According to Villanova University marketing professor Charles Taylor, the “unique product positioning” – “vegan pork rinds” – of Rockville, Md.-based start-up Snacklins helped it triple sales last year. The snack chip is made from yuca, mushrooms, and onions, is gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, certified non-GMO, and certified kosher, and only 90 calories a bag. But the young company’s biggest achievement, according to Taylor, has been its ability to analyze customers and “environmental changes” and rethink its product. In December the company launched a rebranding effort that featured more flavors, a graphics refresh (stylized mouth designs), an advanced e-commerce website (a response to the coronavirus pandemic), and the introduction of a larger, multi-serve (three-ounce) package size.
"Snacklins: A Fun Lesson In Rebranding During Good Times (Just Ask Mark Cuban Or Rachel Ray...)", Forbes Media, January 19, 2021
The Camden, N.J.-based food company decided to close the Columbus snacks manufacturing facility in phases by spring 2022 because of its age and reduced consumer demand for non-core products made there. The plant, which employs 326 people, produces candy, crackers, cookies, nuts, and bars under brands such as Snyder’s of Hanover and Pepperidge Farm. The 94-years-old plant was part of Campbell’s purchase of Snyder’s-Lance in 2018. Campbell says it will phase out the production of candy under the Lance brand and will shift production of its higher demand Lance, Emerald, and Late July snacks across the division’s manufacturing network.
"Campbell to close Georgia snacks plant and lay off 326 people", FoodBev.com, January 18, 2021
Among the important themes highlighted by Innova Market Insights in the sweets and snacks categories are provenance, sustainable sourcing, and packaging. The researcher’s 2020 survey found that 85 percent of global consumers want to learn more about where their food comes from. In response, food companies are working harder to meet evolving ethical, environmental, and clean label consumer demands using creative, meaningful storytelling to communicate this. Sweets and snacks companies are emphasizing ingredient provenance for raw materials such as nuts, cocoa, and sugar, along with ethical credentials and packaging sustainability. Other key trends include: plant-based; demand for different formats, new plant proteins; personalized nutrition that features healthy and immune-supporting ingredients; and the availability of “branded cinema-style snacks” in the home.
"Sweets and snacks innovation bolstered by sustainability storytelling, says Innova Market Insights", FoodIngredientsFirst.com, January 18, 2021
The San Mateo County, Calif.-based granola company has added Protein Bites to its portfolio. Described as a “salty snack with a crunch,” the product offers functional benefits from its “super foods” ingredients, which include buckwheat and chia seeds. Each serving contains 12 grams of plant-based protein. The product is sold at Bianchini’s in Ladera and at other local markets.
"Ladera Foods gives its granola a refresh while launching new products", InMenlo , January 12, 2021
Kellogg’s Canadian brand (Mississauga, Ont.) is putting a new twist on January 17, known as "Ditch New Year's Resolutions Day," when Canadians fall back into old habits. Special K’s "Prove It Day" promotion is designed to encourage Canadians to reach their New Year’s goals. It turns a Special K box into a prize generator: consumers visit a website to scan a cereal barcode offering a chance to win motivational prizes, including exercise bikes, fitness trackers, water bottles, yoga mats, and a year's supply of Special K, among others. The celebrity face of the promotion is Kaitlyn Bristowe, ABC's Dancing with the Stars 2020 winner, former Bachelorette, and podcaster.
"Kellogg's* Special K* Launches "Prove It Day" with Kaitlyn Bristowe to Help Inspire Canadians", Canada NewsWire, January 12, 2021
The Battle Creek, Mich.-based breakfast foods company’s Raisin Bran Toasted Oats and Honey is made with the traditional bran flakes and raisins plus whole-grain toasted oats and honey. Available now at U.S. retailers, the new oats and honey version has a suggested retail price of $2.99 for a 15.6-ounce box and $3.99 for a 22.1-ounce box.
