With exhibitors canceling en masse 48-hours before the nation's biggest natural products show was set to open, organizer New Hope was forced to pull the plug, promising a new date "before the summer" (although it's unclear how realistic this is given the circumstances). In the meantime, checkout our gallery of product launches from the show that never was...
Brainiac Kids - which is best-known for its kids' yogurt products featuring brain-friendly nutrients DHA and choline - has expanded its range to include applesauce pouches.
"This latest launch of applesauce pouches is an important step for the company proving the concept can cross multiple kids’ food categories. We were told by many industry experts that it would be impossible to get meaningful amounts of Omega-3s, particularly DHA, into a shelf-stable product like applesauce and we are thrilled that we were able to find a way to bring this item to families nationwide," said co-founder Mark Brooks.
The brand - which has donated all of the product that would have been served to Expo West’s planned 90,000 attendees to local children - is now available in Target and Whole Foods stores nationwide.
Pitching itself as a 'dairy-free yogurt' rather than a dessert, Chikaraka has a base of organic pasture raised eggs - delivering 10g protein per serving - and coconut cream, banana, fresh pureed berries, lemon and vanilla. All eggs are sourced from parent company Handsome Brook Farms, which says the new brand will launch in the summer.
The latest innovations from Seeds of Wellness include a whole chia seed plant-based milk (chia, water, salt); chia pastas (chia, corn, rice flour), and chia oil for salads and cooking.
Another new addition to the gluten-free pasta set is Jovial Foods' certified organic cassava-based pasta, which claims to deliver "the same al dente texture as pasta made with wheat."
Barilla is also expanding its presence in gluten-free pasta with the launch of red lentil pasta and spaghetti (MSRP $2.89) on Amazon (now) and in major retailers this summer. With a nutty taste and al dente texture, the products are a good source of protein and an excellent source of fiber.
Want to reach a state of bliss every day? Everyday Bliss from Coconut Bliss (MSRP $5.49 vs $6.99 for core Coconut Bliss pints) promises "affordable indulgence" and "opens up the opportunity to experiment with other types of organic, sustainable plant bases," says the firm.
"It was carefully created at a price point and with flavor profiles fitting for the needs of the larger population and is a solution to everyday dietary needs and restrictions.
"Certain ingredient choices were made for the Everyday Bliss product to hit a lower price point; for example, the coconut base is sweetened with organic fair trade sugar rather than agave, which is used in the core line. As a result, the texture is lighter and the flavor is more familiar to consumers."
Wildbrine - best-known for its fermented krauts and kimchis – is launching WildCREAMERY, a new facility in Santa Rosa dedicated to producing plant-based dairy alternatives, including cashew-based cheese.
Wildbrine’s cultured cashew brie alternative – which debuted at last year’s show – will be available nationwide by April 2020, said co-founder Chris Glab. “My co-founder Rick and I utilized our fermentation knowledge from the Wildbrine side to develop our own cultures that flavor the new WildCREAMERY plant based butter and cheese alternatives.”
In addition to the brie alternative, Wildbrine is introducing six new creamery items in 2020 including:
- Cultured & Plant Based Dips: Spinach Artichoke, Ranch, French Onion, and Chipotle Lime
- Cultured & Plant Based European Style Butter Alternative
- Cultured & Plant Based Cream Cheese Alternative
New plant-based cheeses from Vevan Foods - a division of Schuman Cheese - use a base of water, modified potato starch, coconut oil, palm oil, and seasonings.
Silk is also adding another new product to its dairy-free yogurt lineup… Silk Almondmilk Mix-Ins Yogurt Alternative– combining almondmilk yogurt and mix-ins including nuts, seeds, granola and dark chocolate.
Flavors include Apple Cinnamon, Coconut Chocolate, Maple Chocolate Banana and Mixed Berry Chia Granola, with each serving containing 5-6g protein.
Once Upon a Farm is also hoping to make a splash in the plant-based arena with new organic dairy free kids' yogurt pouches (launching in May, SRP $2.79)) and probiotic smoothies (launched last month - SRP $2.99) made with pumpkin seed protein and probiotics with no added sugar.
