Our favorite new products of the past month:
Cottage Cheese That Will Make You Flip
New England’s leading dairy brand Hood is rolling out Hood Cottage Cheese Medleys, a line of single-serve, flavor-packed snacks featuring real fruit and crunchy mix-ins. The three offerings are: Blueberry with Crunchy Oat Granola, Pineapple with Honey Roasted Almonds and Strawberry with Graham Crackers and Chocolate Chips.
“We know our consumers are seeking quick, easy, and exciting new ways to add protein into their diets in ways that are satisfying and delicious,” says Lynne Bohan, spokesperson for HP Hood LLC. “Medleys meet that need while being delicious and convenient for any snacking moment.”
Upcycling is increasingly popular among consumers and has been topping the trends lists of retailers like Whole Foods and Kroger. This fueled Stone & Skillet LLC and Upcycled Foods Inc. to join forces in developing Super Grains English Muffin. The Upcycled Certified and Non-GMO product innovation is distinguished by a dough featuring a hearty inclusion of ReGrained SuperGrain+. This upcycled hero ingredient is created from the nutritious grain left over from beer brewing that is packed with plant protein, dietary fiber and prebiotics.
The muffins boast a toasty flavor and a crispy texture on the outside, with a soft and doughy inside. They were created to offer an elevated addition to any breakfast, brunch or snack, and are perfect for those who want to do their part in reducing food waste. The inclusion of ReGrained’s SuperGrain+ fortifies this muffin to be an excellent source of dietary fiber with 6g per serving on top of 6g of protein.
Building Up With Protein-Packed Snacks
Balls are reshaping the protein game with a brownie-like texture and a soft, cream-filled center. Also made with whey and collagen, Balls are debuting in a peanut butter flavor.
Built Krispy -- with a texture reminiscent of a classic candy bar -- takes protein to a new level, offering 20g per serving through an optimized protein formula featuring hydrolyzed collagen and whey protein isolate. Flavors are mint chocolate and peanut butter chocolate.
“This new wave of innovation further demonstrates Built’s ability to be exceptionally nimble with implementing new ideas and creative concepts to best meet the needs of all different kinds of snackers,” says Nick Greer, co-founder and CEO. “Like every product from Built, we intentionally created these unique varieties with our consumers in mind, working to give them delicious, healthy offerings that fit their active, on-the-go lifestyles.”
www.orchidislandjuice.com
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co. has two new perishable juice blends. The Tomato Reishi, Himalayan Salt and Black Pepper Juice is said to be “radical in flavor and low in calories.” The beverage is an infusion of holistic ingredients, including reishi mushrooms, an adaptogen known to support the immune system, reduce stress and improve sleep. The Tangerine, Pineapple, Aloe and Sweet Basil Juice blend contains only five ingredients, all of which support the mind and body with a natural boost and provide a glow from the inside out.
“At Natalie’s, it is our passion and purpose to produce juices that exceed our customers’ expectations both in quality and value,” says Marygrace Sexton, founder and CEO. “Our Tomato Reishi blend is an authentic approach to a nostalgic favorite. Made from fresh pressed, wholesome tomatoes, this juice invigorates the consumer’s palette and redefines the standard perception of tomato juice flavor profile This juice is a living elixir for the epicurious. Drink as is or add your boozy accomplice.”
Convenient Comfort Food
Kraft Heinz Co., which claims to be the makers of America’s favorite comfort food, is bringing heat-and-eat Kraft Mac & Cheese Deluxe to retail freezers. This single-serve meal comes in Original Cheddar and Four Cheese varieties. The products feature perfectly cooked macaroni pasta covered in a creamy, homestyle cheese sauce and topped with real cheddar cheese.
Plant-Based Tuna Swims into Stores
Franklin Farms, a division of Keystone Natural Holdings, has expanded its plant-based product line with the launch of plant-based tuna. The product is said to capture the taste and texture of real tuna without the environmental impacts caused by commercial tuna fishing. It will be rolling out into retail refrigerators this summer in original and jalapeño flavors.
Franklin Farms Plant-Based Tuna is formulated from a blend of plant-based proteins. It is non-GMO and cholesterol-free. A 2-oz. serving contains 10g of protein.
The global plant-based tuna market size exceeded $273.2 million in 2022 and is estimated to grow at more than 4.3% annually over the next 10 years, according to Future Market Insights. Drivers of this growth include growing flexitarian lifestyles, rising cases of seafood allergies and increasing environmental concerns. Furthermore, today’s consumer is more educated about the risks of high mercury and metal levels in traditional canned tuna and are aware of the many health benefits that plant-based foods provide.
“Our plant-based tuna mimics the same bite, texture and flavor as traditional tuna and is unlike any other plant-based offering available in the market today,” says Cindy Wong, vice president of sales. “It is a 1:1 replacement for regular canned tuna but is 100% fish-free and perfect to use for tuna salad, tuna sandwiches, tuna casseroles and more.”
