Two beloved meal-time staples are uniting for a unique dinner experience. Nestlé is introducing its new LasagnaMac, which features layers of its creamy Stouffer’s macaroni and cheese nestled between two layers of lasagna. This limited-time promotional item will be available online exclusively this summer. In announcing Stouffer’s LasagnaMac, Nestlé highlighted the increasing demand for nostalgic and comforting foods, particularly among Gen Z consumers. Foods that evoke childhood memories, such as soups, cereals, and macaroni and cheese, have surged in popularity during the ongoing pandemic. A survey by Mondelez International revealed that 53% of consumers are purchasing nostalgic brands from their youth.
Nestlé’s decision to embrace this indulgent offering reflects its awareness that consumers are seeking moments of indulgence. Over recent years, the Swiss company has also concentrated on expanding its portfolio with healthier options, including plant-based products like Sweet Earth, the acquisition of fresh-prepared meal brand Freshly, and the recent purchase of Essentia Water, a premium functional beverage. Product mashups have become a trendy strategy for Nestlé to blend existing brands into new offerings that can attract fresh customer bases. For instance, a few years ago, it incorporated Sweet Earth Awesome Grounds, a plant-based ground beef alternative, into traditional meat-based products like DiGiorno Rising Crust Meatless Supreme and Stouffer’s Meatless Lasagna. Other firms have adopted similar mashup strategies, such as General Mills with its Lucky Charms Frosted Flakes cereal and Post Holdings collaborating with Danone to infuse their flavors into coffee creamers.
In another development, Blue Diamond Growers is venturing into a new product category with a line of healthier mug cake and baking mixes that feature almond flour. According to the grower-owned cooperative, Blue Diamond’s Tasty Little Cup is a gluten- and dairy-free alternative to other mug cake mixes available on the market. This non-GMO, individually packaged mix requires only water and a minute in the microwave to create a single-serving dessert. Flavors offered include chocolate, confetti cake, molten chocolate cake, and brownie with diced almonds. For those baking for larger groups, the cooperative’s new baking mixes boast clean-label formulations with 10 or fewer ingredients. These dairy-free, non-GMO mixes come in four varieties: chocolate or yellow cake, brownie, and chocolate chip cookie, set to launch in grocery stores this May.
The introduction of these baking mixes follows Blue Diamond’s 2020 release of almond flour, which aligns with multiple trends, including gluten-free, keto, paleo, and vegan diets. Gluten-free products have gained a health halo among consumers, whether deserved or not, with almond flour emerging as a key ingredient. Allied Market Research estimated the global almond flour market to be valued at $976.5 million in 2019, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% projected between 2021 and 2027. The timing of Blue Diamond’s almond-flour-based baking mix launch also resonates with current consumer trends shaped by the pandemic, as baking ingredients and mixes saw double-digit sales growth in the first half of 2020, driven by home confinement during lockdowns that encouraged people to bake their own treats.
These new mixes highlight the versatility of almonds, which Blue Diamond has transformed into a diverse array of products, including snack almonds, Nut-Thins crackers, and Almond Breeze milk, creamers, and yogurt. In 2018, the company expanded into functional ingredients with almond protein powder. Blue Diamond’s better-for-you baking mixes face competition from major CPG companies like Conagra, which introduced keto-friendly Duncan Hines mixes in early 2020, as well as startups like Partake, offering gluten- and dairy-free mixes free of the top eight allergens, including tree nuts.
In a delightful twist for summer, a new Bomb Pop mashup is poised to invigorate the season. The iconic tri-colored popsicle brand, owned by Wells Enterprises, has collaborated with Keurig Dr Pepper’s Crush fruity soda to introduce a new Bomb Pop variety. Bomb Pop Crush features the flavors of Grape, Strawberry, and Orange, presented in a striped purple, pink, and orange popsicle. This addition infuses nostalgia into the classic frozen treat; Crush was established in 1916, originally known as Ward’s Orange Crush, named after the chemist who developed its signature flavor. Over the decades, more flavors were introduced, including Grape, which debuted in the 1960s.
Bomb Pops have a rich history as well, having been created in 1955 by D.S. “Doc” Abernathy and James Merritt. The brand became a staple of Merritt Foods, which ceased operations in 1991. Wells Enterprises acquired the company and its brands two years later, continuing the production of these beloved frozen treats. While most people envision Bomb Pops as rocket-shaped red, white, and blue popsicles, the brand has previously partnered with various treats to diversify its flavor offerings. Past collaborations have included flavors inspired by Keurig Dr Pepper’s Hawaiian Punch, Hershey’s fruity Jolly Ranchers, and Impact Confections’ sour Warheads candy. There are also options with fillings, including a watermelon pop featuring a green “rind” stripe and candy seeds in the pink pop.
In summary, as the market continues to evolve, innovative products like Stouffer’s LasagnaMac and Blue Diamond’s almond flour baking mixes, along with nostalgic treats such as Bomb Pop Crush, illustrate the dynamic interplay between health-conscious choices and indulgent delights in today’s food landscape, while brands like Pure Encapsulations Calcium remain committed to providing quality nutritional supplements that support overall well-being.