PeaTos Expands Retail Footprint

Plant-based ‘junk’ food brand PeaTos has recently expanded distribution into more than 2,000 CVS Health and hundreds of H-E-B retail locations nationwide, following a recent transition to become a 100 percent plant-based brand through proprietary technology. PeaTos hopes to challenge the PepsiCo Frito-Lay’s category monopoly by creating products that offer the flavor of junk food snacks like Cheetos and Funyuns but with the benefit of better-for-you nutrition. PeaTos replaces the traditional corn base with peas to offer more protein and fiber than the leading salty snack counterparts but with fewer calories, and less fat and sodium. It currently offers two varieties: Crunchy Onion Rings (Original or Pizza) and Crunchy No-Cheese Curls (Original or Fiery). PeaTos is now available at more than 6,700 retailers nationwide, including Kroger and Sprouts, and online at Peatos.com, SamsClub.com and on Amazon. 

"PeaTos, The 100% Plant-Based “Junk” Snack without the Junk, Expands Retail Footprint Nationwide", Globe Newswire , May 31, 2022

Ancient Brands Milling Announces Expansion Plan

Ancient Brands Milling has announced plans to invest $26.5 million to relocate and expand its puffed grains capacity in Dyersville, Iowa. Ancient Brands is a manufacturer of organic and non-GMO puffed grains for use in products such as cereal, granola and energy bars. After experiencing high demand, the company has nearly reached the capacity of its current facilities. As part of the investment, Ancient Brands plans to replace its current facility by building a new 92,000-square-foot plant in Dyersville. The new facility will allow the company to expand its portfolio to include puffed wheats. In addition to bringing in new high-volume equipment, the expansion will increase Ancient Brand’s capacity from 2.5 million to 20 million pounds of puffed grains per year. The company will start building the new facility this month and hopes it will be ready to start-up by the end of Q2 next year. 

"Ancient Brands Milling to expand", World-grain.com, May 27, 2022

Indian BFY Snack Brand Snaqary Experiences Growth

Indian BFY snack brand Snaqary was founded two years ago by two mothers who wanted to create tasty yet healthy snacks for their children. Snaqary makes organic, plant-based snacks made from traditional Indian ingredients including bajra, jowar, pulses, seeds and nuts. Snaqary sells a variety of products including sev, bajra puri crisps and roasted seed mixes. 

"Another Big Step Into Deliciousness By Snaqary", UP18News, May 27, 2022

IFIC Food & Health Survey Shows Relation To Eating Habits & Stress Levels

The International Food Information Council’s 2022 Food and Health Survey revealed that consumers are more stressed out and are trying to become healthier through diet changes. Slightly more than half of all consumers say they are following a diet or eating pattern, increasing to 52 percent from 39 percent in 2021. The top four eating patterns consumers say they are following are clean eating, mindful eating, calorie counting and plant-based. Stress is inevitably affecting these eating choices. 56 percent of consumers reported feeling at least somewhat stressed during the last six months. IFIC found 54 percent who tried to alleviate stress through eating have made healthier food choices. However, one in four consumers claim they always or often eat when they feel stressed. Of those who have felt very stressed in the last six months, nearly three in 10 snack at least three times a day.

"More consumers look for clean eating as they battle stress, survey shows", Food Dive, May 26, 2022

Moon Cheese Launches Crunchy Cheese Sticks

100 percent cheese-based snack brand, Moon Cheese, has launched its Crunchy Cheese Sticks. Moon Cheese claims its Cheese Sticks are the first shelf-stable cheese snack product in a stick or puff format made from 100 percent real cheese. The cheese sticks are gluten-free and have 14-15 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. Moon Cheese’s Crunchy Cheese Sticks are available in-store in five flavors: Cheesy Does It, Wild White Chedda', Kick It Up a Nacho, Rowdy Ranch, and Yum Inferno. The Yum Inferno flavor is available exclusively at Whole Foods Market. 

"Moon Cheese® Launches Crunchy Cheese Sticks, A First-of-its-Kind Shelf-Stable Cheese Snack", PRNewswire, May 31, 2022

Valency International Wins In The Retail Category At The SBR National Business Awards

International commodity trading house, Valency International Pte Ltd., received the Retail Category trophy at the 2022 SBR National Business Awards. The company was awarded for the success of its Singaporean brand, With Love, Gretel (WLG), that makes sprouted snacks using sustainable manufacturing methods. WLG sells a range of sprouted plant-based foods, including nut and seeds mixes, nut butters, and superfoods. Its production facility reduces its carbon footprint by recycling cashew shells to burn as a greener alternative to coal. WLG’s products are sold online on its website and in-store in local supermarkets, gas stations and movie theaters. This year, WLG plans to expand internationally and enter the South-East Asian, Middle East, North American and European markets. 

"Valency International earns recognition in the Retail category at the SBR National Business Awards", Singapore Business Review, June 01, 2022

Pladis Expands Non-HFSS Portfolio With New Recipe For Twiglets

Snacking company Pladis is updating the recipe for Jacob’s Twiglets to make the snack non-HFSS. Though the new Twiglets recipe contains 60 percent less salt, Pladis claims the new recipe has performed well during comprehensive consumer testing. This reformulation comes alongside a redesign of the entire Jacob’s Twiglets portfolio. The new look will put greater emphasis on the health benefits of Twiglets, such as its high fibre and wholegrain content, as well as communicating that the product is oven-baked, not fried.

"Pladis expands non-HFSS portfolio with new recipe for Twiglets", Talking Retail, May 31, 2022

RW Garcia Expands Distribution To Whole Foods

Utz Brands-owned artisan snack brand RW Garcia has recently expanded distribution of its Organic Crackers to select Whole Foods Market stores. Of RW Garcia’s five flavors, Whole Foods Market will carry three: Sweet Potato, Everything, and Lentil with Tumeric. Its Organic Crackers are gluten-free and Non-GMO Project verified and are made using clean ingredients such as vegetables, seeds, and lentils. 

"RW Garcia Launches Organic Crackers At Select Whole Foods Market Stores", PRNewswire, May 31, 2022

Singapore Start-Up Hey! Chips Adds Corn Chips To Line-Up

Singapore snack start-up Hey! Chips has recently launched corn kernel chips to its line of dehydrated fruit and vegetable products. Hey! Chips now sells nine varieties of dehydrated chips, including mango, banana, okra, broccoli, onion and jackfruit. Its chips made with 100 percent natural ingredients are dehydrated at 60C to 80C to absorb less oil than deep frying or air frying.

"Singapore snack startup’s guilt-free corn chips can curb unhealthy diets", Coconuts Singapore, May 25, 2022