The new year is already buzzing, with Subway dropping Footlong Cookies and sizzling raclette sandwiches, while Pipcorn and Spudsy have joined forces under UpSnack Brands to up the eco-snacking game. Birds Bakery, meanwhile, is making waves with croissant-inspired cinnamon buns and a sleek rebrand; while Stellar Snacks’ vegan pretzels and Popcorn Kitchen’s throwback dessert flavours keep the better-for-you trend rolling strong.
Pipcorn and Spudsy join forces under UpSnack Brands
The snacking world just got a little more sustainable – and exciting. Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks and Spudsy – two brands known for their eco-conscious and creative approaches to snacking – have officially joined forces under the newly-formed UpSnack Brands.
Pipcorn, famous for its Mini Popcorn that landed a spot on Oprah’s Favorito Things list and caught Shark Tank fame, has steadily expanded its portfolio to include Cheese Balls, Corn Dippers, and its latest hit, Pipcorn Fries. The brand’s dedication to using heirloom corn isn’t just about flavour – it’s about preserving agricultural biodiversity.
On the other hand, Spudsy has been carving its path with a mission to ‘save the spud’. By upcycling sweet potatoes that would otherwise end up in landfills due to cosmetic imperfections, Spudsy has turned sustainability into a snackable format with products like Sweet Potato Puffs, Poppers, and Scoops. To date, the brand has saved over two million sweet potatoes.
The newly formed UpSnack Brands will be led by Joe DePetrillo, Pipcorn’s CEO, who sees this as a chance to amplify both brands’ impact.
“This union allows us to deliver great-tasting snacks while investing in sustainability and innovation,” DePetrillo said.
Ashley Rogers, Spudsy’s founder, will transition to lead another venture, Sprinkles CPG, but expressed confidence in Spudsy’s future under UpSnack.
“It’s been an incredible journey building Spudsy from the ground up,” said Rogers. “I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished, and I’m confident that Spudsy will continue to thrive as part of UpSnack Brands.”
With distribution across major retailers like Whole Foods, Target, and Walmart, UpSnack Brands is poised to reshape the snacking landscape, proving that delicious can also mean sustainable.
Subway’s raclette revival
For the 15th consecutive year, Subway is gracing its menus with a seasonal favourite – the raclette – with two new offering.
The Sub Frenchie Raclette Jambon and the Xtreme Raclette Steakhouse are limited-time offerings available until 25 February.
The Sub Frenchie Raclette Jambon features a mix of ham, crispy bacon, and golden potato waffles, topped with melted raclette cheese, pickles, and fried onions. It’s a modern twist on raclette tradition. Meanwhile, the Xtreme Raclette Steakhouse boasts tender Steakhouse beef, caramelised onions, and a generous double layer of melted cheese for a hearty delight.
For dessert lovers, Subway has unveiled the Footlong Cookie, an XXL version of its iconic chocolate chip cookie, perfect for sharing. Additionally, a new hazelnut caramel cookie combines rich flavours with a delicate crunch, making it a must-try winter treat.
Subway’s newest marketing campaign – crafted by Glory Paris and brought to life by cinematographer Adrien Gontier – pairs mouthwatering visuals with a warm winter ambiance. Running across digital and social platforms, the campaign targets Gen Z, ensuring maximum impact.
Birds Bakery plans a transformative 2025
The East Midlands bakery group is gearing up for an ambitious year filled with innovation, expansion, and a deepened focus on customer experience.
January will mark the launch of Birds Bakery’s first-ever range of French pastries, led by a reimagined cinnamon bun crafted with flaky croissant pastry and a rich cinnamon icing. The new recipe – which replaces the hybrid Danish-croissant version – reflects months of development and the company’s commitment to quality.
Rebranding efforts will continue into 2025, building on a year that saw three new-format stores launched, nine locations refreshed, and an updated delivery fleet. Further investment in store designs, new locations, and delivery partnerships is planned to enhance convenience for customers.
Birds Bakery is also expanding its popular BLT (breakfast, lunch and treat) focus – strengthening its on-the-go offerings to meet growing demand. The bakery hosted its first tasting day in 2024 to gather customer feedback, which will guide upcoming innovations.
With 61 stores across the East Midlands and a thriving Birds By Post service for online orders, Birds Bakery is positioned to maintain its cherished community role while embracing modernity.
2025 is set to be an exciting year, said Jamie Bird, director of Strategy.
