Plant-based protein
This week’s notable new products saw brands delving deeper into plant-based protein options, launching better-for-you versions of indulgent treats and celebrating birthdays with cake-flavored spreads. Check out this gallery for new items from Hodo and Oat Haus as well as the first products to come from newly launched brands Mooski and Green Fork.
The processing arm of Boskovich Fresh Food Group, Fresh Prep announced this week the debut of Green Fork, a new line of salads, leafy greens and other packaged vegetables. The line was designed to bring “a new personality and an elevated, youthful edge to the pre-packaged category,” said Deep Silver, senior director of marketing at Fresh Prep, and caters to consumers’ increased desire for pre-packaged produce. Products available at launch include Slammin’ Sesame Salad Kit; Garden Party salad blend; pre-packaged herbs Cilantro Pronto and Curiously Curly Parsley; and Bae-Bae Bok Choy.
As part of the company’s belated “birthday” celebration, spread brand Oat Haus has released a new vegan, nut-free Birthday Cake flavor inspired by boxed vanilla funfetti cake mix, available on the brand’s website for $12.95 a jar or part of larger bulk backs or “build a box” offerings.
Wicked Kitchen is launching its first U.S.-exclusive line with the launch of lupini bean-based ice cream pints. This launch, which will roll out in 2,200 Kroger stores and Kroger banners, includes Vanilla, Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough pints; Chocolate & Almond and Berry White stick pops; and Chocolate & Red Berry cones.
New brand Mooski wants to rethink a classic snack with the launch of its new line of chilled granola bars. Available in five flavors – Peanut Butter Banana, Chocolate Peanut Crunch, Wild Berry, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and Apple Cinnamon – the bars are now available in the San Diego market. Each bar has a soft, overnight-oats-inspired texture and then is coated in a chocolate shell.
Zero-waste brand west-bourne is expanding beyond its existing offerings of snacks, spices and breakfast options with the launch of two new avocado oils. Offered in a cooking oil and a finishing oil, the 750 ml avocado oils retail for $40 and $45, respectively, exclusively on the brand’s website.
Popcorn brand Opopop has released wasabi flavored popcorn kernels as a new limited-time offering. Available in a 320g bag for $13.99 on the company’s website, the popcorn uses Opopop’s distinctive “flavor wrapped” technology to season every kernel and ships with a pair of gold-coated, metal “popsticks.”
Seeking to further build its assortment of gluten-free and no-sugar-added pantry staples, Eat Happy Kitchen this week released a line of organic spice blends based on recipes from the Eat Happy cookbook series: BBQ Dust, Taco Seasoning and The Dill Ranch Seasoning.
Plant-based protein brand Hodo has launched a new All-Day Egg Scramble at 1,500 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market and Natural Grocers. Utilizing a base of organic, non-GMO soy, the microwavable heat-and-eat product has as much protein as a chicken egg, the brand claims.
To complement its classic canned chili options, Hormel has released a new plant-based chili made with beans, plant-based protein and soy crumbles. Though the company did not disclose the producer of these ingredients, it has partnered with plant-based protein company Better Meat Co to develop and launch new products for Hormel brands. The plant-based chili will retail for $2.07 to $2.60 per can and is sold on Amazon.
Building on its line of ready-to-eat brownies, bread, baguettes, and tortilla wraps, bakery brand Eat Me Guilt Free will now also sell Vanilla and Chocolate cake mixes. The brand sources the mix’s ingredients from Europe because of “more stringent regulations against food additives,” it noted in a release. Sold on Eat Me Guilt Free’s website for $9.99 per box, the finished cakes contains 11 grams of protein and six grams net carbs per serving.
Expanding on its Botanicals line, functional food brand Emergen-C has launched new gummies and powders with ashwagandha and apple cider vinegar. The Ashwagandha options are designed to help with stress, which is closely tied to immune health, the brand said in a release. Like other Emergen-C supplements, all three products contain 250 mg vitamin C per serving, zinc and manganese.
