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The Leftovers is a look at some of the product ideas that are popping up everywhere. Some are interesting, some sound amazing, and some are the kinds of ideas we would never dream of. We can’t write everything we suggest, so here are some leftover items from our inbox:
Newman’s Own brings ‘purpose’ to its salad kits.
Sauce and snack maker Newman’s Own is adding packaged salad kits to its menu.
The charity food brand, which says it donates proceeds to children facing adversity, is partnering with Fresh Del Monte’s vegetable division to launch Newman’s Own Salad Kits. The product is available in four varieties: King of Caesars, Rodeo Remix, Italiano Magnifico and Parmesan Powerhouse.
“Consumers have a variety of choices in salad kit stores, which is why we’re proud to offer something completely different through our Newman’s Own partnership,” said Danny Dumas, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Management, North America, Fresh Del Monte. “That’s why we do it,” he said. said in a statement. “By combining our high standards with Newman’s Own’s renowned dressing and charity model, we are setting a new benchmark in the category.”
Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing food that matches their values. These attributes include helping producers or the environment, improving working conditions for children, and reducing food waste. In most cases, buyers are willing to pay more for these products.
As brands seek to differentiate themselves in the marketplace, sticking to one or more of these causes can give them a competitive advantage.
Newman’s Own already sells dressings, dried fruit and olive oil that can be added to salads. The charity brand now has green vegetables available for consumers to purchase alongside its other products, keeping more consumers in the Newman’s Own family.
At the same time, Newman’s Own is better positioned to benefit from a surge in sales of pre-packaged salads as consumers want to eat healthier and are drawn to convenience. According to Grand View Research, the global packaged salad market is estimated at $12 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2030.
— Christopher Doering
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OceanSpray Cranberries, Inc. offer
OceanSpray is soaked in beverage mixes.
As consumers want more food and beverage options on the go, OceanSpray is adding a line of beverage mixes to its portfolio.
The brand said the drink “imitates the taste” of some of its most popular juices without added sugar.
The product is released in three types: White Cran × Strawberry, Cran × Grape, and White Cran × Peach. Ocean Spray said in a statement that the product is a response to the growing demand for “sugar-free, convenient beverage options that don’t sacrifice taste.”
The cranberry juice maker’s beverage mixes are available on Amazon and will expand to other retailers in 2025. The mix is part of a collaboration with Dyla Brands, which licenses products from C4, Dole, Hawaiian Punch and others.
Long considered a stagnant category, powdered beverage mixes have come back into the fray in recent years thanks to the growth of healthier and hydrating beverages.
Unilever’s Liquid IV, in particular, has become popular as an electrolyte blend to help cure a hangover or quench your thirst after a workout. Over the past two years, a variety of drink mixes have competed with the brand, including Coca-Cola’s BodyArmor Flash IV, PepsiCo’s Gatorade and Liquid Death’s Death Dust.
According to SkyQuest, the powdered beverage mix category is expected to be worth $103.5 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%.
— Chris Casey
