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.
Sweetarts, Lemonhead chill out with freeze-dried candy
Ferrara is cooling down three of its hottest candies with its latest innovations.
The Chicago-based candy maker is launching freeze-dried versions of Sweetarts, Lemonhead and Sprees that reportedly bring a “flavorful light and airy bite” to the popular hard candies.
"We know our consumers are always craving exciting new ways to experience their favorite candy, so we're setting a new standard," Kiren Devereux, director of marketing for Sweetarts, said in a statement. "Freeze Dried represents a space that consumers are very interested in – unlocking entirely new textures while honoring the authentic flavor profiles that make these brands beloved by so many."
The candies are arriving on shelves this month at retailers including Target and Walmart.
The global freeze-dried candy market size is expected to nearly double to $2.4 billion by 2030, a compound annual growth rate of 8.3%, according to Grand View Research. TikTokers and younger consumers have helped propel the trend, often posting videos with millions of views where users freeze candies themselves.
It’s a big reason why many U.S.-based candy companies have introduced freeze-dried extensions of some of their hard sweets. Hershey, for example, launched Jolly Rancher Freeze Dried while Mars Wrigley introduced Skittles Pop’d.
— Christopher Doering
Truly spills the raspberry tea with ‘Love Island’ star
Truly is launching a raspberry iced tea flavor in partnership with reality TV star JaNa Craig of “Love Island.”
The flavor, “No Shade, Just Tea,” combines hard seltzer with brewed tea and raspberry flavor. The drinks contain 100 calories and have 5% alcohol by volume per 12-ounce serving.
The drink will be sold in limited drops beginning Sept. 17 while supplies last on the alcohol e-commerce platform Give Them Beer.
Matt Withington, Truly’s senior director of marketing, said the partnership with Craig was “a perfect fit” because of her genuine love for the brand and connection to Truly’s audience.
The Boston Beer-owned brand previously partnered with the reality star last year when Truly launched a limited-edition “Brunch Pack” of flavors, including Rosé and orange mimosa. Craig co-hosted an event promoting the product.
Truly has sold a raspberry tea flavor before in a variety pack with other fruit tea flavors, including strawberry, lemon and peach.
Truly isn’t new to celebrity partnerships. It previously partnered with singer Dua Lipa, where the musician was dubbed the “chief flavor officer.” Other companies have relied on celebrities to help their RTD cocktails stand out in a crowded market, including Shaquille O'Neal's BeatBox and Kylie Jenner's Sprinter vodka soda.
The hard seltzer market is projected to reach $60.16 billion by 2030. Despite a downturn in alcohol consumption, hard seltzers, particularly premium options made with real spirits, have remained a bright spot in the industry.
— Laurel Deppen
Hamburger Helper expands offerings amid brand resurgence
Hamburger Helper is breaking into breakfast and launching a restaurant-inspired meal line as the more than 50-year-old brand experiences "a blockbuster resurgence" with more consumers eating at home.
The Eagle Foods-owned brand is launching breakfast offerings in single microwaveable cups and boxes. The flavors are: Cheesy Hashbrowns, Southwest Style Hashbrowns, and Sausage and Hashbrowns.
Hamburger Helper is also introducing a deluxe line of elevated boxed meals with liquid sauce packets. The offerings, inspired by restaurant takeout, feature flavors such as Sweet & Savory Teriyaki, Brew Pub Cheeseburger, Zesty Marinara and Cheesy Buffalo Mac.
First introduced in 1971 as an affordable one-dish meal, Hamburger Helper is targeting a new generation of consumers as inflation prompts shoppers to prioritize value and convenience. Consumers are preparing their own meals at levels not seen since the height of the pandemic, providing tailwinds to makers of sauces, soups and frozen meals.
“Hamburger Helper is undoubtedly experiencing a blockbuster resurgence that, in many ways, resembles the runaway success the brand experienced when it first hit store shelves more than a half-century ago,” Mala Wiedemann, Eagle Foods executive vice president of Marketing and R&D, said in a statement.
— Sarah Zimmerman
