut-healthy fruit, vegetable, and botanical snacks says its products are now available on refrigerated shelves at Meijer and Ingles retail stores, as well as online at Amazon. The accelerated distribution growth is a result of COVID-era consumer trends, especially the surge in shopping activity that reflects consumers proactively managing their own health. Each pouch of Gutzy snacks has five to six grams of prebiotics. The trend has helped the company expand its distribution to the produce and grab-and-go refrigerated snack sections of about 650 stores and has driven its DTC ecommerce business. The company now offers several DTC flavor options in 32-pouch packs. 

"COVID-19 Era Trends Accelerates Distribution Growth of Gutzy Organic", PRWeb, September 30, 2020

China’s Dehydrated Vegetable Companies Get A Pandemic Shot In The Arm

Thanks to the pandemic, consumers in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea have increased their snacking. This, in turn, has boosted sales of dehydrated vegetables, a major ingredient in most of the convenience food products. During the first four months of this year, a city in China’s Zhejiang province exported more than 800 metric tons of dehydrated vegetables, up 81.3 percent on a yearly basis. The export value of the products was $2.94 million. Huzhou Fresh Food's dehydrated vegetables were mainly exported to the U.S. and Europe, including dehydrated tomatoes, red peppers, and cabbages to Belgium. Major Chinese snack makers such as Wuhu, Anhui Three Squirrels Electronic Commerce Co Ltd, and Bestore Food Co Ltd, have also benefited from the trend: they have been developing healthier high-quality snacks like fruit and vegetables crunches in recent years.

"Dehydrated vegetable companies witness robust demand for products", China Daily, October 03, 2020

Unique Pretzel Bakery Rebrands As Unique Snacks

The Reading, Pa.-based family business found that the pandemic had been something of a boon for its sales, as demand for snacks increased tremendously. In response, the company used the uncertainty created in the marketplace to develop a strategic ecommerce plan and initiate a rebranding campaign ahead of the company’s 100th anniversary in February 2021. The company says the rebranding will involve growing the core pretzel business while expanding into healthy snacks. Unique Snacks’ products have fewer ingredients, including Splits, Shells and Sourdough Craft Beer Pretzel Rings, which are all verified Non-GMO. The Sprouted Splits and Sprouted Shells are certified USDA organic, making all snacks compatible with a variety of diets, including vegan, kosher, and low cholesterol. Since March, the company has tripled website sales and experienced a 575 percent increase in purchases through Amazon. 

"Unique Pretzel Bakery, Inc. Rebrands as Unique Snacks with New Packaging", Business Wire , October 06, 2020

Tefftastic Debuts Teff-Based Snack Puffs

The new protein + prebiotic fiber-rich Tefftastic Puffs, made with stone-ground black teff, contain eight grams of complete plant protein, nine grams of prebiotic fiber, nine essential amino acids, as well as vitamins and minerals, per snack-sized 70-gram bag. According to the company, Tefftastic Puffs are made in small batches from black teff imported from Ethiopia, The gluten-free snacks, made with no artificial additives, are available in Ethiopian Devil Pepper and Ethiopian Jalapeño + Coriander flavors, on the company website in six-bag packages for $29.95.

"Ethiopia's Top Entrepreneur is on a mission to make snack lovers Feel Tefftastic!", PR Newswire, October 06, 2020

Laird Superfood Enters Snack Market With Pili Nuts

The new snack from the Sisters, Ore.-based marketer of coffee and creamers is available in Himalayan sea salt, matcha, and cacao flavors. Grown on trees in the Philippines, pili nuts are naturally high in fat – 18 grams per serving in the case of the snack – and are a good source of magnesium and vitamin E. Laird Superfood's Pili Nuts are available at the company’s website and at select retailers for $14.95 per 8 oz bag. Laird is known for its coffee creamers, hydration products, beverage enhancing supplements, roasted and instant coffees, teas and hot chocolate.

"Laird Superfood Expands its Plant-Based Product Platform into the Snack Foods Category with the Introduction of Nutrient-Dense Pili Nuts", PR Newswire, October 06, 2020

Munchy Seeds Products To Be Sold On British Health Food Chain’s Website

The Suffolk, U.K.-based seed brand has secured online listings with Holland & Barratt, a British chain of health food shops, as it looks to expand visibility of its roasted seed mixes to health-conscious British consumers. The seed mixes are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein, making them appropriate for sprinkling over breakfasts, lunches, dinners, or after a workout. Among the products are Warm Cinnamon in 25 g packs, Honey Roasted, Sweet Chilli and Mega Omega in resealable 125 g packs, and Mega Omega, Mild Chilli, Honey Roasted and Salted Caramel in the jumbo-size 450 g pouches. Prices range from 79p ($1.02) for the 25-gram size to £8.99 ($11.65) for the 450-gram mega packs.

"Munchy Seeds heads online with Holland & Barratt", Retail Times, October 06, 2020

Innovation – And The Pandemic – Drives Potato Chip Success

An almost overnight change in snacking behavior brought on by the coronavirus pandemic has driven potato chip sales through the roof: up $51 billion for the first quarter of 2020, compared to last year. Innovation in the category with products like kettle-cooked chips has also played a major role in fueling the trend. And producers have responded to consumer preference for healthier snacks by lowering salt and using quality oils with health benefits. Utz’s Boulder Canyon kettle-cooked potato chips, for example, are cooked in healthier oils like avocado, coconut, olive, sunflower, safflower, and rice bran. But flavor is what keeps customers coming back for more. Herr Foods has launched a new Flavor Mix that includes Cheddar and Sour Cream and Onion; Barbecue and Salt and Vinegar; and Red Hot and Honey Barbecue.

"Innovation pays off for potato chip makers", Baking Business, October 02, 2020

The Squirrel Sisters Expands Beyond Snack Bars

London, U.K.-based maker of better-for-you snack bars has created a range of roasted nuts and seeded crackers containing no added sugar. The nuts will be available in Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Cashews, Fiery Chilli Cashews, Sea Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar Almonds, and Smoked Almonds at £1.10 ($1.42) for 25 grams. The seeded crackers, available in November, will come in two flavors: Smokey Paprika and Crispy Onion at £1.35 ($1.74) for 25 grams. All Squirrel Sisters products are vegan, paleo, high in fiber, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free.

"Squirrel Sisters enters savory snacks with roasted nuts and seeded crackers", thegrocer.co.uk, September 29, 2020