Gourmet News

NPD Names Sweets and Snacks Expo Consumer Award Winners

Published June 29, 2022

The NPD Group announced the winners of its inaugural consumer awards during the Sweets and Snacks Expo, hosted by the National Confectioners Association in Chicago, May 24-25. The awards, presented by NPD’s food and beverage practice to the winning sweets and snacks manufacturers, were based on the highest share of eatings together with needs, motivations, mood, situations, or occasions that influenced the snack or treat selection, according to the company’s SnackTrack service, which continually tracks treat and snack consumption attitudes and behaviors.

“The sweets and snacks industry plays an essential role in meeting various consumer needs, like on-the-go convenience, a morning boost, or a ‘happy’ treat,” says Darren Seifer, NPD food and beverage industry analyst. “Through our consumer awards, we wanted to recognize how the industry focuses on their consumers in multiple ways, giving them just what they need and want.”

The NPD Group Sweets and Snacks Expo Consumer Awards

Happy Consumer Award – Top snack cake consumed when happy:
Hostess Cupcakes/Company: Hostess

Take It With Me Award – Top snack cake consumed on the go:
Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcakes/Company: McKee Foods

Morning Boost Award – Top diet bars consumed during morning occasions:
Atkins Bars/Company: The Simply Good Foods Company

Premium Chocolate Choice Award — Top premium chocolate candy brand consumed:
Godiva/Company: Godiva Chocolate

Holiday Ace Award – Non-Chocolate Candy — Top chewy candy consumed on major holidays:
Haribo Goldbears/Company: Haribo

Can’t Put It Down Award — Top brand consumed more than 3x in the same day:
Tic Tac/Company: Ferrero

Healthy Lunch Box Award — Top better-for-you snack food consumed at school:
Mott’s Applesauce/Company: Keurig Dr Pepper

Mom, I Want It Award – Top candy requested by kids:
Snickers/Company: Mars

Favorite Savory Snack Award – Top savory snack consumed as a “favorite snack”:
Lay’s Classic/Company: Frito-Lay

Favorite Sweet Snack Award – Top sweet snack consumed as a “favorite snack”:
Oreo/Company: Mondelēz International

Holiday Ace for Chocolate Candy Award – Top chocolate brand consumed on major holidays:
Hershey’s Kisses/Company: The Hershey Company

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Alden’s Giving Away 10,000 Scoops of Organic Ice Cream

Published June 28, 2022

To celebrate National Ice Cream Month in July, Alden’s Organic is giving away 10,000 scoops throughout the month. Consumers will have ample opportunity to win via seven giveaways hosted on the Alden’s OrganiWc Instagram and Facebook accounts. To complete each prize pack, the family-owned brand Edward & Sons, will also be providing organic cones to winners.

The largest giveaway will be hosted on National Ice Cream Day (July 17) when 20 winners will be selected to each receive 100 scoops in the form of free coupons, which can be redeemed for any Alden’s Organic product. Alden’s Organic has something for everyone. Product options range from 48-ounce sqrounds, to 14-ounce pints, sammies in various shapes, and stick bars in a variety of classic flavors with a unique-to-Alden’s twist or swirl. Alden’s Organic frozen desserts include favorites such as Chocolate Chocolate Chip, New School Orange Cream, Dairy Free Double Strawberry and a new Gluten Free Dairy Free Vanilla Bean Sammie.

“National Ice Cream Month is in the heart of summer ice cream season and is the perfect time to celebrate this beloved sweet treat that brings people together. Our brand has always been about sparking joy and we want to share with as many people as we can through these giveaways,” said SVP of Sales and Marketing Joelle Simmons.

On Alden’s Organic’s social channels, the brand is leaning into summer’s most nostalgic moments with a vintage collection of imagery throughout the month to inspire everyone to share their fondest ice cream memories.

To promote the campaign, Alden’s Organic is partnering with popular influencers to create shareable creations using the hashtag #AldensFam to view the creations as they are shared.

For consumers looking to stock up for summer ice cream season, Alden’s Organic is also offering a $1.00 off coupon.

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Pass the Mustard – and Get a Peek at July’s Gourmet News

Published June 27, 2022

Since 1992, the National Mustard Museum has been celebrating National Mustard Day on the first Saturday in August, paying tribute to the Greatest (Condiment) Of All Time. Hubbard Avenue in front of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wis., will be the scene with hot dogs and bratwursts, mustard ice cream, hot soft pretzels, mustard tastings, live music and mustard games for kids of all ages on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Live music begins on the French’s Music Stage at 10 am with The Blue Accordion. Madison’s own Black Star Drum Line will rock the streets with its heart-pounding precision beats at 11 am, followed by afternoon headliners The Dawg Bones. At the Family Tent, the popular Kids Are People Too! will delight the crowds with interactive rock ‘n roll shows, and everyone will want to take part in the new “Pie-Walk” (better than the old-fashioned “cake-walk”) sponsored by the Hubbard Avenue Diner.

Usinger’s of Milwaukee returns as the official sausage sponsor of National Mustard Day. There will be plenty of mustards to slather on your dogs and brats. A special addition this year will be mustard-flavored ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company. New activities include a portable rock climbing wall and a mustard speed pitching game. Can you cut the mustard?

Renowned New York artist Steven Marcus will be inside the Museum with his new exhibition of fanciful mustard art.

Details of all the activities and a schedule are online.

The National Mustard Museum recently concluded the annual World-Wide Mustard Competition and on Mustard Day, visitors will have the opportunity to taste many of the medal winning mustards, including the 2022 Grand Champion Tiger Tail Curry Mustard.

The nonprofit National Mustard Museum holds the world’s largest collection of mustards (more than 6,500) and mustard memorabilia. Mustard lovers will have the opportunity to buy the museum’s book, The Art of Mustard, with more than 600 pictures of objects and artifacts in the museum collection. The popular game, Please Pass the Mustard!, will also be available for sale, as are hundreds of mustards and other gourmet foods.

For those unable to attend the festival, the museum will launch a Mustard Day YouTube video, with mustard greetings from around the world, on the morning of Aug. 6. the museum will also host a live Mustard Day Zoom at 5 pm CDT on Aug. 6. Details and links will be available on the Mustard Museum’s web sites, www.mustardmuseum.com and www.mustardmuseum.org, the week before Mustard Day.

In the July issue of Gourmet News: More on the National Mustard Museum and its coveted condiment. The issue will be posted online on July 1. Remember to subscribe so you don’t miss fun features as this!