Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/738477
Convenience Retailer Show Daily 4 3 Friday, October 21, 2016 AWESOME SNACKS FOR AN AWESOME WORLD Snack Innovations Inc., of Brooklyn, New York, is launching a new line of organic snack products: Awesome Organics. The company is debuting two new awesome snacks that are USDA Organic, gluten-free and non-GMO. Awesome Organics Popcorn and Popcorn Chips are 100 percent whole- grain snacks that fit squarely into the bet- ter-for-you category and satisfies your snack craving without the guilt. "We're launching Awesome Organics to meet the ever growing con- sumer demand for delicious and fun to eat better-for-you snacks, and organic food demand is on the rise," said Allen Benz, Chief Executive Officer of Snack Innovations. "We also took a new angle on packaging for the Awesome Organics line, illustrating a more exciting fun-to- eat design, conveying that eating organic snacks can also be fun." The new Awesome Organics packaging does stray from the company's usual elegant and more sophisticated better-for-you graph- ics. The Awesome Organics "This Chip is Awesome" is a 100 percent wholegrain Popcorn Chip made with whole quinoa, flax seeds, chia seeds and sunflower seeds, and is launching in three flavors: Salty Sweet Kettle, Aged White Cheddar and Sea Salt & Olive Oil, and is available in family-size 4-ounce bags and single serve 1-ounce bags. The product contains 22g of whole grains, is USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. "We expect the Salty Sweet Kettle flavor to be the consumers' favorite, although I personally love the plain Sea Salt with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)," Benz said. The Awesome Organics "This Popcorn is Awesome" is a new take on the exploding ready-to-eat popcorn mar- ket. "Affordable USDA Organic Popcorn that's delicious and fun to eat; our pop- corn has 50 percent less fat than the lead- ing brand and tastes better, lighter and crunchier," Benz said. "Our popcorn is truly better-for- you, containing only 35 calories per cup, and only 5g of fat or less per serving compared to 10g of the lead- ing competitors. Like our Awesome Organics Popcorn Chips, our Popcorn is non- GMO Project Verified, Kosher Certified and Gluten Free Certified," he added. The Awesome Organics Popcorn is launching in four flavors: Sea Salt & Olive Oil, Black Pepper & Truffle Oil, Movie Theater Butter and delicious Aged White Cheddar, and is available in fami- ly-size 5-ounce bags and single serve 0.75-ounce bags. Just like all of the Snack Innovations products, the Awesome Organics line is popped; not fried, kettle cooked or extruded, so they're low in fat and calo- ries. They also have no artificial flavors or preservatives and zero MSG and trans fats. "Most consumers today don't want to eat unnecessary calories or fat, and are fans of the popped products because they know they're getting less of the bad stuff and lots more of the good stuff," Benz said. "Awesome Organics is the perfect better for you snack product delivering on both taste and health, and although they're organic, Awesome Organics products are afford- able," Benz added. Snack Innovations is a lead- ing manufacturer of better-for- you snacks, specializing in inno- vative popped products. It pro- duces a wide range of items for the pri- vate label market, and markets many items under several house brands. It is the maker of the Gourmet Basics brand Smart Fries, Slim Chips, Pop Rings and Popcorn, the Eatragous brand Penne Chips, and the new Awesome Organics brand This Chip is Awesome, and This Popcorn is Awesome. "We're constantly introducing new products, giving the consumer more bet- ter-for-you snacking choices, and moms love our innovative and delicious fun-to- eat products," said Benz. For more information, email sales@ awesomeorganicsnacks.com or go to www.awesomeorganicsnacks.com. HAWAIIAN HOST LAUNCHES NEW TROPICAL FRUIT BITES Hawaiian Host ® , Inc. a leading brand and producer of chocolate covered macadamias, has unveiled its newest confectionery creation. This is Hawaiian Host's first product line to include fruit and no macadamia nuts in its 88-year his- tory. The company's new Tropical Fruit Bites™ combines 100 percent real fruit with Hawaiian Host signature milk or premium dark chocolate to create a deli- cious, nutrient-rich snacking option. Featuring three of Hawaii's most beloved flavors — ripe banana, sweet coconut and savory pineapple — each "bite" is bursting with island flavors. "Our product innovation specialists have been hard at work developing the perfect combination of fresh fruit with our premium chocolate, and the result is simply delicious," said Casie McKinney, Hawaiian Host, Inc. Assistant Brand Manager. "With 88 years of proven suc- cess in the confection space, we feel that we're uniquely positioned to introduce an authentic product that perfectly aligns with our brand." Tropical Fruit Bites are packaged in 6-ounce resealable bags, each containing approximately one cup of real fruit, which is half the daily recommended serving size. Hawaiian Host, Inc. acquired Mauna Loa from The Hershey Company in March 2015. The addition of Mauna Loa as a subsidiary brings together two strong legacies, with a combined 157 years of rich Hawaiian her- itage providing authentic, high-quality products to the world. Hawaiian Host will continue to emphasize its chocolate macadamia product, while Mauna Loa, with a 40 percent share in macadamia nut, will focus on its many flavor varia- tions of macadamias, all packed with beneficial nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins that are crucial for optimum health and wellness. Rich in minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc, they're also a fantastic natural source of energy. "Aside from being a delicious snack full of essential nutrients, macadamia nuts add a delectable crunch to just about any dish, from breakfast to a quick family dinner," said McKinney. Hawaiian Host, Inc. is the manufacturer of Hawaii's original choco- late covered macadamias. Mamoru Takitani pur- chased Ellen Dye Candies, a local confectioner since 1927, and renamed the company Hawaiian Host. The secret chocolate recipe developed by Mamoru Takitani using fresh 100 percent whole milk is still used today. Today, Hawaiian Host boasts more than 250 confectionary products sold in more than 23 countries across the globe. Based in Hilo, Hawaii, Mauna Loa is a top processor and maker of macadamia nuts and has a leading share in the macadamia snack nut market.