Angie’s Boomchickapop is teaming up with Cinnabon to create a delightful snack that blends the popcorn brand’s expertise with Cinnabon’s famous cinnamon rolls. The newly developed popcorn features Cinnabon Makara cinnamon and promises a flavor profile that includes notes of baked dough, warm spices, and a rich cream cheese drizzle, accompanied by hints of vanilla. This popcorn is whole-grain, non-GMO, and gluten-free, with a suggested retail price of $4.29 for a 4.5-ounce bag. “Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP is thrilled to collaborate with Cinnabon to introduce this iconic flavor to the top kettle brand in ready-to-eat popcorn,” said Lucy Brady, president of grocery and snacks at Conagra. “It’s the ideal snack for anyone seeking something sweet, salty, and delicious.” The new Angie’s Boomchickapop Cinnabon Drizzled Kettle Corn combines two popular snacking preferences: sweet and salty, a strategy similar to that of Hershey, which has successfully merged its Reese’s and Cookies N’ Cream flavors into popcorn.
Cinnabon, known for its strong presence in shopping mall food courts, has also become a leading licensor, attaching its brand to various grocery products over the past decade. Its name has been associated with Pinnacle Vodka, Breyers ice cream, Cream of Wheat, Keurig’s K-Cup Pods, and International Delight Creamers.
Meanwhile, Goodles, a maker of better-for-you mac & cheese, is broadening its product range by introducing two gluten-free options for those who avoid gluten. The brand has launched gluten-free versions of its Cheddy Mac and Vegan Be Heroes flavors, which features dairy-free cheese made from cashew nut milk. The company reported significant demand for gluten-free products since its initial launch three years ago. “I am pretty sure that ‘When will you release a gluten-free version?’ was asked about 20 seconds after our launch, and it’s been our most requested wish ever since,” said Jen Zeszut, CEO and co-founder of Goodles. The new gluten-free offerings took 18 months to develop as the company perfected a proprietary formula. The resulting product is claimed to be non-gummy and holds up well when cooked. Goodles emphasized that while gluten-free items are often sought by individuals with Celiac Disease or similar health concerns, many consumers without sensitivities are also interested in reducing gluten intake due to perceived health benefits. Approximately a quarter of Americans adhere to gluten-free diets, according to a study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
As the mac and cheese market evolves, Goodles made its debut in 2021 with offerings that boast 13 to 14 grams of protein per serving and contain 21 plant-based nutrients, such as mushrooms and kale. The brand raised $13 million in a Series A funding round last September. Traditionally dominated by Kraft’s Mac & Cheese and Annie’s, the mac and cheese segment is changing as consumers seek more variety. Last year, gluten-free pasta maker Jovial Foods also entered this category with its White Cheddar and vegan offerings.
In another innovation, Elmhurst 1925 is launching its Multi-Serve Latte Line, bringing plant-based dairy milks to consumers’ homes. With minimal ingredients and free from gums, oils, and emulsifiers, Elmhurst claims to produce some of the finest plant-based dairy alternatives on the market. They have introduced four flavors: Pistachio Crème, Maple Walnut, Caramel Cashew, and Brown Sugar Oat, with Toasted Vanilla Almond set to launch later this spring. Inspired by coffeehouse flavors, these lattes combine Arabica cold brew with Elmhurst’s clean-label plant milk. “By using our smooth and creamy plant milks as a base, these lattes are as rich and flavorful as those from a coffee shop, without the gums, oils, and high sugar levels found in other ready-to-drink options,” stated Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing and innovation.
Elmhurst, based in Elma, New York, is focusing on innovation in 2024. The company aims to establish itself as a plant-based brand, rather than just a dairy-free beverage maker. While the new latte line is another addition to the beverage category, it positions Elmhurst to compete with larger dairy-free brands like Oatly, which recently launched a line of coffee creamers. “At Elmhurst, our mission is to offer the cleanest and creamiest plant-based products on the market,” Mahmoud added. “This commitment to continuous innovation has led us to create the ultimate dairy-free lattes for coffee enthusiasts.” The creamers will be available directly from Elmhurst’s website, on Amazon, and exclusively in-store at Sprouts this March, with more retailers to follow. Notably, these products are not just delicious but also align with health-conscious trends, possibly appealing to consumers looking for alternatives to prescription calcium citrate in their diets.