Real Fruit Snacks; Complete Protein Pasta; Coconut-Accented Beer
NEW PRODUCTS
Real fruit snacks
Packed with one full serving of fruit per packet, KIND’s new kid-friendly Fruit Bites are made by simply pressing multiple kinds of fruit together. This processing method allows KIND to hold the snacks together without the need for traditional binders, and they do not contain any added ingredients, including sweeteners of any kind.
“KIND is recognized as a health and wellness leader, so we often talk to our retailer partners about bringing healthier, more nutrient-dense foods to new categories. One area we’ve continued to see as we analyzed the marketplace and hear about in our conversations with retail partners is the health outage in a variety of kids-focused food categories,” says Jon Lesser, senior director of marketing at KIND. “KIND is rated one of the most trusted brands by Millennials, and as this demographic grows older and starts to have families of their own, we want to provide them with a nutrient-dense option for their children to enjoy.”
The dairy- and gluten-free snacks follow the introduction of the company’s Pressed by KIND bars, a line of fruit and veggie bars in sophisticated flavors like Apricot Pear Carrot Beet and Mango Apple Chia. Fruit Bites come in three flavors—Strawberry Cherry Apple, Mango Pineapple Apple, and Cherry Apple—and are available for a suggested retail price of $4.99 for a five-pack.
Complete protein pasta
Modern Table Meals announced the relaunch of its protein-packed pastas and meal kits, which have been reformulated to include 16–20 grams of complete protein through a blend of lentils, rice, and peas containing all nine essential amino acids.
“As we’ve grown and gained traction with Millennials and fitness-conscious consumers, one question we kept hearing was, ‘Is your product a complete protein?’ Being made purely from lentils, while healthy and delicious, we could not claim our pastas as a complete protein. When we made the decision to reformulate the entire product line we had two goals—we wanted to create a complete protein pasta that also had improved pasta texture,” says Jennifer Eiseman, senior brand manager at Modern Table Meals. “Our new complete-protein pasta … now contains all nine essential amino acids for long-lasting energy, good digestion, and improved muscle health.”
The company’s offerings include rotini, penne, and elbows ($3.49); three mac and cheese kits ($2.49–$2.99); and six meal kits ($4.99). Kit flavors include Creamy Garlic & Herb, Sundried Tomato Basil, and Cheddar Broccoli, and the mac and cheese line includes Three Cheese and Jalapeño Cheddar. Each variety is non-GM and gluten-, nut-, and soy-free. The pastas will be available in Target and Whole Foods stores nationwide beginning this summer.
Coconut-accented beer
United States Beverage recently introduced Malibu Beer, a golden lager with a hint of natural coconut that measures 5% alcohol by volume. Drawing on the popularity of the brand’s coconut-flavored Malibu Rum, the beer’s creators intend this product to appeal to consumers looking for a mainstream lighter-bodied beer that is still big on flavor.
“Research confirmed that a beer that embodies the flavor and fun personality traits of the Malibu brand is an innovative concept that appeals to the U.S. beer consumer,” says vice-president and general manager Justin Fisch.
The beer, which will debut in Miami, San Diego, and Lansing/Ann Arbor, Mich., is imported from the Caribbean. It will be sold in six-packs for a suggested retail price of $8.99–$9.99.
KIND was inspired by the success of its Pressed by KIND fruit and vegetable bars to introduce Fruit Bites, an all-fruit snack for kids.
All of Modern Table Meals’ pastas and meal kits are complete proteins, meaning they contain all nine essential amino acids.
A new beer from the makers of Malibu Rum is intended to appeal to beer drinkers looking for a light but flavorful brew.