KANSAS CITY — Products making their debut on grocery store shelves this week are tapping into trending consumer flavors.
Specialty coffee roaster La Colombe launched its 11-oz draft latte cans nationwide, the first new product released by the company since it was acquired by Chobani for $900 million in December 2023.
The ready-to-drink coffee cans are available in double, triple, mocha, vanilla and caramel flavors, and feature the “texture of a true cold latte, complete with a layer of froth,” according to the company.
“We’re excited to bring La Colombe's 30 years of coffee credibility and mad science together with Chobani's breakthrough dairy expertise, which maximizes the natural sweetness already found in milk,” said Niel Sandfort, chief innovation officer at Chobani. “We have created a perfectly balanced, velvety draft latte with just the right amount of body. It has half the amount of sugar and no artificial sweeteners. This is unparalleled in today's ready-to-drink offering.”
McKee Foods expanded its Little Debbie line-up with birthday cake creme pies. The new flavor of creme pies features white icing, colorful candy confetti and filled with a birthday cake-flavored creme.
The birthday cake flavor is one of the fastest-growing dessert flavor, according to Chicago-based Datassential.
“Our newest creation is inspired by the joy of life's special moments,” said Erica Cunningham, Little Debbie product manager at McKee Foods. “With the birthday cake creme pies, we wanted to continue to capture the essence of celebration, while offering consumers a sweet reminder that happiness can be found in the simplest moments.”
Kraft is taking inspiration from restaurants with its newest creamy sauces line-up.
The new product line includes five different aiolis and sauces and marks the first product launch after Kraft Sauces rebranded and consolidated all sauces, spreads and salad dressings under one brand.
“In today’s world, we know the kitchen can be daunting for at-home cooks as culture holds them to impossibly high standards,” said Kaitlin Roe, brand director, Kraft. “Kraft Sauces aims to show the world that you don’t have to be a professional chef to make delicious food that feels good. With our new Creamy Sauces line, alongside our beloved existing offerings, Kraft Sauces brings restaurant-quality depth, tang, and spice right to the refrigerator — empowering fans to be more adventurous in the kitchen.”
