MORE
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
MORE PROTEIN, THAT IS — LOCAL NEW COMPANY BANGARANG FOODS CREATES VERSATILE SNACK BY VICKI MARTINKA PETERSEN | PHOTO PROVIDED BY BANGARANG
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pandemic forced him to pivot his business plans, which initially relied on introducing folks to his portable snack with tastings at grocery stores, sports competitions and other community events.
Dale Hastert, founder and CEO of Bangarang Foods, stumbled upon the idea of creating a highprotein pudding. It took a few iterations until the product was commercial ready last year.
Instead, he worked with Dennis Piron, head football coach at Batavia High School. Hastert provided samples to players on the football team as well as kids on a local youth football league Piron also coaches.
Bangarang snacks boast 22 grams of protein in one serving and are gluten-free, according to the Bangarang website. To make the cake, you mix the contents with 1/4 cup water or milk and then follow the package instructions to transform it. “It’s a snack you can eat three ways — a pudding, lava cake or a cupcake,” he says.
Hastert paid it forward by working with students in Piron’s entrepreneurship class at the high school. “The class got a pretty thorough look at how to run a small business,” he says. “For example, I taught them what makes a good product photo and how to make sure it matches the company’s brand identity.”
This kid- and adult-friendly snack food is not only a healthy option, but helps active kids who might be deficient in protein. It comes in four flavors: Cake Smash, Cocoa Loco, Gimme S’more and Cinna-Bomb. “These pudding cakes have as much protein as a quarter-pound of lean meat,” Hastert says.
Students learned about creating a product formula recipe, problem solving techniques, creating a brand identity and story, and running social media campaigns. The class also toured grocery stores to learn how to get a product on the shelves.
ost days it can be challenging getting your kids to eat healthy foods. For one Batavia man, the proof is in the pudding (cake) to help kids — particularly student-athletes — up their protein intake.
To launch his endeavor, Hastert drew upon his background in the natural products industry as well as his skills in supply chain, marketing and distribution. Like many small businesses, the
“It has personally shown me that my dreams are attainable,” says student Kaley in a news release from the company. She adds that she would like to start a food business herself. “The success of your business comes down to your team and passion for what you are doing.”
WANT TO TRY THEM YOURSELF? HERE’S WHERE YOU CAN FIND THESE HIGH-PROTEIN SNACKS: IN STORE ANGELO CAPUTO’S FRESH MARKETS, 622 S. Randall Road, South Elgin (and other Chicagoland locations) BERKELEY FINER FOODS, 28 S. Van Buren St., Batavia BLUE GOOSE MARKET, 300 S. Second St., St. Charles WOODMAN’S MARKET, 151 Hansen Blvd., North Aurora (and other Chicagoland locations) ONLINE AMAZON BANGARANG FOODS, www.bangarangfoods.com, $24.99 for eight
WHERE DID THE NAME COME FROM? “The word Bangarang stands for all things awesome!” the Bangarang website says. “It represents the idea that with imagination, we can transform drab and ordinary into something wonderful.”
DINING & ENTERTAINING JUNE 2021
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