Break the fast with mini treats
Délifrance has introduced its Mini Indulgent Selection of perfectly crafted viennoiserie to capitalise on the growing demand for mini-sized indulgent treats for the breakfast table.
Combining rich butter pastry and generous fillings and toppings, the selection includes the Mini Chocolate Bow Tie, Mini Blueberry Swirl and Mini Mango & Passionfruit Gem.
According to a 2019 Foodservice Vision study, breakfast quality is among the top three most important factors for nearly a third of hotel and café diners, and 78% of consumers would find it more appealing to have more gourmet viennoiserie with original ingredients.
“For hotel guests, luxury and indulgence is the name of the game,” said Stéphanie Brillouet, marketing director for Northern Europe and North America, Délifrance.
“Our new Mini Indulgent Selection is particularly attractive for consumers who are looking for original flavours and more variety in a breakfast spread.
“It’s also an effortless way for hotel kitchens to mirror the latest consumer food trends and demands. With chocolate the fastest growing flavour in pastries, and fruit coming in second place [according to IRI], we could confidently develop the selection knowing that’s what consumers really want.”
Rock my tastebuds
To coincide with the upcoming release of Dreamworks’ Trolls World Tour, Lay’s Poppables bags are getting a makeover that’s as eye-catching as Lady Glitter Sparkles.
Beginning this week at retailers nationwide, the limited edition bags feature the tiny stars of the sequel to the 2016 film – featuring some well-loved faces along with new characters – including Poppy (Sea Salt), Branch (Sea Salt & Vinegar), Tiny Diamond (Creamy Jalapeno), Barb (Honey BBQ) and Delta Dawn (White Cheddar).
Fans are invited to email the on-pack code on Poppables.com to grab the chance to win Fandango tickets to see the movie. One grand prize winner will receive tickets to their very own tailormade ‘World Tour’ of six music festivals being held across the US.
The Trolls-themed packaging began hitting US supermarket shelves earlier this week.
Glyphosate-free
One Degree Organic Foods, a family-owned producer committed to total food transparency, is releasing eight new plant-based products that are 100% free of glyphosate residue and display the BioChecked Non-Glyphosate Certified Seal.
The range is also organic, non-GMO and free of anything artificial – a rarity in the cereal and granola aisle, according to the company.
One Degree has extended its hot cereal line packed in an instant oatmeal pouch format to offer busy consumers an easy-to-cook breakfast or snack option.
Available in four variants – Quinoa Hemp, Super Seeds, Vanilla Pecan and Apple Cinnamon – the nutrient-dense cereals contain sprouted oats and are sweetened with lower glycaemic index coconut sugar. All can be prepared by simply using hot water or in a microwave in under three minutes.
One Degree’s Grain Free Clusters – available in two flavours: Maple Almond and Ginger Cacao – are targeted toward consumers looking to avoid gluten. Both are gluten-free and contain superfoods such as flax seeds, chia seeds, ginger, coconut oil and walnuts, all of which can be traced directly back to the farmer who harvested them.
Finally, the company is extending its line of cold cereals with Sprouted Cacao Flakes and Sprouted Vanilla Puffs. The gluten-free cereals contain a sprouted oat and rice base, meaning they are packed with all the benefits of sprouted grains that help to balance blood-sugar levels and are gentler on the digestive system.
One Degree Organic Foods cereals are available online for an RRP between $8.99 and $5.99.
Celebrating carbs
Angelic Bakehouse has launched a new campaign, aimed to disrupt what consumers have been told about ‘healthy eating’.
The campaign is targeted towards health-conscious carb lovers, encouraging them to ‘work on their BreadBod’ and celebrate ‘carbs with standards and stand against the status quo’.
The producer is also rolling out an entirely new snack line – Angelic Bakehouse Savoury and Sweet Crisps – and a product extension to a firm favourite – Angelic Bakehouse Reduced Sodium Flatzza Crust – in tandem with the campaign.
The fruit, veggie and grain crisps range are sure to appeal to adventurous consumers with their ‘one-of-a kind’ flavours, including Pickled Sweet Onion Beet Crisps, Harissa & Green Chile Sweet Potato Crisps, Tarragon Vinaigrette Fig Crips, Zesty Lemon Blueberry Crisps and 7 Sprouted Whole Grains Crisps. Each pack provides 4g of protein, 3g of fibre and contain only pure, premium ingredients.
According to Angelic Bakehouse, the Reduced-Sodium Flatzza Crusts offers ‘all the pizza, less of the salt’ – containing 50% less salt than its Flatzza Crust – along with all the goodness of sprouted whole grains.
Angelic Bakehouse’s products are available online and in selected retailers for an RRP of $5.99.
Spring scoop
US Foods has unveiled its 25th edition of Scoop featuring products designed to drive competitive advantage for bar-and-grill operators by getting creative with their menus.
Modern diners are seeking bolder flavours, new menu experiences and flexible dietary substitutions, so it’s essential for operators to add new items to the menu and elevating the classics with on-trend ingredients, said the company.
As such, it is rolling out a raft of new products, including Hilltop Hearth Premium Pimento Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Knot – hand-twisted pretzel dough filled with creamy pimento cheese – and Devonshire Bomboloni – fluffy doughnuts that can be used in a variety of sweet (filled with jam or cream) or savoury (used as a burger bun) applications.
