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.
Hormel brews craft… chili?
Meat giant Hormel is combining two Super Bowl staples for a spicy new drink.
The company announced a beer inspired by its chili cheese dip:, Chili Cheese Brew, made in collaboration with Modist Brewing Co., a Minnesota-based brewer. The lager contains barley malt and flaked corn, which the company said gives it a “chip-like” base, along with spices and cheddar cheese powder to tap the chili dip flavor.
Hormel is selling four packs of the limited-time beverage on its website for $24.
In past years, the meat processor has used the big football game — which will be Feb. 12, — to promote its flagship chili products in new ways. Last year, the company held a contest to give away a keg full of its chili cheese dip on the week of the Super Bowl.
Other brands have used the likeness of their popular savory food products for limited release drinks in the craft beer space. In 2018, Planters’ then-owner Kraft Heinz brought its peanut flavor to an IPA. And in 2020, French’s Mustard debuted an unconventional yellow-colored brew with the flavor of the condiment.
Despite being a prime day for snacking and alcohol consumption, 2023 Super Bowl parties could be impacted by ongoing inflation of food prices. Last year, Big Game party snacks were 8% to 14% more expensive than 2021, according to Wells Fargo analysts.
— Chris Casey
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Courtesy of Duncan Hines
Dolly Parton and Duncan Hines bring new baked goods to the kitchen
Is there anything that Dolly Parton cannot do? America’s favorite Dolly and Duncan Hines have expanded their lineup of popular baking mixes.
The new products under the Conagra-owned brand include a cornbread mix, biscuit mix and two brownie mixes inspired by some of Parton’s family recipes, according to the press release.
“I knew Duncan Hines and I were bringing something special to the baking aisle when we launched our partnership last year, and I’ve been thrilled by the response,” Parton said in the press release.
While the products are now available in stores, Duncan Hines is also selling Dolly Parton’s Baking Collection — a limited edition kit with exclusive items — on its website for $40 starting Feb. 8. This collection contains all of the new baking mixes, along with a collectible tea towel, spatula and cards with some of Parton’s favorite recipes, including Cheddar Chive Biscuits and Peanut Butter Brownie Skillet Sundae.
Parton has parlayed her popularity into a variety of food products in recent years. The Duncan Hines baking line first debuted a year ago, with Southern Style Coconut and Southern Style Banana cake mixes and Creamy Chocolate and Creamy Buttercream frostings. In 2021, she collaborated with Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams on a Strawberry Pretzel Pie flavor, which relaunched in 2022 after it initially sold out in minutes.
— Rose Palazzolo
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Courtesy of Sara Lee
Veggies and white bread, a match made by Sara Lee
Parents are constantly trying different ways to sneak veggies into their children’s food. There have even been whole cookbooks focused on just this idea. Grupo Bimbo’s Sara Lee is proposing a solution, at least for those kids that like white bread.
With the company’s latest addition to its lineup of products – Sara Lee White Bread Made with Veggies – parents can feel like they are giving their kids better nutrients in their lunch boxes. Each loaf has the equivalent of one cup of veggies and is fortified with vitamins A, D and E.
“We know that mealtime can be a battle with picky eaters and little ones that aren’t exactly in love with vegetables,” Jinder Bhogal, senior brand manager at Sara Lee Bread said in a press release.
According to the ingredients, the bread has dehydrated carrot, butternut squash, sweet potato and tomato vegetables baked in.
Sara Lee is not the first brand to incorporate hidden vegetables in a kid-friendly food choice. Kidfresh, a child-targeted frozen brand, makes a products ranging from macaroni and cheese to waffles that add “secret” vegetables. Caulipower has built a brand around using the vegetable to make items from pizza crust to chicken nugget breading. And smaller brands have tried to use everything from ice cream to cookies as platforms for vegetable delivery.
— Rose Palazzolo
— Megan Poinski contributed to this report.