"Expanding The Bran With New Kellogg's Raisin Bran Toasted Oats And Honey", PR Newswire, January 12, 2021
The maker of non-allergenic foods (Miami, Fla.) announced that its Favalicious fava bean snack has debuted on the Home Shopping Network. The product is a roasted high-protein keto-friendly fava bean snack designed as an “allergy friendly alternative to nuts” that can be easily added to kids’ lunch boxes. The company says Favalicious also serves as a gluten-free crouton substitute on salads, and in soups and tacos. Available in 2-oz bags, a serving of Favalicious has fewer than six grams net carbs, 14 grams of protein, 16 grams of fiber, no added sugars and low sodium.
"Start a Favalicious 2021 with some crunchy Fava Bean Snacks debuting on HSN in January", openPR, January 11, 2021
The Bay Area business accelerator has closed a $200K investment in the fast-growing San Francisco food business Don Bugito, maker of insect-based snacks inspired by pre-Columbian Mexican cuisine. Founded by Monica Martinez, the company champions the use of "bugitos" like crickets and mealworms, combined with traditional spices found in Native American and Mexican cuisine. The company’s product line includes Chile Lime Crickets, Spicy Bugitos, Granola Bites powered with insect protein powder, and even baking flour made of insects. ICA's investment is part of the San Francisco Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF), a collaborative investment fund that partners with local Community Development Financial Institutions to deploy capital to underinvested Latinx- and Black-owned businesses.
"ICA invests $200,000 to Accelerate Insect Snack Maker", PR Newswire, January 07, 2021
The Chicago-based dairy foods company has introduced a new range of functional dairy snacks in two varieties, Babybel Plus+ Probiotic and Babybel Plus+ Vitamins, both in the familiar red wax packaging. Babybel Plus+ Probiotic contains billions of live and active cultures of the LGG probiotics strain. Babybel Plus+ Vitamins provides vitamins A and B12, which are known to support eye health and metabolism, respectively. Available in six-count packages, Babybel Plus+ Probiotic and Babybel Plus+ Vitamins will be sold at retailers nationwide starting February 2021 for a suggested retail price of $4.49.
"Babybel Launches the First Range of Functional Snacks in the Category, Babybel Plus+", PR Newswire, January 06, 2021
The U.K.’s EHL Ingredients says 2020 was a year of considerable growth for the chickpea. And, thanks to its versatility and nutritional value, the chickpea is likely to be even more popular in 2021. Chickpeas are the main ingredient in hummus and falafel, so they are already popular among vegans and vegetarians. But they are also being widely consumed dried, puffed or roasted as a snack, or coated in flavor. The company says it is also starting to see high-protein chickpea-based versions of classic foods such as pasta, rice and ice cream hitting store shelves.
"2021 Top Food Trends from EHL Ingredients", About Manchester, January 05, 2021
TopConsumerReviews.com (Overland Park, Kan.) recently awarded its best-in-class five-star rating to Amazing Clubs, a provider of online Popcorn Club subscriptions. The monthly subscription boxes are delivered to the home or office, both in traditional versions like caramel corn and cheddar and in some novel ones not often found in stores. Subscriptions range from monthly to quarterly to annual. The Popcorn Club comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Amazing Clubs offers more than three dozen clubs ranging from bacon to wine.
"Popcorn Club Savors a Best-in-Class Award from Top Consumer Reviews", PR Web, December 30, 2020
The Minneapolis-based food company has launched Grain Free Sunflower Cereal in three flavors: Real Cinnamon, Real Cocoa, and Real Berry, made with sustainable sunflower protein derived from a by-product of the sunflower oil pressing process. Seven Sundays upcycles the protein and fiber rich by-product into a quality food-grade flour. Originally sold at a local farmers market, Seven Sundays’ products are now available in more than 5,000 grocery stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Kroger, Safeway, and select Costco club stores.
"Seven Sundays Launches Grain Free Sunflower Cereal", Nosh.com, December 30, 2020
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