Oser Communications Group

22 The Cheese Guide BY LORRIE BAUMANN The cheese stands alone. But sometimes it just likes to sit on a cracker. La Panzanella's Mini Croccantini crackers are drawing attention from cheese and charcuterie companies that are appealing to consumers looking for quality products in a healthier snack. "A lot of cheese companies and charcuterie companies are figuring out how to meet this growing need for healthier snacking," said Steve Lorenz, Head of Marketing for La Panzanella. Mini Croccantini crackers are the smaller, two-bite version of La Panzanella's full-size Croccantini crackers, and they're offered in a growing range of flavors that pair well with cheeses and charcuterie. "Our flavors are nuanced in a way that they're a great carrier for meats, cheeses and dips," Lorenz said. "A number of charcuterie producers are pairing the Mini Croccantini crackers with their meat or cheese product to create healthy and convenient snack packs. Our crackers are so central to their packs that many have designed their packaging to accommodate the distinctive Mini. Some have even added the La Panzanella logo to the front of the package to underscore the quality of the pairing." Over the past few years, La Panzanella's customers have also been asking if the Croccantini crackers were available in a gluten-free variety, only to be told that, sadly, the answer to that question was a no. Early exploration by La Panzanella's product development team to find a gluten-free version didn't pan out. At that time, the company determined that the character of the cracker was indivisible from the wheat from which it's made. Still, the consumer demand couldn't be denied. "Industry research reports that the gluten-free packaged food sector is expected to reach $8.1 billion by 2023, and as the market grows, consumers will demand more variety and tastier options," Lorenz said. "Many people, even if they don't have dietary restrictions choose to include gluten free as part of a healthy lifestyle." With that in mind, La Panzanella continued its research and has just introduced its Gluten-Free Oat Thins in flavors that pick up on tried and true Croccantini flavors, including Roasted Garlic and Rosemary. An additional flavor, Toasted Oat, was selected to mimic the new cracker's oat core ingredient. "Given consumer demand, we didn't give up and after more research and recipe testing, we now have a wonderful gluten-free cracker that meets our high standards. The new Oat Thins are ideal for merchandising in the deli alongside cheeses and meats that the deli manager is showcasing," Lorenz said. "Our Oat Thins cracker is crisp and sturdy to carry cheeses and meats – plus, it has great flavor, and doesn't have a dominant rice or potato flavor like many gluten-free crackers on the market today." Since Oat Thins are designed particularly to appeal to health- conscious consumers who read the package carefully to ensure that they're getting a product that meets their dietary needs, the Oat Thins check a lot of boxes in addition to being gluten free: they contain no preservatives, lactose or cholesterol and they're low in fat and sodium, with 70 calories per five-cracker serving. They're also vegan and kosher parve. They carry the Non-GMO Project Verified and Gluten-Free Certified seals on the front and sides of a package that's designed to be displayed either vertically or horizontally on the shelf. Clear windows in the box display the crackers to drive appetite appeal and let the customer know what they are purchasing. La Panzanella Oat Thins crackers come in 5-ounce cartons that retail for $4.99. The company suggests that the Toasted Oat flavor pairs well with mild blue cheeses or fruit spreads, while the Rosemary Oat Thins are best enjoyed with soft-ripened cheeses and dried fruits. Roasted Garlic Oat Thins pair well with olive hummus and lemon, with goat cheeses or with thinly sliced roast beef. La Panzanella Mini Croccantini crackers come in 6-ounce packages that retail for $4.99. They come in Original, Rosemary, Multigrain, Cracked Pepper, Roasted Garlic, Whole Wheat and Toasted Sesame. "Original is the top seller, because it just goes with everything." Lorenz said. Gluten-Free Oat Thins from La Panzanella

• Cover