From pumpkin spice to caramel apple: Unwrapping 2024’s fall LTO lineup of foods, beverages

03-Sep-2024 - Last updated on 03-Sep-2024 at 16:14 GMT

Source: Califia Farms, Fancypants, Fit Butters and Chobani

With summer winding down, falls flavors — including the infamous pumpkin spice — are returning to store shelves and CPG products in coffees, cookies, yogurts and more as consumers seek new seasonal taste experiences.

"This fall, consumers are craving elevated indulgence and nostalgic beverages that evoke a sense of comfort and warmth. Beyond pumpkin spice, flavors like caramel apple are increasingly popular. Across menus, expect to see seasonal fruits like pear, cranberry and blood orange complemented by sweet and spiced flavors like maple, cinnamon and even turmeric," Brian Loukmas, VP of innovation at syrup and sauce company Monin, shared in prepared remarks.

Starbucks, Danone North America return fall favorites, release new products

Beverages remain a popular category for fall limited-time offers (LTOs), with brands returning seasonal products and expanding product lines. This season’s releases include:

Starbucks: Starbucks’ iconic pumpkin spice latte was released earlier than ever before in its foodservice establishment, and the coffee giant is doubling down on seasonal LTOs with returning and new CPG products. Starbucks released its fall lineup of coffees and creamers in early August, including a range of pumpkin-spice bagged coffees, cold ready-to-drink coffees, concentrates and coffee creamers as well as Fall Blend and new Smoked Butterscotch coffee grounds and Keurig cups (K-cups).
Danone North America: Danone North America brought back its STōK Pumpkin Cold Brew and released a new International Delight Pumpkin Cold Foam Creamer. Additionally, Danone offers a full and zero-sugar Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer under its International Delight brand and Dunkin’ Pumpkin Munchkin Creamer, which is returning for the third year.
Laird Superfood: Functional beverage and snack company Laird Superfood released a suite of coconut-based fall products, including a pumpkin spice instant latte, creamers and protein bar with adaptogens.

Additionally, pumpkin spice flavors made their way into milks and creamers, including:

Califia Farms: Plant-based beverage company Califia Farms expanded its fall portfolio to include Maple Waffle Almond Creamer and Caramel Apple Almond Latte and brought back its Caramel Apple Crumble Oat Creamer, Pumpkin Spice Oat Barista Blend, Pumpkin Spice Almond Latte and Pumpkin Spice Almond Creamer. Additionally, the company teed up its winter lineup of LTOs, including a new holiday black iced coffee and a sugar cookie creamer.
Chobani: Beverage and yogurt company Chobani released a Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt Drink and a Pumpkin Spice Barista Oatmilk and returned its fall lineup of products, including La Colombe Pumpkin Spice Draft Latte and pumpkin spice creamers, yogurts and oat-milk drinks.
Bored Cow: Animal-free dairy company Bored Cow released a pumpkin spice flavor of its milk alternative exclusively at Target stores, as shared in a LinkedIn post. Bored Cow creates its milk by fermenting sugar into whey.

Mondelez, Pepperidge Farm, Thomas' bring back seasonals

Also, pumpkin-flavored cookies, dips and nut butters are popular this year, while a seasonal baking staple celebrates an anniversary. This year’s food releases include:

Fancypants: Crispy cookie brand Fancypants released its first seasonal LTO, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip, formulated with upcycled oat flour. In August, Fancypants expanded its retail presence to 250 new locations, including Big Y, Bristol Farms, Roche Bros and other stores. Fancypants is currently in over 1,750 stores.
Good Foods: Better-for-you dip and guacamole company Good Foods launched seasonal Pumpkin Spice Dairy Spread & Dip and Cranberry Jalapeño Dairy Spread & Dip in Sept., available at Sprouts, Costco, Safeway and BJ’s.
Fit Butters: Fit Butters released Pumpkin Pie Cashew Butter and Caramel Apple Peanut Butter versions of its gluten-free and vegan functional butters. Each provides 7 grams of plant protein (from pea and brown rice protein) per tablespoon serving.

Additionally, Mondelez brought back its pumpkin spice and orange crème chocolate Oreo cookies, and Pepperidge Farm re-released two fall products — Milano Pumpkin Spice Cookies and Pepperidge Farm Pumpkin Spice Swirl Bread. Also, bagel brand Thomas' brought back its pumpkin spice muffins and bagels, available through Nov. 2.

In the spices aisle, McCormick is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its iconic red-cap pumpkin pie spice blend — cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice — through recipes and social and digital media content.