Product showcase 2020: From mindful snacking to a super cereal MASHUP
The ABC of snacking
Monkey is launching a new Chocolate Bar, made simply of banana, cashews and cacao.
The brand was founded by husband and wife team Ben Blue and Sophie Boslough to create nourishing banana-based snacks that fuel curiosity and adventure.
Its first release – the Monkey Bar – combines certified organic apple, banana and cashews (ABC) to create the nostalgic flavour and texture of banana bread.
Made with whole, real ingredients, every Monkey Bar includes one whole banana, with no added flavours, fillers or processed ingredients. The bars are gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and shelf stable for one year.
Last year, the Washington, D.C.-based brand launched an initiative with José Andrés’ food security organisation, World Central Kitchen, to donate 10% of every ecommerce sale to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Monkey’s products are available by the box (7, 12 or 60 bars) from Whole Foods Markets, Yes Organic Markets, Streets Markets in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. It is also available online, with free national shipping, through a variety of subscription options (1, 2 or 3 months).
The new Chocolate Bar will be released later this year.
A real trouper
Heath Warrior’s bars – designed as an easy grab-and-go snack – are made with simple ingredients, with seeds front and forward.
The Health Warrior organic Pumpkin Seed Bars are made with mineral-rich pumpkin seeds and honey, and include 7g-8g of plant-based protein in each bar. Available in four flavours, including Dark Chocolate, Honey Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate Peanut and Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond, the bars meet many dietary preferences as they are all USDA certified organic, gluten free, kosher and non-GMO Project Verified.
The Health Warrior Chia Bars are 100 calories, made with plant-based ingredients like chia seeds and nut butter, with only 3g of sugar in each bar. The bars are available in 11 variants and are also gluten free, kosher, non-GMO Project Verified and vegan.
#DipForDinner goes centrestage
Kellogg’s Town House has partnered with Kristin Chenoweth to create a limited-time Dip for Dinner Kit, featuring all of the ingredients needed to whip up the Broadway star’s dinner-worthy dip, along with the new Town House Dippers.
Inspired by inventive Americans who have mastered the art of making a meal out of ‘literally whatever we have because I just can’t tonight’, the Town House Dippers and Pita crackers will be hitting stores nationwide.
“These crackers are deliciously designed to stand up to the heartiest of dips” said Zach Wyer, director of Brand Marketing, Kellogg’s Crackers.
“And with informal becoming the new normal, why not switch out that more formal meal with the fun option of dip for dinner? Whether you’re eating a solo dinner on the couch or gathering around with others, you can skip the prep work of that intricate meal and dip into a relaxing night with minimal effort.”
Added Chenoweth, “It happens all the time – especially when I’m busy working on a project.
“It’s 6pm and I should be in the middle of prepping dinner, but instead I’m sitting in front of the TV thinking about how I can avoid all of the cooking and cleaning that comes along with a homemade meal.
“With the help of Town House crackers, you don’t even need silverware. I can’t wait to share my Dip for Dinner Kit with some of my lucky followers, and the recipe with everyone else!”
From June 30, fans in Los Angeles and New York City can win a free ‘Cheno-Worth It’ Dip for Dinner Kit by checking out Kristin Chenoweth on Instagram (@kchenoweth) and Twitter (@KChenoweth) and revealing what their favourite dip would be to pair with the new Dippers.
Skin on superfruit
Sustainable snack brand RIND has launched its fifth addition to the ‘skin on superfruit’ product line.
The Coco-Melon bar features a refreshing blend of organic coconut, watermelon and cantaloupe. The new SKU, to be launched in July, represents RIND’s first foray into applying its ‘peel-powered’ formula to melons—a category largely ignored by other snack brands.
RIND’s tangy and chewy blends use the whole fruit. The snack producers retains the skin on its sun-dried superfruits to maximise flavour and nutrition. The bars are high in antioxidants from vitamin C, high in fibre and contain no sulphates. They are also kosher, non-GMO and gluten-free.
Coco-Melon will be rolling out in thousands of retailers across the US, as well as online and Amazon in July, for an RRP of $5.99 per bar.
All together now
Tony the Tiger and Toucan Sam has teamed up to give breakfast lovers the best of both cereal worlds with Kellogg’s MASHUPS Cereal.
The limited-edition cereal delivers a two-in-one breakfast experience with none of the fuss. According to 2019 K-Insiders survey of US adults, more than half enjoy mixing cereals together.
“Kellogg’s is always looking to innovate and deliver new experiences that our cereal fans desire,” said Erin Storm, marketing director of Kellogg All Family Cereal.
“With Kellogg's MASHUPS Cereal, families have a convenient way to enjoy a delicious mix of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Froot Loops all in one box.”
The new cereal is available in stores nationwide and online at an RRP of $3.99 for a 9.8oz box and $5.69 for a 15.6oz box.
#Top8Free #RoarWorthyFoods
Kubeba is a Denver-based startup dedicated to providing consumers with nutritious snacks that are entirely free from all top eight food allergens (milk, wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish) in addition to sesame, grains, and oats.
The brand’s first product to market is a line of nutrient-dense vegan snack bars that cater to many major dietary restrictions.
Packed with healthy fats and protein, the bars are a healthy alternative to high-sugar protein bars on the market. Each 48g bar is high in fibre, only 200 calories, and contains up to 13g of plant-based protein.
“There’s a gap in the market,” said Emily Foster, chief of operations and recipe developer for Kubeba.
“There isn’t a delicious tasting, low-sugar, high protein and allergy-friendly bar available to consumers. For years, allergy sufferers and those looking to avoid the top eight food allergens have had limited food options that taste great and make them feel good. Kubeba is changing that.“
The brand is launching with three variants: Salted Fudge, Blueberry Ginger and Cinnamon Fig.
“It is our belief that no individual should live in fear that the food they consume will harm them. Nor should they be left to eat foods that are unhealthy or poor-tasting because they are the only option,” said Leighton Kohlmann, co-founder and director of sales.
“Our goal is to provide consumers delicious, nutritious, allergy-friendly foods that they can consume whenever and wherever they desire.”
Individual bars retail at $2.99. 6-pack (12-pack cases are also available) available online from the company.
Honest snacking
Onesto Foods has launches a new gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO cookie line in Whole Foods in the US. The gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO cookies will be rolling out at select locations of the organic grocer.
“I have been a huge fan of Whole Foods for as long as I can remember,” said Jane Ciccone, founder of Onesto Foods.
“Just walking in their doors has always made me feel healthier and inspired. “Now that I have my own food company, it is truly amazing that our products are on their shelves. It’s surreal.”
The handcrafted artisan cookies are available in three flavours – Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon + Sugar and Double Chocolate Chip – and are free of preservatives, chemicals and artificial ingredients.
The woman-owned Canadian startup has a mission to be mindful of its impact on the environment:
- Onesto means ‘honest’ in Italian
- Cookies are baked using solar power
- Packaging is produced using 100% wind energy, printed with 100% vegetable dyes, printed on recycled cardboard and is 100% recyclable.
- 90% of the waste generated during the printing is recaptured and reused in a Waste to Energy Program
- The startup participates in the Forest Stewardship Council
- All extra ingredients and products are donated to local homeless shelters, assisted living centres and farms.
Onesto’s gluten-free vegan cookies and crackers are also available online.