“Everyone who is a part of Birds – whether that’s in the bakery or the stores – has the same quality and care for the customers. We want every interaction to continue feeling comfortable, convenient and innovative whether that’s visiting a store or shopping online.”
Championing homegrown honey
2025 presents a vital opportunity for UK consumers, retailers and the government to protect the environmentally critical yet often overlooked British bee, a cornerstone of the nation’s biodiversity and rural economy.
With the UK consuming 50,000 tonnes of honey annually but producing only 14% of its needs, there’s an urgent need to shift focus to local production rather than relying on imported honey, much of which is vulnerable to adulteration.
The global $9bn honey market faces widespread issues like dilution with water, cheap sweeteners, and even bees being fed synthetic sugars. Alarmingly, recent reports revealed that 24 out of 25 supermarket own-label honeys are fake, highlighting the risks of prioritising low-cost imports over quality local produce.
Supporting British beekeepers not only ensures impeccable standards but also boosts the rural economy. Brands like The Scottish Bee Company and Black Bee reinvest in biodiversity by creating wildflower meadows that sustain both bees and ecosystems. Scottish Heather Honey, for example, boasts 10 times more manganese than other honeys and high levels of antioxidants, harvested during an intense six-week window.
With consumer awareness growing, 2025 could be the turning point for saving the bees and ensuring a future rich in authentic, homegrown honey. Let’s all do it.
Stellar Snacks expands its footprint
Stellar Snacks has debuted its crave-worthy, vegan-friendly pretzels in Sprouts Farmers Market locations across the US.
Founded by mother-daughter duo Gina and Elisabeth Galvin, Stellar Snacks combines plant-based innovation with creative artistry. Each bag features designs from emerging artists, celebrating self-expression while offering clean, vegan, and non-GMO snacking options.
The new Stellar Pretzel Thins – priced at $5.99 for a 7.2oz bag – are grain-free, AHA Heart Check Certified, and ultra-light, in flavours like Sea Salt, Truffle Pesto, and Bruschetta. For those craving a heartier bite, the 16oz Pretzel Braids, priced at $6.99, bring hand-twisted artisan quality in varieties like Maui Monk Salt, Bold & Herby, and Simply Stellar, which is infused with vegan butter and a pinch of sea salt.
Perfect for New Year’s resolutions, these better-for-you snacks are now more accessible than ever – making them perfect for guilt-free indulgence munched on their own or paired with your favourite spread.
Popcorn Kitchen at the forefront of 2025’s Snack Trends
The UK gourmet popcorn producer is leading the charge in 2025’s hottest food trends. Renowned for its ability to blend nostalgic indulgence with creative innovation, the brand has crafted a lineup of flavours that transport snackers back to their favourite desserts and childhood treats. From Cherry Bakewell and Chocolate Brownie to Lemon Drizzle and Blueberry Muffin, each flavour pays homage to beloved cakes and puddings, while classics like Choc Mint and Choc Orange bring nostalgic chocolate memories to life.
Popcorn Kitchen has also embraced the growing appeal of ‘swalty’ (sweet and salty) and ‘swicy’ (sweet and spicy) flavour profiles. Fan favourites like Sweet & Salt and Sweet & Chilli perfectly capture these trending tastes.
Crunch - the texture of the moment - is another trend the brand nails. Its seasonal creations, including dark chocolate orange popcorn, salted caramel popcorn, and white chocolate popcorn with real raspberries, are not only popular treats but also drive growth in the brand’s gifting range, proving that Popcorn Kitchen is not just keeping up with food trends, but leading them.
ALOHA goes bananas
ALOHA has unveiled its newest protein bar flavour - Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip - which brings the decadent blend of nostalgia and nutrition to the snack aisle.
The vegan and gluten-free bar combines the comforting nuances of banana bread with rich, melty chocolate chips to pack in 14g of plant-based protein and 10g of fibre.
Like all ALOHA bars, it’s crafted with sustainably sourced, real-food ingredients and is free from gluten, dairy, soy, stevia, and sugar alcohols. The protein comes from wholesome sources like brown rice and pumpkin seeds, making it a perfect option for clean, guilt-free snacking.
Priced at $32.99 for a box of 12, Banana Bread Chocolate Chip joins ALOHA’s lineup of nostalgic flavours, including Peppermint White Chocolate, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Caramel Pecan.