New product innovation swept the show floor.
Turkish olive oil company Heraclea introduced a line of infused extra virgin olive oil. The tins are available in chili, garlic, rosemary and lemon flavors, which have been formulated with cold-pressed Memecik olives.
“Our new infused olive oils effortlessly enhance and transform everyday recipes into a dish to be celebrated and savored,” said Berk Bahceci, founder of Heraclea. “Each tin shares an enchanting glimpse into my family’s heritage, from the illustrations of the family grove on the outside of the tin to the traditional aromas and tastes from Turkish cuisine on the inside.”
Theo’s Plant-Based is expanding its vegetable jerky brand with the introduction of a sweet potato application. The upcycled snack is available in garlic herb, maple Dijon, miso nori and Korean BBQ flavors. Each bag of the vegetable jerky features two servings of sweet potatoes and 7 grams of fiber, along with nutrients like iron and potassium.
“We're super excited to introduce sweet potato jerky at Expo this year,” said Theo Mourad, co-founder of Theo's Plant-Based. “Our mission at Theo’s is to make it easier than ever for people to eat more organic veggies, and with sweet potato jerky, we’re making a delicious and convenient way to do just that.”
Women-led company Belgian Boys launched two breakfast offerings: griddle pancakes and bite-size Belgian chocolate chip pancakes. Both pancake varieties may be heated in the toaster or microwave, or on the stovetop.
“Our original mini pancakes are a massive hit with my kids,” said Anouck Gotlib, chief executive officer of Belgian Boys. “They love dipping them in chocolate we get from home in Belgium. So, adding Belgian chocolate chips to our bite-sized pancakes was only natural — and you can really taste the richness and quality of our chocolate baked right in.”
In a partnership with Oakland-based food innovation company Voyage Foods, Rudi’s Mountain Bakery debuted peanut-free versions of Sandos.
Sandos are formulated with Rudi’s Country Morning white bread and Voyage’s roasted seed spread. The sandwiches contain 9 grams of protein per serving and will be sold in 4-count boxes of 2.8-oz sandwiches. Initially, two varieties will be available: grape and strawberry.
“When Justin of Justin’s nut butter reached out to me after trying our nut-free spread, I knew we were about to redefine the sandwich category,” said Adam Maxwell, chief executive officer and founder of Voyage Foods. “With over 85 million American shoppers now avoiding purchasing foods with allergens, our team couldn’t be prouder that the Sandos bring delicious taste and health to this underserved community.”
TiNDLE Foods expanded its retail portfolio with the introduction of stuffed chicken pockets and its first dairy product, barista oat milk.
The stuffed chicken pockets, which will be available later this year in flavors like chicken parmigiana and garlic and herb, feature a breadcrumb exterior and a filled center. Additional flavors TiNDLE plans on releasing include Buffalo ranch, katsu curry and tikka masala.
“By introducing more innovative foods into the mix, including our entry into the dairy category, we remain steadfast in our mission to transition toward a more sustainable food system,” said Timo Recker, chief executive officer, co-founder and executive chairman at TiNDLE Foods. “As a multi-category brand, our aim is to continue strengthening the sector and our new product offerings, TiNDLE stuffed chicken and barista oat milk, provide consumers with a variety of delicious plant-based options across numerous aisles and touchpoints within the grocery store.”
Manitoba Harvest is expanding its breakfast portfolio with instant superseed oatmeal, which comes in original, maple and brown sugar and apple and cinnamon flavors. The oatmeal is vegan, kosher, and certified non-GMO, and includes 10 grams of protein and 4 grams of protein per serving.
Lärabar, a brand from General Mills, Inc., introduced a line of trail mix bars, which have a “crunchewy” texture, according to the company. The bars, which are available in peanut butter and jelly, dark chocolate peanut and chocolate coconut macaroon flavors, are the first bars from Lärabar that are made with regenerative almonds.
Country Archer Provisions is adding two products to its portfolio of protein meat snacks: ancestral beef blend meat sticks and pasture-raised bison jerky.
The ancestral beef meat sticks feature a blend of 80% grass-fed beef, 10% beef heart and 10% beef liver, following the company’s mission to “reduce food waste and promote a more responsible food system.” They are available in original and spicy flavors. The pasture-raised bison jerky is available in a smoky original flavor and features 9 grams of protein per serving.
