CATEGORY FOCUS: JAMS PRESERVES, SAVOURY SNACKS, CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONERY

VIEWS FROM THE SHOP FLOOR

CHARLIE WELLS, director, The Farm Stratford We have a few different zero-waste areas; it’s a big part of our ethos. An Unpackaged unit was the first thing we got in and we’ve got 48 dispensers now which we regularly change depending on customer comments. We have fill-your-own orange juice and milk, all our fruit and veg is loose, and we also have Fieldfare’s zero-waste frozen range. We have minimal plastic where possible.

Reducing our plastic usage and minimising food waste is such a big thing for us. With us customers can buy whatever weight they want – they aren’t wasting as much food and we aren’t wasting as much food – and they love the concept. We incentivise people to bring their own containers as each time they do they get 10% off that product and extra loyalty points.

We’ve converted new customers to the concept, and that’s down to the products that are in there. We’ve got your staples, but we’ve also got a lot of sweet treats, so it’s a bit like a pick and mix. If customers use that initially, they’ll see the other products and start to use it more, we use the attractive treat to lure them in – sweet blackmail basically. We’ve got the chocolate and sweets at kids’ eye level to get the kids to use it and coax the parents into using it too.

KATE FORBES, coowner, The Trading Post, South Somerset We set up our refillables room in what used to be my office back in 2018. As well as being a good fit with our organic ethos, it has also had a number of business benefits.

We thought we should try it because there was a gap for it in this part of Somerset. Despite the 75-ish sq ft floor area here, we now have over 200 lines held in both gravity silos and large jars.

The amount of space it has freed up in the main shop has been a big bonus. We used to have lots of dried cereals, pulses etc in bags. The bags were hard to stand up and forever falling off, and they were taking up three whole shelving units. Now we can use them for something else.

From a stocking perspective, topping up silos from 25kg bags simplifies ordering and gives you a much better idea of what’s selling and what’s not working.

Footfall has been the other big contribution. The room has brought in customers, who didn’t shop with us before. And once they’re in, they might browse the rest of the shop and pick up some other items.

Once something’s dispensed we can’t put it back, so there is wastage due to customers – thankfully we’ve only had one £11 bag of pine nuts abandoned at the till! – but overall it has been a very good addition.

In our stores we’re big on the refills – we’ve got them in all four of our outlets – and it goes well for us. It varies by location as to what lines do best, but across the board, they perform well. There’s an increasing number of producers out there offering zero-waste options now.

We’ve always wanted that as part of our offer; we’ve got the usual dry goods, but we also do refill orange juice, wine and a range of cleaning products. Cleaning products is where we’ve seen the most growth, actually.

They're not an area where we make amazing margins, we find the customers who are looking for the environmental choices are looking for value for money as well. We take the opportunity to offer a reasonable price to the customers to get them in the habit of using the refills; they benefit, and it keeps them happy.

Because we’re premium food-led it’s not easy to get a lot of those items as refillable options, so we do stock both packaged and unpackaged lines, but they tend to serve different types of customer. We are cutting back on the prepackaged as and when we can and when it’s viable from a business perspective, but we do have a really wide range in the refills.

ZERO-WASTE SPECIAL

Zero-waste specialists Unpackaged and Cotswold Fayre have teamed up to create UnpackagedAT – a one-stop solution to help independent retailers reduce plastic packaging in-store. The system combines the refill systems with a bulk range – including nuts, pulses, dried fruits, grains and sweet treats – plus the company’s guidance through the installation process and beyond.

beunpackaged.com

Ecover offers its range of green cleaning products – including washing-up liquid, laundry detergent and hand soaps – to zerowaste retailers, even trialling its branded refill station in Sainsbury’s.

Retailers can purchase large bags or tubs of the brand’s products as well as the pumps, taps and accessories necessary direct from the manufacturer.

ecover.com

Newton Print is a family-run packaging printing company, specialising in biodegradable, recyclable, shortrun packaging for the food and drinks industry. It has an MOQ of 250 which has proved popular with startups and SMEs. The company has recently been certified to the World Land Trust Carbon Balanced scheme, meaning packing can be produced carbon neutral.

newtonprint.co.uk

Geami is a sustainable paperbased wrapping material from Ranpak. Geami is 100% paper-based. It’s non-toxic, biodegradable, renewable, easy to recycle and FSC certified.

