Veggie Stix Reformulated

The need to move children toward better eating habits is borne out by a March 2010 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, which found that children are snacking more than ever before on chips, candy and other "junk" food. That increase in snacking, which now accounts for up to 27 percent of daily caloric intake, has occurred at the same time as a rise in childhood obesity, which has put millions of American children at risk for hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

In an effort to provide healthier options, Greensboro, N.C. –based Good Health Natural Products reformulates its Veggie Stix snacks. Through a proprietary process, the company takes a mix of spinach, broccoli, carrots, beets, shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes, turns them into a concentrate and adds them to the original Veggie Stix, in a newly opened, factory in Pittston, Pa.

The process improves the snack by delivering meaningful levels of numerous vitamins and phytonutrients, including 25 percent of the RDA for vitamins A, B6, D, and E, along with vitamins B1 (16 percent RDA), C (24 percent), K (18 percent) and calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, and vitamins B2 and B7, all without changing the taste or price.

Mark Gillis, President and CEO of Good Health Natural Products, says the snack marks a departure—and a revolution for the snack-food industry. Gillis notes that many individuals and families have rightfully sought out natural and organic products, out of concern for their health and well-being. Many have mistakenly believed that these kinds of foods have superior nutritive values. "Organic and naturally produced fresh foods are indeed better for you," says Gillis. "But until now, manufacturers of processed packaged foods have only been able to make their products less bad by making them with less fat, less sodium or by eliminating trans-fats," he adds.

"It's the whole food vegetable concentrates in Veggie Stix that make all the difference," says RD Steve Kinsley. "The concentrates retain the nutrients and the flavors of the vegetables during the cooking process so you get significant proportions of multiple vitamins in one serving of Veggie Stix. It's a much healthier treat than conventional snack foods."

Suggested retail price for a 6.75-oz. bag is $3.99, an 18-oz. bag is $4.99, and a 22-oz bag (Costco only) is $5.49.

Company Information

Website: www.goodhealthnaturalproducts.com