Product showcase 2020: Fighting the virus most physically and mentally with healthy snacks and indulgent traybakes
Bringing cheer to your door
Ginger Baker’s flagship shop is still open in Cumbria, UK, but to give customers a bit of a lift to get through the coronavirus outbreak, cake maker Lisa Smith has created several mini gift boxes to order online.
The first of Ginger Bakers’ mini online collections contains a selection of six traybake slices chosen from customer favourites, including Chocolate Damson Brownie, Carrot & Ginger Cake Bake, Fig Roast Hazelnut & Coffee Cake Bake, Pecan Caramel Shortbread, Raspberry & Almond Blondie and Blackcurrant & Lemon Cake Bake.
The second collection is made up of six gluten-free traybake slices, which means that everyone can enjoy a little indulgence, featuring Berry & Beetroot Brownie, Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Nancy, Date & Wild Seed Bar, Lemon & Polenta Cake Bake, Orange Cobble Crunch.
Both collections are priced at £12, including free delivery direct to your door. Orders can be placed on the company’s website.
Stay active
Sports nutrition brand Acti-Snack has launched seven Nut and Trail Mixes designed to naturally fuel the body and promote recovery.
According to Bronagh Clarke, marketing director of Acti-Snacks, the hand-crafted range puts protein front and centre to help build muscle mass. However, as athletes need more than that, broader micro and macro nutrients that are needed for performance such as potassium, magnesium and iron to fight muscle fatigue have been added.
The mixes are all vegan, gluten free and 100% natural.
- The ‘Energy’ mix is aimed to give trailblazers to get them a much-needed boost before and during adventures and comes in two flavours: Salted Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter.
- The ‘Natural’ mix contains no added flavours and comes in three mixes: Natural Nut, Fruit & Nut and Nut & Seed.
- The Keto mix is ‘the first accredited Keto snack in the UK and Ireland’ and comes in two flavours: Salt & Apple Cider Vinegar and Buffalo BBQ.
Lorna Cooke, a sports nutritionist at Sports Medicine NI, was involved in the development of the product.
“Acti-Snack has embraced the ‘food first’ approach to fuelling and recovery but has also concentrated on only using natural ingredients, which is fantastic. Being ‘food first’ ensures that athletes are better fuelled to reduce risk of injury and improve competition performance,” she said.
“What sets Acti-Snack apart from traditional protein snacks is the natural nutrition approach as well as unique flavour blends, which reduce the problem of flavour fatigue that can be a real issue for endurance athletes.”
The mixes are available in selected retail outlets across the UK in 40g on-the-go packs for an RRP of £1.50 and 200g Power Packs for an RRP of £4.00.
Lift your spirits
Sainsbury’s is stocking Amazin Grazin – an award-winning cheese-forward snack from Norseland – as single bars in its ‘Food to Go’ section in 124 of its Sainsbury’s Convenience Stores across the UK. Until now, the snack bar has only been available in packs of four in the chilled section of Sainsbury’s supermarkets.
Norseland, a UK speciality cheese company, launched the cheese and seed bar targeted at the younger generations, who are increasingly looking for health-conscious snacks to satisfy their hunger.
The bars contain 100% natural ingredients, including sunflower and pumpkin seeds, which are high in magnesium and the amino acid tryptophan, both natural relaxants and anti-depressants. Recent research found intakes of magnesium by teenagers and adults are lower than recommended in the UK, at a time when those suffering from feelings of anxiety and depression are all too common.
Available in three flavours – Smoky Chipotle, Sticky Date & Honey and Berry & Cherry – the single 35g bars are priced at 75p.
“There is an increasing trend among young consumers to want healthy, tasty snacking, so it is great to see that Sainsbury’s have recognised how Amazin Grazin can appeal to this generation,” said Dominique Delacour, head of marketing and new product development, Norseland.
Amazin Grazin is currently available exclusively in Sainsbury’s, but will roll out to other retailers after April.
Your new bestie
The Besst Crackers, a USDA certified organic cracker, has debuted in the high fibre category.
Made with organic bran and rye handcrafted and artisan-milled from two farms that have been in operation for more than 150 years, the ingredients are free from all additives and not grown with any GMOs or chemicals like glyphosate.
The Besst Crackers are low-carb, vegan, keto-friendly and kosher and are a great bread alternative, helping to meet daily fibre requirements. Each cracker serving is packed with 3g of fibre and contains only 18 calories and 5g of carbs.
“After years of consuming high fibre foods and witnessing first-hand the many health benefits of increased fibre, we decided it was time to take a closer look at its source,” said founder and certified health coach Bess Rostowsky.
“It quickly became clear that many wheat-based, fibre-rich foods had questionable sources for their ingredients. Most were non-organic and sprayed with harmful chemicals.
“The Besst Crackers has eliminated the chemical additives while still offering the same benefits of other high-fibre foods, by using the highest-quality, certified organic ingredients. They will instantly become your new ‘besstie’.”
Available in two flavours – Original and Everything Bagel – the crackers are available on LetsBeBessties.com and Amazon in five packs of 12 crackers for an RRP of $24.99.
Get breakfast on
San Diego-based brand brekki has introduced an innovative twist to its dairy-free ready-to-eat Overnight Oats.
Overnight Oats with Ancient Grains & Fruit Down Under uses its signature offering, The Original, as a base, with the addition of ancient grains, real fruit, fruit purees and spices at the bottom of the package for consumers to mix in.
The Original is a blend of oats, almonds, almond milk, organic coconut nectar and ancient grains (flax, chia, buckwheat groats).
“We have been watching brekki fans consistently top their brekki cups with actual fruit and ancient grains,” said Greg Peyser, cofounder & director of sales.
“We know they want more convenience and less effort when choosing a ready to eat snack or meal. Our new product line takes the prep work out, providing the consumer with a delicious Overnight Oats option – convenient, complete, healthy and versatile.”
The new ‘brekki’ comes in five flavours, including Apples & Cinnamon, Açai Berries, Bananas & Maple Brown Sugar, Blueberries, Strawberries. The line boasts a clean label and all flavours are dairy free, soy-free, gluten free, non-GMO, plant-based and vegan.
I’ve got my eye on you
Voodoo potato chip maker Zapp’s has upped the flavour stakes.
The Louisiana-based snack producer has headed to New Orleans for inspiration, producing a range of flavours that lives up to the sights, sounds and soul of the city’s vibrant culture.
Zapp’s New Orleans Kettle Style Evil Eye potato chips are available in 2oz, 2.625oz, 5oz and 9oz Party Size bags, in a wide range of flavours, including Voodoo, Spicy Cajun Crawtators and Cajun Dill Gator-Tators.
Available from leading retailers across the US and online.
Zapp’s Potato Chips – a wholly owned subsidiary of Utz Quality Foods – was founded by Ron Zappe in 1985.
