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.
Nestlé is bringing the chip trifecta to consumers
The food and beverage giant is launching Nestlé Toll House Triple Chip Mix this month. The new bags are filled with a blend of premixed morsels of white, semi-sweet and dark chocolate. The product was created to allow bakers more creativity with recipes in their kitchens.
Nestlé said the Triple Chip Mix can be incorporated into cookies, folded into cakes, sprinkled into a trail mix and melted and drizzled over sweet treats.
“We’ve been helping fans bake memories in the kitchen for more than 80 years, and this summer we want to encourage creativity no matter how you make, shape or bake cookies,” Melanie Knoke, senior marketing manager of Nestlé Toll House, said in an email to Food Dive.
Best known for its iconic chocolate chip creation, Toll House has brought its popular offering to other innovative launches throughout its 90-year history, most recently with a series of limited-time offerings.
Last year, Nestlé introduced Caramel Flavored Morsels, and Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow Flavored Morsels. And in November ahead of the holiday season, it debuted the Cookie Shot Kit — a chocolate chip cookie on the outside and melted chocolate morsels coating the inside.
The Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookie was first invented in the 1930s at the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts. According to the food manufacturer, Ruth Wakefield cut up a Nestlé Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar to add to her cookie recipe. It proved to be a success because instead of melting, it just softened
– Christopher Doering
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Permission granted by Campbell Soup Company
Snack that smiles back turn up the heat
Goldfish Crackers is hopping on the briny bandwagon, and unveiled its new limited edition Spicy Dill Pickle cracker on Tuesday. The new offering features a tangy dill pickle flavor with the spicy kick of red chili peppers.
“Overwhelming demand on social media and even a petition for a pickle flavor fueled the creation of our new Spicy Dill Pickle cracker,” said Janda Lukin, senior vice president and CMO of Campbell’s Snacks, in a statement. “Fan passion for new Goldfish flavors is a constant source of inspiration for us.”
Between 300 million pickle related posts on TikTok and a GrubHub report revealing that 53 million Americans are requesting extra spice in their foods, the Campbell brand is launching its product into a hot market.
Many other brands have been capitalizing on the pickle craze. Recent briny launches include Heinz Pickle Ketchup, Frank’s RedHot Dill Pickle hot sauce, Spritz Society Pickle Spritz by Claussen, Dill Pickle Slim Jims, Hidden Valley Pickle Ranch, among others.
This is only the second time that one of Goldfish’s limited-time offerings has launched without a brand partnership, according to the release, and is relying on popular demand to drive awareness of the new product.
Previously, Goldfish released Goldfish OLD BAY seasoned crackers with Frank’s Red Hot, Goldfish Hello Kitty strawberry shortcake flavored grahams and Goldfish Elf maple syrup flavored grahams.
A recent survey from investment banking firm Piper Sandler found that Goldfish still holds major relevance among Gen Z teenagers, with three times as many respondents listing Goldfish crackers as a preferred snack to Takis.
The crackers can be found for a limited time in select retailers starting this month.
– Elizabeth Flood
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Courtesy of Kellanova
Kellanova’s Nutri-Grain gets ahead of the “hanger” curve
Beng “hangry,” a term coined to describe the crossover between feelings of hunger and anger, is a common feeling among the masses, according to Kellanova.
The food giant’s new product from its Nutri-Grain brand, Power-Fulls soft-baked oat bites, looks to combat the uncomfortable feeling with a protein and whole grain packed snack.
The hashtag #hangry has over 1.2 billion views on TikTok, and the Chicago company is looking to capitalize with the new offering, and hiring a hangry enthusiast to feature the oat bites in social content.
Power-Fulls are being offered in strawberry and chocolate and contain protein as well as eight grams of whole grain, the company said.
As consumers increasingly seek better-for-you options, more companies are packing nutrients like protein into offerings.
Kellanova also recently launched its Eggo Fully Loaded Waffles, which contain 10 grams of protein in each two waffle serving. The snacking company is continuing to look to boost the value-add and better-for-you attributes of its household name food items.
To celebrate the launch of its new oat-bites Nutri-Grain is conducting a nationwide promotional contest in search of a “Head of Hanger Management” — an individual who “excels” at preventing “hangriness” before it happens, the company said in a statement.
Nutri-Grain will select one customer to receive $20,000, plus a year’s supply of Nutri-Grain Power-Fulls. Along with the title, the selected candidate will join forces with the company to produce social content highlighting their best hanger management tips, and help brainstorm Nutri-Grain product innovation ideas that further combat the uncomfortable feeling.
“We want to reward our first-ever Head of Hanger Management for their prowess and share their hanger prevention tips and tricks with the masses,” said Eileen Flaherty, brand marketing director at Kellanova.
Applications close on June 14, and consumers can enter by demonstrating their “personality and creative solutions for tiding over hangry friends or family members.”
A winner will be selected on July 1.
“Nutri-Grain has been families’ go-to breakfast bar for over 30 years. Now with Nutri-Grain Power-Fulls, we’re providing a simple protein-backed solution to prevent hangriness before it strikes, no matter the time or place.”
Kellanova joins other companies looking to reward customers for embodying its brand message.
Earlier this year, Olipop, a better-for-you soda brand, posted a “Dream Job Alert,” where the company was looking for a duo to travel around the U.S. and create content featuring the sodas.
The job responsibilities included “spreading Olipop’s joy of soda by sharing your experiences with locals and also spreading awareness about the unique qualities of OLIPOP.”
– Elizabeth Flood