The 3D structure is created on-demand to save on storage and reduce transport and handling. One pallet of Geami material equals 9.8 pallets of Bubble Wrap material.

ranpak.com

BREAKING IT DOWN

With the rapid development of new packaging materials, what is meant by the term ‘compostable’ can be a mine eld for consumers

IN RECENT YEARS, under pressure from the public to cut plastic pollution, a number of supermarkets have introduced ‘biodegradable’ plastic bags. While on the surface this may seem like a step in the right direction, dig a little deeper and not is all as green as it seems.

A recent report by The Green Alliance into the grocery sector’s actions on packaging stated that some companies that had trialled compostable bags found they did not degrade as expected, other reports have found they carry a higher carbon footprint than their traditional counterparts and, most importantly, it is still a plastic bag – only one that more e ciently breaks down into microplastics.

“Consumers… are hugely confused about what bio-based, compostable and biodegradable mean,” the report said.

Some producers who have committed to truly biodegradable, plastic-free packaging have called for greater clarity to help the 85% of consumers who are concerned about plastic pollution.

“It can be hard for people to distinguish between all the terms that are thrown around,” says Tobias Taylor of Voyager Co ee, a Dartmoor-based roastery that uses fully plantbased packaging. “There are a lot of products that say they’re compostable, and you think are good for the environment, but a lot of it is plastic with an enzyme in that breaks it down into smaller bits of plastic.”

A er a lengthy period of R&D, in 2018 Voyager switched its packaging to a compostable, vegetable starch-based material, PLA. The bags will break down in a home composter and eventually become a “soil improver” says Taylor.

Another producer whose product proudly bears a ‘compostable’ label is Herefordshire crisp-maker Two Farmers. The brand has recently altered its bags to increase shelf life, but in doing so has added a few weeks to the break-down time of the material, which has – in the eyes of independent testing organisation TUV – deemed the product industrially, not home-compostable.

“This shows the pitfalls with compostable packaging,” says Sean Mason, co-founder. “The problem is that TUV, which is the main accreditor for compostability, wrongly doesn’t give a tiered

system of home ZERO-WASTE SPECIAL compostability. It either is or isn’t.” We’re going to be changing our packaging

The brand received materials for shipping our bottles. We had some backlash a er always used cardboard, but the price has just kept launching the packaging, creeping up. We’ve had a price rise of 8% already with its customers this year and we’ve been told there’s more to come, claiming the move was a cost-saving exercise But, a er a social media so we looked at what else we could be doing. A lot of people use shrink wrap instead of cardboard, but I’d always said no to it because it’s plastic – not a good thing. But I started looking intocampaign and a few it and there are a lot of manufacturers now who are phone calls, they were making biodegradable shrink wrap. And as I delved brought around. “They WILL DOBSON, a bit deeper into the eco-credentials of cardboard, want the extended shelf owner, from a carbon footprint point of view it doesn’t life and a small increase Hill Farm Juice stack up. It takes up a vast amount of space in terms in composting time is of storage and shipping – one pallet of shrink wrap acceptable to them. The is the equivalent of eight pallets of cardboard. Using cardboard, you can fit problem lies with the accreditation.” Mason has called 70 cases on a pallet, and you can fit 75 on using shrink wrap. Scaling that up it doesn’t take much to reduce warehousing requirements and shipping costs. Additionally, the cost of biodegradable shrink wrap is about half that of cardboard, so it stacks up on eco credentials as well as financially, for greater clarity to which makes it a bit of a no brainer. help those wanting to make a di erence with their purchasing power. “To have a product that not only possible, is 100% home compostable that you can’t call but viable – and, home compostable is madness.” Taylor takes the view, however, that the To have a most importantly, sustainable. And only important piece of information for the product that that’s the key consumer is what initial ingredients go into the packaging. “If you start with plant matter and is 100% home word for Taylor. “In any end with something that improves the soil or has zero negative e ect on it, then the timeline of compostable industry, not just food and drink, complete composting is secondary.” As long as you get your messaging right, he that you can’t if an aspect of your business says, your customers will understand what you’re call home isn’t sustainable, trying to do. Voyager has an industrial composter on site, o ering the option to return any used compostable whether that’s packaging or bags for those who don’t have a home composter. Both brands are pioneers in their respective is madness. the product you produce, in the industries, though, proving to others that this end, it is going to kind of model (of business and of packaging) is have to change.”

