The All Candy Expo, following on the heels of the NRA Show, offered a chance to have a final course on the menu of new products, trends, and industry networking. And what a sweet way to end The Food Channel’s coverage in Chicago! We started our tour with an interview with two ambassadors of the industry.
Now, here is our list of the Top Ten things we saw during our time on the Show Floor. If you weren’t there, you get a chance to see some of the new products and trends; if you were there, let us know what else you saw!
Seeds of Change Chocolate
The newly launched Seeds of Change Chocolate is 100% Organic Certified and comes in such ‘adult’ flavors as Dark Chocolate with Cherries and Vanilla, Dark Chocolate with Mango and Cashew, and Milk Chocolate with Puffed Grains. Seeds of Change donates 1% of net sales to promote sustainable organic agriculture.
Real Chocolate Relief Act
Mars Snackfoods US discussed its recently-unveiled ‘Real Chocolate Relief Act’ that includes Free Chocolate Fridays. Through this program, Mars will give away 250,000 candy bars every Friday from now through the end of September. To get in the running for a free candy bar, time your visit to realchocolate.com to hit around 9:00 a.m. ET on Fridays.
GüdFüd
These pop-able stuffed marshmallows are filled with a variety of flavors including chocolate, grape, strawberry and orange. Though GüdFüd is based in America, the trendy Japanese-designed package design really catches the eye. Free samples are available at gud-fud.com.
Cupcake Decorating
Expo attendees enjoyed hands-on cupcake decorating classes led by the authors of the wildly popular Hello, Cupcake!: Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make
Mints
Mints were everywhere at the Expo, and we were intrigued by the variety of ways the products were differentiated. Some standouts: VitaminMints, which contain a variety of B-, C, and E vitamins; and Wrench Mints, whose energetic singing and dancing spokesperson encourages us, ‘When your breath is broke….Fix it!’
Focaccia Sticks and Biscotti
The Expo is ‘All about Sweets and Snacks,’ and we really enjoyed Nonni’s New York Style Foccaccia Sticks: Quattro Formaggio, which were unique, crunchy and cheesy. Nonni’s has also just launched soft-baked Tusconi, which replicate the softness of biscotti pulled fresh from the oven.
RJ’s Licorice
A candy manufacturer from New Zealand has taken a centuries-old treat, perfected the confection, and updated it with a variety of fillings. RJ’s Licorice Logs come in flavors such as Strawberry White Chocolate, Licorice Chocolate and Raspberry Chocolate.
Project 7
Customers vote on the beneficiaries, and when all is said and done, more than 50% of the profit generated from the sales of these Project 7, waters and clothing goes to support such causes as helping the homeless and protecting the environment.
Sugar Free Spray Candy
The previous versions of Too Tarts’ Spray Candy have been popular with the kids for quite some time, but when President and Founder Armand Hammer noticed his grandkids gobbling down the high-fructose corn syrup, he decided to make a change. The result was a Sugar Free Spray Candy, and in 2009 the treat won the ECRM Kid’s Choice Award, beating out its sugar and corn syrup competitors.
Jelly Belly Superfruit Mix
This newly-launched assortment of flavors from Jelly Belly includes Acai Berry, Barbados Cherry, Cranberry, Blueberry and Pomegranate. Aside from being a tasty mix, the beans are made with natural flavors and colors, real juices, and are naturally sweetened.
Watch for more stories and videos on these products and ideas over the coming weeks from The Food Channel!
