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.
Tyson chicken flocks to portable protein cups
Tyson Foods is adding bulk to the protein craze with the launch of portable chicken cups.
The Tyson Chicken Cups contain at least 30 grams of protein and are available in four options: Boneless, Lightly Breaded Boneless, Mini Dino Nuggets and Popcorn Chicken Bites. The products are stored frozen and can be microwaved in as little as 90 seconds.
The meat processing giant launched the cup format after determining that busy consumers need more convenient ways to eat chicken, the company said. Tyson noted that people are seeking easier ways to access protein, with 80% of them incorporating it into at least one meal each day.
“With the popularity of chicken and consumer demand for portable, protein-rich foods, we needed to find a way to make our products even more accessible throughout the day,” Dawnna Bowen, vice president of innovation at Tyson Foods, said in a statement.
Chicken consumption has risen nearly every year since the mid-1960s, according to the National Chicken Council. Americans are forecast to eat more than 103 pounds of chicken this year, nearly three times the amount they consumed in 1965.
Chicken is high in protein and remains more affordable than beef, making it a popular choice for consumers who are adding the nutrient into all parts of their diet. A standard 3.5-ounce serving of chicken breast provides 31 grams, while a thigh has about 25 grams, the NCC noted.
– Christopher Doering
Saint James tea taps into Y2K nostalgia with Juicy Couture collab
Ready-to-drink iced tea brand Saint James tea is launching a limited-edition Juicy Peach flavor in collaboration with Y2K brand Juicy Couture that taps into consumer nostalgia.
The bottle highlights both brands’ aesthetics, including Saint James’ fruit icons as well as aluminum lettering that mimics Juicy’s bedazzled logo. Juicy Peach is Saint James’ first flavor to be sold in entirely recyclable aluminum bottles, according to the company.
The flavor is available on Amazon and Target retail locations nationwide.
“Given that our existing flavors are almost entirely fruit-forward, our team often found ourselves using the word ‘juicy’ to describe them. Naturally, this sparked the idea: wouldn't a collaboration with Juicy Couture be interesting?” Brad Neumann, cofounder and co-CEO of Saint James, said in the release.
The goal of the collaboration is to tap into the nostalgia represented by the apparel brand.
Launched in 2021, Saint James is backed by AriZona Tea cofounder John M. Ferolito. Saint James bills itself as organic with little to no sugar, and is squarely targeted at Gen Z consumers.
– Laurel Deppen
Sprinkles cupcakes enters pudding mixes with Jel Sert
Fla-Vor-Ice freezer pop owner The Jel Sert Company is introducing a line of pudding and pie filling mixes in collaboration with Sprinkles, the cupcake maker that made a splash in the 2010s with its dessert ATMs.
The mixes come in three flavors: red velvet, salted caramel and lemon blueberry cupcake. The lemon blueberry cupcake flavor will launch on Amazon, while the other two flavors are available exclusively at Walmart.
"This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering simple, joyful treats for families everywhere while meeting the growing demand for customizable, do-it-yourself desserts," Ken Wegner, president at Jel Sert, said in a statement.
The desserts are seen as a low-calorie indulgence that can be enjoyed on their own or in recipes. Each mix comes in four-count serving sizes, with 100 calories per serving and no sugar.
The launch speaks to consumers' desire for nostalgic and affordable treats, some of the biggest demands in the space, according to Innova Markets. As more consumers also "play" with their food with do-it-yourself recipes to elevate certain flavors or add unexpected textures, companies are getting in on the action by providing their own ideas on how to transform their products.
As part of the launch, Jel Sert and Sprinkles have developed a collection of DIY recipes using the new pudding mixes, including red velvet hot chocolate, red velvet brownie cookies and pudding pops.
– Sarah Zimmerman