PLANT-BASED PACKAGING

Voyager Coffee

1

Paper layer between two layers of PLA (polylactic acid) sheeting – a plastic-like material produced from renewable starchy plants, and a hardened PLA valve to extend shelf life

2

95% sugar cane waste, 5% cotton and hemp mix to give a better texture Biodegradable glues and inks Two Farmers

1

UK’s first 100% compostable and plastic-free crisp packet. Three layers of cellulose film with a double barrier layer to extend shelf life

2

Home compostable in between 26 and 38 weeks

Pure Canadian maple syrup – the 100% natural choice

Unre ned, unprocessed and sustainable, pure Canadian maple syrup is a completely natural sweetener in all kinds of recipes. And consumers are eating more of it too, according to the latest gures.

CHANGES TO LIFESTYLE during lockdown, with more time at home particularly for breakfasting and baking, have caused a signi cant increase in consumption of pure Canadian maple syrup among UK consumers, according to the latest gures from Maple from Canada UK.

The organisation, which represents the interests of maple syrup producers from Quebec, has reported an impressive 54.6% year-on-year increase in exports to the UK of Canadian maple syrup and associated products, such as maple spread (JanuaryNovember 2020).

According to a survey carried out among 1,000 adults by Maple from Canada, changing lifestyle habits during the rst lockdown and throughout the rest of 2020 have driven this.

Maple from Canada’s survey concluded that growth in maple syrup sales is mainly due to existing customers buying maple syrup more frequently rather than new customers. The proportion of users who claim to buy regularly has increased from 24% in 2019 to 32% in 2020, with 41% now buying maple syrup four times a year or more, compared to 31% in 2019.

Increased time at home has created more opportunities for these consumers to use maple syrup as a breakfast topping, in baking and other dishes.

Signi cantly more women were eating maple syrup regularly in 2020 compared to 2019 (18% vs 12%), with men only slightly increasing regular consumption in the same time period (13% vs 14%).

Previous research showed maple syrup was most likely to be eaten at breakfast time and this increased over lockdown with 58% of people eating breakfast at home more o en. It was most commonly used on pancakes and wa es during lockdown, but this is less pronounced than in 2019, with more people now using it as a topping for cereals and porridge (13%) or in baking (14%).

DIFFERENT GRADES FOR DIFFERENT USES

100% pure Canadian maple syrup gives a depth of flavour that cheaper alternatives such as maple syrup blended with sugar syrup do not have. Maple comes in four different grades, each with its own colour, characteristics and taste: Golden, with a delicate taste, Amber with a rich taste, Dark with a robust taste and Very Dark with a strong taste. The classification of maple syrup is based on its colour – which changes subtly throughout the spring harvest – and its flavour profile. This helps consumers choose the best syrup for their cooking plans, safe in the knowledge the product is 100% pure and of consistently high quality.

When asked about new usages, respondents mentioned baking cakes and apjacks frequently, with 35% baking more than usual, 34% having more snacks and 32% having more treats. This was caused by having more time to experiment, wanting to try new things and to treat themselves and family.

Those who increased their usage of maple syrup during lockdown were much more likely to have changed shopping habits, compared to the total population, with 48% doing bigger, less frequent shopping, 45% shopping online more and 80% being more careful how they spend money.

Since the pandemic began, users have started to think of maple syrup as a “favourite treat”, with 49% of those who increased their usage, saying they now see maple syrup as a comfort food. There was also increased appreciation of its nutritional bene ts with 42% of those who increased their usage saying they feel it is a healthier alternative to sugar.

