Leftovers is our look at a few of the product ideas popping up everywhere. Some are intriguing, some sound amazing and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write about everything that we get pitched, so here are some leftovers pulled from our inboxes.
Blue Diamond embraces Korean flavors with new almonds
Blue Diamond Growers is leaning into a new taste profile with its latest launch.
The company, which claims to be the largest almond producer in the world, is debuting a Honey Butter flavored version of the popular nut only at Walmart through December. The product is inspired by Korean Honey Butter potato chips.
The canned product’s salty and sweet flavors are the result of innovation by Blue Diamond’s taste development team, Maya Erwin, the company’s vice president of R&D, said in a press release.
“Honey Butter Almonds were proudly developed by Blue Diamond’s R&D scientists to create the perfect flavor balance,” Erwin said. “Our goal is to ensure that our consumers never have to search outside our products to find every flavor category they crave.”
Blue Diamond touted better-for-you elements for the snack, including 5 grams of protein per serving and a high concentration of Vitamin E, which is important for vision and overall health according to Mayo Clinic.
The brand uses limited-edition flavors to spark interest in its product portfolio.
The global almond market is poised to be worth $12.57 billion by 2028, according to a Markets and Markets projection. Blue Diamond is headquartered in California, which produces 80% of the world’s almonds.
Honey butter chips, popularized by Korean snacks brand Haitai, rose to viral prominence in South Korea in 2014, and soon gained an international following.
— Chris Casey
Lunchables debuts four new fresh fruit offerings in partnership with Fresh Del Monte.
Lunchables debuts in the produce aisle
Although Lunchables is known for its build-your-own cheesy pizzas, nachos and lunch meat combinations, the Kraft Heinz-owned brand is expanding with a healthier option.
For the first time, Lunchables will be in the produce aisle as the brand partners with Fresh Del Monte Produce on an offering that includes pineapple, clementines, grapes and apples. The product line aims to get kids accustomed to eating fruits, masked by a product and brand they already “know and love,” according to the release.
The product will be available starting this month in select grocery stores in the southeastern U.S.
In the past year, the brand noticed a 500% increase in social media searches for lunch meals with fresh fruits and vegetables. This prompted Kraft Heinz to include Fresh Del Monte’s fruit products alongside their two best-selling Turkey and Ham Cracker Stackers varieties, the release said.
Lunchables started in the mid 1980s as a way to help bologna, which was losing its popularity. It quickly became the face of convenient lunch options for kids.
However, the popular meals lack nutritional value, with the Ham and American stackers having 35% of the daily recommended amount of saturated fat and 32% of sodium, while falling short of the recommended serving of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy.
Until recently, the brand had never marketed itself as a “healthy” choice for a kid’s lunch.
Earlier this year, Lunchables entered schools with options that met National School Lunch Program guidelines. The brand also has focused on reducing sodium, sugar and saturated fat within its products. Most recently it reduced the salt and oil ingredients in its crackers.
— Elizabeth Flood
Swanson portable pouches
Courtesy of Campbell Soup
Swanson rips into portable pouches
Best known for its broths and stocks popular in home kitchens, Swanson is launching Poultry Pouches aimed at the on-the-go consumer.
The offerings are available in three flavors: Original, Garlic Herb and Lemon Pepper. The chunks of diced chicken are precooked and ready to eat, allowing consumers to enjoy them at home, the office, a picnic or as an easy weeknight dinner in a pinch. Swanson Poultry Pouches also resonate with consumers on other popular trends, including being antibiotic free and loaded with protein.
Mieka Burns, vice president for marketing of meals and sauces at Campbell Soup, said in an email that poultry is the on-trend shelf stable protein, outpacing shelf-stable tuna dollar growth.
“We are innovating into that strong level of consumer interest where there is an increased focus on value in today’s economy that has consumers prioritizing quality & convenience – Swanson pouches delivers on each,” Burns said.
Swanson Poultry Pouches will be available nationwide at retailers including Walmart, Target and Dollar General.
Food makers have regularly looked for ways to prepackage offerings consumed predominately in the home into formats that are easier to consume on the go.
General Mills has Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms, Cheerios and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, among other items, in bar form. At Kellogg, Rice Krispies Treats have been a fast-growing extension for the cereal giant, with sales topping $500 million in 2022. And Kraft Heinz announced in May that it has developed a frozen and microwavable version makes its iconic Macaroni & Cheese.
— Christopher Doering