“This year’s Expo West is a monumental milestone for us, as we cement our position as a dominant force in the meat snack category,” said Eugene Kang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Country Archer Provisions. “Our forward-thinking approach and expansive meat snacking platform have earned us recognition, and we’re excited to showcase our latest creations.”
Snacks from the Sea debuted Kelpie Chips, made from sustainably harvested kelp that has been lightly fried and seasoned. The chips are available in flavors like zesty pizza, chipotle and salt and pepper.
“Kelp is one of the most nutritious foods for people and the planet,” said Jennifer Murphy, founder of Snacks from the Sea. “Right now, people are looking for snacks that are made with whole foods that are rich in nutrition and don’t sacrifice flavor. Kelp has a crunchy texture and a hint of umami that delights the palette.”
Snack manufacturer Utz Brands launched Canyon Poppers as part of its Boulder Canyon line, which will be the brand’s first portfolio expansion beyond chips. The corn-based popper is a crispy puffed snack, which is available in white cheddar and jalapeño ranch flavors.
“Thirty years ago, Boulder Canyon was a pioneer in the better-for-you snack category,” said Stacey Schultz, senior vice president of marketing for Utz Brands, Inc. “The launch of Canyon Poppers marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Loyal Boulder Canyon fans now have more ways to enjoy premium products made with avocado oil, and new fans now have even more reasons to try Boulder Canyon’s tasty portfolio of better-for-you snacks.”
Snack’in For You expanded its portfolio with the launch of its line of vegetable puffs. The snacks are gluten-free and contain 4 grams of protein per 1-oz serving. They are available in Buffalo ranch cauliflower, sour cream and onion cauliflower, mesquite barbecue broccoli and cheddar jalapeño broccoli puff flavors.
Direct-to-consumer baby and children’s nutrition brand Little Spoon is expanding its portfolio with the introduction of a new baby snack, Little Spoon Puffs.
The puffs, which are available in organic kale apple curls and organic banana pitaya rings varieties, feature six ingredients and are free from gluten, rice, seed oils, added sugars and the top nine allergens.
“We’ve had our eye on the baby snacking space for a while and I’m thrilled to be launching our new graspable and meltable Puffs,” said Angela Vranich, co-founder and chief product officer Little Spoon. “Not only are our puffs a nutritious snack crafted with organic, best-in-class ingredients, but they were created alongside experts and designed in two unique shapes for self-feeding to support critical fine motor skill development from very first bites.”
Felicia, a new line from Italian company Andriani S.p.A., made its debut in the North American market. The line features 1o better-for-you pastas, including spirulina spaghetti, buckwheat mezzi rigatoni and more.
“Felicia is the perfect embodiment of the rich heritage and culinary expertise that defines Andriani,” said Francesco Andriani, vice chairman and original co-founder of Andriani. “We’re proud to introduce products made with unique, first-of-their-kind ingredients like spirulina that will transform the category as a whole. We have crafted better-for-you pasta alternatives that taste delicious — empowering consumers to choose healthier options for themselves and their families.”
Functional mushroom coffee brand Four Sigmatic introduced a line of organic instant teas at the show. The line features mushroom extracts from varieties like lion’s mane, chaga, turkey tail and reishi. The available flavors, which can be served hot or cold, include think, calm, protect, mood and happy gut.
“We are so thrilled to be expanding our product offerings with our new line of functional instant teas,” said Tero Isokauppila, founder of Four Sigmatic. “It is our mission to help people seamlessly integrate functional mushrooms into their daily routines, and the new teas open the door for even more consumers.”
Sustainability and regenerative agriculture-focused brand GoodSam Foods introduced crispy crunchy pineapple slice chips as part of a new dried fruit line. The regeneratively grown pineapple is slow baked into chips, with no oils, added sugars, artificial flavors or preservatives.
“GoodSam continues to set an example of leadership in the sustainability and regenerative agriculture space with a keen focus on creating more easily accessible, delicious products that contribute to a more mutually beneficial, productive global food system,” said Heather K. Terry, founder and chief executive officer of GoodSam. “We are excited to give Expo attendees a chance to try our newest products while learning more about what is at the core of our business: caring for the planet and people through food.”
Jun
2024
Spring has sprung—with new sandwiches.
Category innovation is focusing on health, occasions and functional ingredients.