Juicy Water
Tree Top’s single-serve low-sugar Fruit+Water pouches are made with 50% juice — more than many other drinks in the same category. The pouches’ list of simple ingredients includes fruit juice concentrates and water, with natural flavors and vitamin C. They offer real fruit taste with 50% less sugar than average 100% juices, no high-fructose corn syrup, and no artificial colors or flavoring. “Knowing we’re owned by fruit growers, parents trust Tree Top and our quality fruit-based products,” says Brooke Goodrich, senior product manager at Tree Top, a cooperative of nearly 1,000 apple and pear growers. “Tree Top Fruit+Water pouches can give parents peace of mind for healthy hydration on the go without the sugar overload. Kids will love the natural fruit sweetness, not to mention the playful package designs!” A single-flavor carton of eight 6-fluid-ounce pouches retails for a suggested price range of $3.49-$3.99. https://www.treetop.com/
Joy of Cooking
Meaning “joy” in Yoruba, Black-owned Ayo Foods, an authentic line of West African-inspired cuisine developed from family recipes, offers nutrient-dense, flavor-infused frozen meals in a convenient format that, according to the company, will appeal not only to West African Millennials, but also to the growing number of “ethnic explorers” of any background. Initial offerings in the sustainably sourced line are Cassava Leaf Soup, made from slow-cooked ground cassava leaves, chicken and spices; Jollof Rice, long-grain rice spiced and stewed in a flavorful tomato broth with roasted red peppers and onions; and Egusi Seed Soup, consisting of ground melon seeds, fresh peppers, onions and spinach slow-cooked into a savory stew. The suggested retail price for an 8-ounce box of any of the items from Ayo Foods is $5.99. https://ayo-foods.com/
Acid Rocks
Acid League has launched a limited line of bold, flavor-forward Living Vinegars in seven flavors craft-brewed from fresh-pressed fruits and vegetables: Mango Jalapeño, Strawberry Rosé, Garden Heat, Meyer Lemon Honey, Cabernet Port, Apple Cider Maple and Smoked Malt. Taking inspiration from fashion in its approach to capsule collections, the brand has adopted the “drop” mindset and already has a pipeline of weekly innovation that expands into other acid-driven inspirations, among them limited-edition shrubs, dressings and spices. Acid League’s diverse entrepreneurs — two food scientists, a serial entrepreneur, and a wine and sake expert — contend that they can ferment just about anything into vinegar, allowing the brand to quickly create myriad flavor profiles and product offerings that cross categories. Raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered and oxygenated for optimal nutrition, the vinegars can serve as dressings or add kick to food and cocktail recipes. The suggested retail price is $9.99 per 12.7-fluid-ounce bottle. https://www.acidleague.com/
Hot Stuff
Manufacturing company Monogram Foods has entered into a licensing agreement with the Utz and Zapp’s brands to launch a line of frozen take-home hot appetizers, enabling consumers to enjoy their favorite snack flavors in a different form. Kitchen specialists from both iconic brands worked collaboratively to ensure that the flavor profiles of the frozen products matched the unique seasonings of Zapp’s potato chips and Utz Cheese Balls. The line of hot appetizers consists of Zapp’s Boudin Balls, coated with Cajun Crawtator seasoning and including Cajun-style andouille sausage and rice; Zapp’s Fried Pickles, thick crinkle-cut pickles battered with Voodoo seasoning and including an extra packet of the fan-favorite condiment; Zapp’s Pimento Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño Peppers, made with 100% premium Palmetto pimento cheese and coated with Hotter N’ Hot Jalapeño seasoning; and Utz Cheese-Filled Cheese Balls, made to look just like Utz Cheese Balls, down to the color and flavor, but with genuine hot, melty cheese inside. A 14-ounce box of any of the appetizers retails for a suggested retail price range of $5.99-$6.99. http://monogramfoods.com/; https://www.utzsnacks.com/pages/zapps; https://www.utzsnacks.com/ PROGRESSIVE GROCER October 2020
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