Applesauce pouch brand expanding on growing demand for healthy, on-the-go snacks.

NEW YORK — GoGo squeeZ, a New York-based brand of squeezable applesauce pouches, has opened an $85 million manufacturing plant in Nampa, Idaho. The new processing and packaging facility is expected to create 250 jobs.

Making its U.S. debut in 2008, GoGo squeeZ is sold in more than 50,000 locations nationwide, including Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Kroger and Whole Foods Market. The product line is Non-GMO Project verified, gluten-free and vegan-friendly with no added colors or flavors. GoGo squeeZ is part of Materne North America, a member of the Boué, France-based Groupemom family.

GoGo squeeZ sources more than 90% of apples locally and manufactures products in the United States. The company opened a manufacturing plant in Traverse City, Mich., in 2011. With the continued investment in the U.S. market, the brand has achieved approximately $200 million in retail sales in the past year.

“The healthy on-the-go snack category continues to grow rapidly here in the U.S., and this new facility was built to be in close proximity to major apple growing regions, allowing us to source the best ingredients for our consumers,” said Michel Larroche, chief executive officer and president at MOM Mont Blanc. “We look forward to working with the Nampa community to further deliver on our mission to provide healthier convenient snack options for families.”