Artisan Heat-and-Eat Sandwiches
Red's All Natural | Burritos and Breakfast Sandwiches
During the summer of 2024, Red’s will be rolling out a range of frozen hand-held meals designed for gourmet eating on the go. While marketed for the breakfast daypart, these protein-packed sandwiches can be enjoyed any time of day after a quick warmup in the microwave.
The ciabatta sandwiches feature either sage-flavored turkey sausage or maple syrup-infused chicken sausage, fluffy cage-free eggs and a slice of melted cheese. The English muffin range has either a seasoned pork or turkey sausage patty, a cage-free egg patty and a slice of American cheese layered on a wheat bun. There’s also a croissant with turkey sausage, cage-free eggs and cheese, as well as the gluten-free Egg’wich, where the egg patties function as the “bun” to deliver chicken maple sausage and cheese. The sandwiches are individually wrapped and come two to a box.
Plant Protein Cookie Mixes
Fresh off the success of its popular PB2 Pantry baking mixes, PB2 Foods has created another gluten-free option: PB2 Pantry Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix. The mix contains only simple and recognizable ingredients, including peanuts, sugar, vegan chocolate chips, sodium bicarbonate, natural flavors, cocoa and salt.
Like all PB2 Pantry products, the new cookie mix starts with roasted peanut flour in place of wheat flour. One cookie provides 4g of plant-based protein and 100 calories, when prepared according to directions. Instructions say to use an egg and oil. For vegans, mashed banana may be substituted for the egg. PB2 Pantry comes inside a resealable jar, with a half jar yielding approximately 10 cookies. A 16-oz. jar sells for $11.99.
Plant-based Complete Nutrition for Littles
Else Nutrition introduces Else Kids Plant-Powered Complete Nutrition Shakes, a line of shelf-stable, ready-to-drink protein beverages designed to support healthy growth and development of children two years and older. The dairy- and soy-free shakes contain more than 85% whole food ingredients, including almonds, buckwheat and tapioca. The product is marketed as being minimally processed for maximum nutrition--as nature intended—and is clean label certified with no corn syrup, gums, gluten or fillers. One 8-oz. drink box provides 8g of plant protein and 25 essential vitamins and minerals.
They come in chocolate and vanilla flavors. A four-pack sells for $9.99, while a 16-pack sells for $37.95. Globally patented Else Nutrition began with baby and toddler products and has since grown to include older kids. The expansion promises to provide families with kids of all ages the ability to adhere to a healthy lifestyle with a minor ecological footprint.
Sustainably Sourced Ice Cream
Alec’s Ice Cream, known for being made with A2/A2 dairy and sustainably sourced ingredients, debuts nine new premium craft ice creams, growing its range to 14 flavors, all of which are gluten free.
Some of the new options are Maple Cardamom Candied Pecan (Regenerative Organic Certified maple syrup, roasted sweet and salty candied pecans with a touch of cardamom), Meyer Lemon Cookie (organic Meyer lemon ice cream, sweet lemon curd swirl and crunchy lemon cookie) and Nutty Butter Brittle (Regenerative Organic Certified salted almond butter swirled into browned butter ice cream with pieces of crunchy almond brittle). There’s also Palm Springs Banana Chocolate Date Shake, which is an ice cream twist on Palm Springs’ famous Date Shake. It features Regenerative Organic Certified bananas with sweet dates, cinnamon and dark chocolate chips.
The new flavors come on the heels of Alec’s Ice Cream being named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
Innovations in Grains
The bakers at Flowers Foods Inc. have been busy with numerous new products rolling out under the company’s many varied brands. Nature’s Own is introducing Keto Soft White Buns with only one net carb per serving, and Perfectly Crafted Flatbreads in white and garlic flavors. There are also new smaller loaves (12 oz.) of the brand’s ancient grain and homestyle sliced breads.
Dave’s Killer Bread is rolling out Amped-Up Protein Bars containing 10g of protein per bar. Flavors are blueberry almond butter, double chocolate coconut and peanut butter chocolate chunk. The brand also now offers dinner rolls made with its signature 21 whole grains and seeds blend.
The Wonder brand is now more than sliced bread. It can be found on bagels and English muffins. On the sweet side of grain-based goods are gluten-free Canyon Bakehouse cinnamon raisin bread, Tastykake apple cinnamon honeybuns and Mrs. Freshley’s Hershey’s mini muffins.
“The breadth and scope of our newest launches are a testament to our continued focus on innovation and the growth of our leading brands,” said Mark Courtney, chief brand officer at Flowers Foods. “Our new products have been developed to meet the latest market trends and preferences, offering consumers more choice while driving additional value for our customers and our business.”
High-protein Cereal
Ghost, a lifestyle brand of sports nutrition products, energy drinks, dietary supplements and apparel, is entering the mainstream food sector with high-protein cereals. The line was developed in partnership with the cereal gurus at General Mills Inc.
The Marshmallow variety includes the iconic Lucky Charms marshmallows and provides 17g of protein per serving. Peanut Butter provides 18g of protein and only 6g of sugar per serving. Both cereals are also a good source of calcium and are designed to help consumers keep nutrition goals on track from morning to night. The suggested retail price per box is $9.99.
“It’s no secret that consumers are looking for more protein choices these days and the Ghost team has a reputation for disrupting the performance nutrition space with flavors that go beyond the basic chocolate or vanilla,” said Nicole Ayers, cereal business unit director at General Mills. “As we look to meet consumer needs in a variety of ways across our portfolio, we’re excited to combine our category-leading expertise with the strength of Ghost’s brand to bring their passionate consumers an offering in the cereal aisle.”
