Smaller portions point to consumer interest in health and wellness.
In August, Vital Farms unveiled a new line of single-serve, refrigerated Egg Bites. The breakfast food is the latest ready-to-eat innovation from the Austin-based company, which is known for its pasture-raised eggs and butter.
Made with Vital Farms’ liquid whole eggs, cheese, vegetables and humanely raised meat, the Egg Bites provide a high-protein breakfast that can be ready in 45 seconds. Egg Bites are gluten-free and available in four flavor varieties, including Uncured Bacon & Cheddar Cheese; Roasted Red Pepper & Mozzarella Cheese; Uncured Ham, Bell Peppers, Onion & Cheddar Cheese; and Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Cheese. Each two-pack serving contains 16 to 18 grams of protein, 210 to 240 calories and 5 to 8 grams of carbs.
“People are staying at home more than usual right now and, for many, their days are busier than ever,” said Meghan Shookman, director of Innovation at Vital Farms. “We know a growing number of consumers crave a protein-packed breakfast made with fresh ingredients, but don’t always have the time. Egg Bites are made with the ethically sourced ingredients that we believe consumers love and expect from Vital Farms. They were created with an emphasis on convenience for mornings when there isn’t time to cook breakfast from scratch.”
Epic Provisions, a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., expanded its portfolio of protein snacks in July with the addition of Sriracha Chicken Bites. Made with free-range chicken, the meat snacks are keto, paleo, gluten-free and Whole30 Approved. Each six-bite serving contains 80 calories, 11 grams of protein and 2 grams of total carbs.
“Routines today look pretty different and Epic is here to help,” said Sidd Singhal, brand manager of Epic. “Not only tasty and fulfilling, our new snacks are a good source of protein and can help offer a quick refuel — whether working from home or on-the-go — to help you maximize your day. We’re excited that our new launches have both desired flavors and macros to help bring this benefit to even more people.”
ZENB, maker of organic vegetable snacks, in January launched a bite-size snack that offers one full cup of vegetables per six-piece serving.
New ZENB Veggie Bites are chef-crafted to highlight the flavor of each vegetable, the company said, among other spices and ingredients. To enhance the fiber content and flavor, the USDA certified organic bites are made with whole vegetables, including corn with the cob, beets with the peel, edamame with the pod, sweet potato with skin and red bell pepper with stem and seeds. Varieties include sweet potato, sweet corn, summer beet, edamame and red bell pepper.
The sweet potato variety is made with mango and cinnamon, the sweet corn bites are made with pineapple and cardamom, the edamame offering is made with mango and spinach, the summer beets variety is made with orange and cacao nibs, and the red bell pepper bites are made with tomato and ancho chiles.
“ZENB’s new Veggie Bites offer a wholesome snack with a clean label for people on-the-go and for those who love to graze throughout the day,” said Christiane Paul, chief marketing officer for ZENB. “We continually strive to be a resource for plant-based eating and education, and I believe the introduction of our new ZENB Veggie Bites enhances that mission by giving consumers more product options and a range of flavors to choose from.”
Packaged in resealable pouches of six, ZENB Veggie Bites are available on the company’s web site.
Innovative limited-edition menu items make their debut.
Beverage innovation is on the rise.