“Casual dining growth, including bar-and-grill, has not kept up with the competition of fast casual or fine dining, so it’s more important than ever for neighbourhood bar-and-grill operators to take a fresh look at their menu,” said Stacey Kinkaid, VP, product development and innovation, US Foods.
“With Spring Scoop, we’re making it easy for bar-and-grill operators to update their menu with new twists to their tried-and-true offerings that will appeal to both loyal and new customers. We’re also supporting operators with the right tools to help front-of-house staff sell new menu items and deliver the highest-quality experience every day.”
Gluten-free on-the-go
UK gluten-free and nut-free bakery Davina Steel has launched a range of baked snacks that fills a gap in the market for gluten-free on-the-go snacks.
There are seven snacks in the new range, including crostini in three flavours: Garlic & Rosemary, Onion and Lightly Salted; biscotti in two flavours: Lemon & Poppy Seed and Orange & Choc Chip; shortbread biscuits; and gingerbread mini bites. All the products are made using natural ingredients with no preservatives or chemicals.
The range is accompanied by the bakery’s popular Gingerbread Men, which are decorated in seasonally-appropriate attire for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
“It is often very difficult to find good-quality gluten free snacks when you're out and about,” said co-founder Davina Steel.
“Our new range ticks so many boxes for allergy sufferers and meets the growing demand for out-of-the-home snacking.”
The new Crostini (RRP £1.99 per 60g), Biscotti (RRP £2.75 per 100g), Shortbread Biscuits (RRP £1.99 per 100g), Gingerbread Mini Bites (RRP £1.99 per 100g) and Gingerbread Men (RRP £1.99) are available nationwide from March.
As good as scratch-made
Mason Dixie Foods is debuting two ‘first-to-market’ product lines that it is hoping will shake up the frozen aisle.
The ready-to-baked Scones and Sweet Rolls maintain the same quality as the producer’s award-winning biscuits, made with 100% real ingredients that are free of artificial flavours, preservatives, oils and stabilisers.
The Scones are available in four flavours – Cranberry Orange, Blueberry Lemon, Chocolate Chip and Coffee Cake – sold in a packs of four for an RRP of $4.99.
The Sweet Rolls come complete with a recyclable baking tray and the ‘first icing of its kind’, made without gums or stabilisers. Available in four versions – Cinnamon Rolls, Sticky Buns, Orange Rolls and Strawberry Cheesecake Rolls – in packs of four for an RRP of $4.99.
"While developing these two new product innovations, the Mason Dixie Foods Innovation Team has sought out clean label ingredients, without sacrificing the consumer experience. Real ingredients are everywhere, but not every food manufacturer knows how to use them or is committed to using them,” said Barbara Bufe Heidolph, Mason Dixie Foods’ VP of Innovation and Quality.
“At Mason Dixie Foods we prioritise flavour first, followed by convenience and transparency. We want our products to be as good as the scratch-made delight, with ingredients from the butter to fruit to baking powder that are real, honest and recognisable.”
Available for purchase this spring/summer at select retailers across the US.
Zero sugar protein punch
Country Archer Provisions has launched Zero Sugar Beef Jerky targeted towards Keto, low-carb and low-sugar consumers looking for a protein-filled zero sugar and allergen-free clean meat snack.
The jerky is crafted with gourmet cuts of USDA-inspected 100% grass-fed beef, and is free of artificial preservatives, sweeteners, nitrites, MSG, gluten, antibiotics and added hormones. It also contains 11g-12g of protein.
Country Archer partnered with Will Horowitz – chef patron of Ducks Eatery in New York City – to create the gourmet snack in three sugar- and soy-free flavours, including Spicy Sesame Garlic, Mustard BBQ and Classic.
“Keto, low-carb and low-sugar specialty diets are surging in popularity, building higher demand for recognisable ingredients and sustainable proteins,” said Eugene Kang, co-founder and CEO of Country Archer.
“When we realised there’s currently no zero-sugar, zero-soy, grass-fed beef jerky on the market, we knew we could develop a standout product to meet this incremental consumer.”
All varieties of Zero Sugar Beef Jerky will have an RRP of $6.99 and will hit shelves at Whole Foods Markets in June and Sprouts Farmers Market locations in August, with a national roll out of the Classic and Mustard BBQ varieties in October.
Country Archer’s entire platform of snacks has also been given a new look to make it easier for shoppers looking for clean ingredients. The new design includes a refreshed brand name, Country Archer Provisions, and a simplified logo to better reflect the company’s core values of real ingredients, sustainability and authenticity.
Snack up and fight hunger
34 Degrees is debuting Snaps, a line of baked chickpea snacking thins, available in three savoury varieties: Sea Salt, Everything and Umami.
According to the producer, Snaps are a ‘light and crunchy’ standalone snack that offers a healthy alternative to traditional chips or pretzels. The baked chickpea thins serve up 3gm of protein per serving and are naturally gluten free as well as GMO, dairy and nut free. They are baked with simple ingredients like steamed chickpea flour, making them an allergen-friendly snack option.
“Snaps are bursting with flavours specific for snacking. For example, Umami is a tsunami of deliciousness including savoury, sweet and spicy notes. We’re confident consumers will love Snaps by the handful whether at tailgates, BBQs or just to fulfil everyday cravings for something light, crispy and delicious,” said Craig Lieberman, founder and president of 34 Degrees.
34 Degrees Snaps are packed in resealable 3.2oz pouches and will be available at selected US retailers for an RRP of $3.99 from April. The company donates 1% of all the crisps it bakes to causes that fight hunger.
