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Leftovers is a showcase of some of the product ideas we’ve seen popping up around the place. Some are interesting, some are great, and some are things we’d never dreamed of. We can’t write about everything that’s been suggested, so here are some leftovers culled from our inbox.
East meets West with Old Bay Bagel Chips
A popular seafood condiment from Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay has secured its latest catch with the help of a unique snack maker from across the bay.
Cali Bagels, a new bagel chip brand from San Diego, has announced its first collaboration product, Old Bay Bagel Chips. The snacks are seasoned with zesty Old Bay seasoning, a blend of 18 herbs and spices, including black pepper, celery salt, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
In press releaseCali Bagels founder Phil Gorman said he got the idea to combine the two products after trying a blue crab dip made by a friend on some chips.
“Bringing the enthusiasm for our iconic seafood seasoning brand to snack lovers across the country is incredibly exciting for our team,” Gorman said in a statement.
The chips are available for sale only in packs of four on the Cali Bagels website. As a new brand in the bagel chip category, Cali Bagels will compete with brands like Stacy’s by selling a crunchy snack that derives from the doughy breakfast food.
Acquired by condiment giant McCormick in 1990, Old Bay has grown from a regional favorite to a national success, which has led to the ingredient being used in other CPG products in recent years, most notably Campbell’s Goldfish Crackers flavor, which first launched in 2022 as a limited-time flavor. Back on the shelves this yearand a hot sauce that debuted in 2020.
—Chris Casey
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Courtesy of Once Upon a Farm
Once Upon a Farm is growing fast
Baby nutrition brands Expanded product line with launch of soft baked bars for kidsUsing ingredients like whole fruits and vegetables, whole grain oats, and no added sugar, the company aims to pack both nutrition and convenience into on-the-go snacks.
The bars come in four flavors: Apple & Oatmeal, Chocolate Oatmeal, Mixed Berry, and Banana Chocolate Chip.
“Our freshly baked bars taste like they’re fresh out of the oven and are packed with whole grain oats, fruits, veggies and fats like coconut oil to keep the whole family fueled all day long,” Cassandra Curtis, founder and chief innovation officer at Once Upon a Farm, said in a statement.
Curtis added that the bars can also be crushed and sprinkled on ice cream or coffee, or sandwiched between chocolate and peanut butter.
The introduction of the bar is an expansion of Once Upon a Farm’s existing portfolio of pantry staples. The company also offers organic unsweetened coconut puffs in flavors such as apple and sweet potato, strawberry and sweet potato, and mango and carrot.
The company’s Tractor Wheel toddler bars come in flavors such as apple and sweet potato, strawberry and pumpkin, and banana, pumpkin and cauliflower.
Consumers’ increasingly on-the-go lifestyles have created a demand for convenient, grab-and-go nutrition solutions for children.
According to data from Fact.Mr., demand for kids’ snacks is expected to reach US$22 billion in 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% through to 2034.
Once Upon a Farm’s new kids’ bars will be available exclusively in Kroger stores nationwide through August.
—Elizabeth Flood
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Courtesy of Seed + Mill
Sesame sauce maker Seed + Mill caters to those with a sweet tooth
A brand that uses sesame in its sauce products is now incorporating it into an unexpected food: dessert.
Seed & Mill is launching Chocolate Sesame Sauce as a sweet alternative to its flagship creamy sesame butter, Tahini, which the brand says is designed to be spread on toast, drizzled on ice cream or waffles or eaten with fruit.
“I’ve been combining chocolate and tahini in my own kitchen for years, and our community has been asking for this flavor combination since we launched the brand nearly eight years ago,” company founder Rachel Simmons said in a statement.
Seed & Mill debuted in 2016 at the Chelsea Market food hall in New York City. The company says its tahini, made from sesame seeds, can be used in cooking, baking and as a seasoning. The sesame seeds the company uses are sourced from Ethiopia. The company also sells a spicy tahini product.
A staple in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines, sesame seeds have seen increased use in Western foods in recent years as global flavors infiltrate menus and cookbook recipes. Sesame seeds contain 1.5 grams of protein per tablespoon, as well as calcium, iron and minerals. According to the USDA.
Niche products that have gained popularity in recent years include sesame milk and sesame-based salad dressings. The sesame market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% to reach $8.7 billion by 2029. According to Mordor Intelligence.
—Chris Casey
