Tasty salad toppers; Sun-dried tomato bruschetta; Spoonable smoothies

Sun-dried tomato bruschetta
Catering to consumers’ preferences for all-natural spreads and conveniently packaged snack foods, California Sun Dry Foods has introduced Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta, a new appetizer that responds to the growing interest in elevated snack platters.

“We’re excited to expand our segment in the produce category,” says Charles Olin, vice president of sales and marketing at Saco Foods, which acquired California Sun Dry earlier this year. “We’ve come up with a recipe that meets shoppers’ snacking needs, making it easy to enjoy a fast and healthy bite or serve to a crowd.”

Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta comprises fresh tomatoes, diced onion, a zesty herb blend, and the company’s signature sun-dried tomatoes. It is the company’s first ready-made appetizer, adding to a product portfolio that includes jarred and bagged sun-dried tomatoes, sauces, and spreads.

The bruschetta is adaptable in the kitchen for a wide variety of uses and is available at supermarkets and mass retailers for a suggested retail price of $4.49 for a 9-ounce jar.

Tasty salad toppers
Calbee North America has introduced Harvest Snaps Salad Toppers Green Pea Crisps. With farm-picked green peas as the No.1 ingredient, the product delivers what salad enthusiasts have been seeking for years: a topper with a crispy crunch that is not too hard, comes in vibrantly delicious flavors, and provides a natural source of plant protein and gluten-free fiber.

Clocking in at only 30 calories per serving, the baked topper is also vegetarian friendly and completely free of artificial flavors, colors, cholesterol, and common allergens like soy, nuts, wheat, and eggs.

Designed to take greens from “ho hum” to “oh wow!”, Harvest Snaps Salad Toppers are available at select retailers in Garlic Butter, Italian Herb, and Chipotle varieties for a suggested retail price of $2.99 for a 3-ounce resealable bag.

Spoonable smoothies
Dole Packaged Foods recently unveiled its latest product offering, Dole Spoonable Smoothies. Launching in two flavors—Dole Whip Spoonable Smoothies Pineapple Banana and Dole Spoonable Smoothies Strawberry Banana—the smoothie bowls can be enjoyed as a delicious breakfast or snack.

“What began as a trend with açai bowls has translated into a broader smoothie bowl trend. We’re seeing them pop up all over Instagram and Pinterest as consumers hunt for a delicious new take on fruit for breakfast,” says Erin Fasano, director of marketing, frozen, at Dole Packaged Foods. “Recognizing consumer demand for a delicious, no-prep, no-mess smoothie option, we developed Dole Spoonable Smoothies to serve that need.”

Inspired by the enthusiasm for creamy, pineapple soft-serve, Dole Whip Spoonable Smoothies Pineapple Banana features a thick and creamy smoothie base that’s topped with pineapple, crunchy honey oat granola, and coconut shavings, with only 180 calories per serving.

Dole Spoonable Smoothies Strawberry Banana blends strawberry with banana for a light and fruity base topped with the crunch of toasted granola. A classic flavor combination, the smoothie weighs in at just 170 calories per serving.

From freezer to spoon, Dole Spoonable Smoothies thaw in 35–40 minutes on the counter, or just 30 seconds by microwave. Both varieties are available in the frozen food aisle at select grocers for a suggested retail price of $3.59.