Launching on its website and in select retailers (MSRP $2.99) this month, La Colombe's 'draft' chocolate milk (pictured next to its oatmilk lattes, which will roll-out nationwide this year) is made with lactose-free milk and has a foamy texture thanks to the firm's patented nitrous oxide process, "making it a great guilt-free treat."
The latest innovation from Caulipower is Caulipower Rice, available in three varieties (Curried, Baja Style and Sesame Citrus) with 100 - 160 calories per container, and 3-5g net carbs per serving (MSRP $4.99).
Fellow cauliflower-fueled brand Cali'flour Foods - best known for its pizzas, pizza crusts, and flatbreads - is launching four new keto-friendly and low glycemic frozen entrees (two enchilada bakes and two lasagnas) and unveiling a new look.
Real Food from the Ground Up is unveiling a new look and expanding its range with new butternut squash-fueled tortilla chips and stalks (butternut squash is the #3 ingredient behind cassava and sunflower oil). Launched in 2018, the brand is now in 20,000+ stores.
Hippie Snacks' latest plant-based innovations include Almond Crisps - which have 5-6g protein/serving and feature almonds as the #1 ingredient (followed by cassava flour, sesame seeds, blanched almond flour, and sunflower seeds); and Cauliflower Cheeze Crisps, which have 6g protein and feature cauliflower as the #1 ingredient (followed by pumpkin seeds and coconut milk).
KRAVE Plant-Based Jerky is made from peas and fava beans but promises a "taste and texture similar to that of KRAVE Gourmet Meat Cuts" with 8g protein/serving; while KRAVE Pork Rinds in Chili Lime and Al Pastor Taco deliver "a better-for-you, culinary-inspired update to the beloved snack."
Moving into the beverage aisle, coconut water brand Vita Coco is tapping into the CBD craze with a new 'infused' line of sparkling coconut water beverages containing 20mg of broad spectrum hemp extract (no THC) in partnership with Plant People.
Cannabis brand Caliva has launched its first hemp-based CBD (hCBD) infused beverage. Available in Black, Mexican Chocolate and Vanilla, each 8 fl. oz can of Soul Grind features organic cold brew coffee with 100mg caffeine and 10mg broad-spectrum hCBD.
The latest innovations from Manitoba Harvest include soft baked hemp bars with 15mg CBD, 10g plant protein, and 7g sugar, available in June 2020. (Picture: Getty Images/Aleksandr_Kravtsov)
At this year’s Expo West, Reed’s was planning to showcase its new Really Real Ginger Ale in Original and Zero Sugar varieties, featuring "1,000 times more ginger than other leading ginger ales."
Zero-calorie, zero-caffeine Rama Butterfly Tea - brewed from butterfly pea flower petals (MSRP $3.99) – is one of two new lines from organic cold-pressed juice company Daily Greens. The second, Farmstand Lemonade, features functional ingredients such as Chlorella and Blue Majik Spirulina (MSRP $3.99).
Spindrift's latest flavor features Golden pineapple juice from Costa Rica, says founder Bill Creelman. “Pineapple juice can be very dense and rich. Because our taste profile is very light and refreshing, it took time to get the right balance of pineapple and sparkling water."
Spindrift - which has just raised $29.8m in a new funding round according to an SEC filing - has carved a unique niche in the beverage aisle by using just two ingredients: lightly carbonated filtered water and freshly squeezed fruit juice (no sweeteners, no flavors).
Suja planned to debut a new look and a new Elevated Nutrients juice line at the show. Developed in collaboration with Whole Foods - where it will launch on an exclusive basis this month - Elevated Nutrients combines organic juice and juice extracts, and functional ingredients such as lion's mane extract, spirulina extract, and probiotics.
Orgain was gearing up to debut a flurry of organic innovations at Expo West including sports energy and recovery powders; plant-based protein powders, shakes, kids’protein shakes, and pancake and waffle mixes; and collagen-infused functional beverages, protein powders and protein shakes.
SkinnyPop Chips - made from wholegrain popcorn — come in Sea Salt, BBQ, and Cheddar & Sour Cream flavors, and offer "the delicious taste of chips paired with the better-for-you credentials of SkinnyPop."
Sheila G's is tapping into the keto trend with chocolate chip brownie brittle with 2g net carbs and zero sugar. The products are made with a base of almond flour and butter, with no sugar added chocolate chips sweetened with erythritol and stevia.
