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.
From pints to the polls
The cult favorite ice cream brand from Vermont is gearing up for election season with its latest launch.
Ben & Jerry’s new flavor Churn Out the Vote is a limited time offering made with pretzel swirls, fudge chips and chocolate mousse ripples in vanilla ice cream.
The brand is collaborating with Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, an organization that aims to spark momentum ahead of the presidential election this November, particularly young voters and people of color.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to once again join Black Voters Matter in support of their work to ensure that those who will be most impacted by the policies of the next administration vote and that their vote is counted,” Palika Makam, activism manager at Ben & Jerry’s U.S. said in the press release. “When young people and people of color are voters, we all win.”
Ben & Jerry’s has long been known for its outspoken left-wing views, which have caused disputes with its current parent company Unilever, notably with its decision to divest its business in Israel in 2021. In March, Unilever announced it will spin off its ice cream business by the end of 2025, a move that will distance the CPG giant from the Cherry Garcia ice cream maker.
The brand has used new product launches to promote activist causes. In 2022, Ben & Jerry’s collaborated with activist confectioner Tony’s Chocolonely on an ice cream flavor and chocolate bar to call attention to child labor and slavery in the chocolate industry. That same year, the ice cream brand collaborated with director Ava DuVernay on a flavor to promote greater representation of women and people of color in the film industry.
— Chris Casey
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Courtesy of Goodles
Goodles dances around deluxe mac ‘n cheese flavors
The brand that reimagined boxed mac and cheese with better-for-you ingredients looks to bring more nutrition with less preparation in its new deluxe line of products.
Ched Over Heels is reminiscent of the “squeezy-cheese mac you grew up with,” the company said, while Shell We Dance features a rich and silky aged white cheddar sauce over shell pasta.
The Goodles brand launched in November 2021, born from the idea that mac and cheese is a cornerstone of pleasurable eating and loved by all ages, yet often lacks nutrition and crave-worthy taste. The Santa Cruz, California-based company uses a proprietary noodle recipe and includes protein, fiber, prebiotics, and 21 nutrients from plants in its recipes.
The deluxe product line requires no added milk or butter, and starts with real shredded cheddar cheeses.
“There are people who love regular boxed mac ’n cheese and there are people who love easy-squeezy mac ’n cheese,” said Molly Michet, chief product officer at Goodles.
“The thick and creamy, gleaming and luxurious, coat-your-tongue, ‘deluxe’ mac and cheese format is beloved by so many. But too often it’s a guilty pleasure,” that is seldom cooked, eaten sparingly, saved for special occasions or abdanoned for healthier food options, Goodles co-founder and CEO Jen Zeszut said about the inspiration behind the new offerings.
— Elizabeth Flood
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Courtesy of UP, Inc.
Upcycling leader brings beer ingredients to bread
Up, Inc. is teaming up with Atoria’s Family Bakery for a sustainable spin on a classic Indian baked good.
The upcycled foods company and bakery are launching Mini Upcycled Naan, which is made with flour derived from spent barley, wheat and rye that was leftover from beer production.
Up, Inc. CEO Dan Kurzrock said in a statement the product was designed to deliver on flavor, nutrition and sustainability.
“Our Upcycled Food Lab team loved partnering with the forward-thinking leadership at Atoria’s to support this innovation from ideation through launch and are so excited for consumers to finally be able to get their hands on them,” Kurzrock said.
The new product is available online and at select stores, including Albertsons and Safeway in the Southwest region of the country.
Naan is a flatbread native to Indian cuisine, popular with dishes, such as butter chicken and chana masala. Indian-inspired food and beverage products are one of the fastest growing segments in America’s food industry, particularly with more adventurous Gen Z consumers.
Up, Inc. — which seeks to lower food waste by using leftover ingredients in new food items — is best known for its ReGrained SuperGrain flour, deriving from the beer making supply chain that is used in a variety of items from crackers to pizza dough. In 2022, the company partnered with Kerry on a protein crisp ingredient that is made from spent brewing grains and designed for bars and cereals.
— Chris Casey