Pure Canadian maple syrup supplied to the UK from Quebec, whether branded or private label goes through a robust checking procedure. This is to ensure that it is a 100% concentrated maple sap, free of fermentation - meeting the highest requirements for taste, aroma, colour and clarity. Quebec is the only region to carry out these rigorous checks.

Maple from Canada UK is the consumer arm of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. Quebec supplies 72% of the world’s maple syrup and is home to more than 11,300 maple syrup producers. Founded in 1966, QMSP represents producers and works to regulate prices and quality, and to negotiate fair trade deals as well as promoting maple products on an international stage.

Very sweet and a little savoury

This month’s round-up of new launches takes in a trio of NPD hotbeds. We start with jams & preserves, followed by savoury snacks (page 33) and nally chocolate & confectionery (page 37).

Compiled by Lynda Searby

Nut butter for boosting stamina and resilience

Since creating its Long Range Fuel nut butter for endurance athletes, Resilient Nutrition says it has realised that the formulation is “just as valuable to tired parents trying to homeschool, health workers on a night shift or hard-charging executives wanting to work and play hard”. The butter comes in different variations, such as Energise with added caffeine and Calm with ashwagandha – an ancient medicinal herb. RRP £7.99 for a small jar.

resilientnutrition.com

It might not be for traditionalists, but there is no doubting the taste credentials of The Proper

Marmalade Company’s

newest flavour, Espresso Martini. This boozy marmalade – which delivers a clean, bitter blast of espresso reinforced with a generous slug of vodka – picked up a Great Taste 3-star award shortly after its launch in 2020. RRP £4.25 for 225g.

thepropermarmalade company.co.uk

Argentinian born Cintia Yankelevich is quite literally, Vegan Crazy. Her Surrey start-up has ‘veganised’ a caramel spread called Dulce de Leche that is very popular in South America. She describes her version as “creamy, sticky and totally decadent”, with a mild aroma of coconut and a rich caramel colour. RRP £5.50 for 220g or £7.50 for 345g.

vegancrazy.co.uk

Meridian’s new Gingernut Butter blends ginger and cinnamon extracts with smooth peanut butter and agave syrup. The nut butter is palm oil-free, suitable for vegans and free from added sugar and sweeteners. For every jar sold, Meridian is donating 25p to help support our ginger cousin, the orangutan, through International Animal Rescue. RRP £2.29 for 170g.

shop.meridianfoods.co.uk

The Fruity Kitchen has been making jams, curds and marmalade by hand in North Yorkshire since 2008, and has just added three new recipes to its collection. Rhubarb & Organic Vanilla Jam, Seville & Pink Gin Marmalade and Black Cherry & Brandy Preserve are available in a variety of sizes, from mini 28g jars to 3kg catering pails.

thefruitykitchen.co.uk

Passionfruit Preserve launched in summer 2020 as a limited edition but has proved so popular it is now a permanent fixture. As with all Single Variety Co preserves, it is packed full of fruit and contains less sugar than traditional jams. RRP £6.25 for 225g.

singlevariety.co.uk

Stefania Calugi collaborated with Michelin-starred chef Marco Stabile to create its Maestri del Tartufo collection. Caramellatte with truffle is a velvety cream with summer truffle made by slowly cooking milk and brown sugar. RRP £9.20 for 110g.

tartufi.it

Cottage Delight is hoping to capitalise on the current home-baking craze with its new Pink Grapefruit All Butter Curd. Sweet, creamy and tangy, the citrus curd can be stirred through yoghurt, drizzled over cheesecake or added to crêpes. RRP £3.99 for 315g.

cottagedelight.co.uk

Greek food importer Maltby & Greek has tracked down a range of grape juice sweetened spreads made from fresh fruit grown in Western Macedonia. A high fruit content – for every 100g of final product, 150g of fresh fruit is used – means there is no compromise on sweetness. Flavours include black cherry with rose water, peach, plum, strawberry, apricot and fig. RRP £4.90; wholesale price £3.62.

maltbyandgreek.com

Seggiano has taken Italy’s signature fruit and created a collection of extra jam fruit conserves that are characterised by a high fruit content, minimal heat processing and minimal, or zero, added sugar. All the recipes are “clean”, comprising ingredients such as cane sugar and lemon juice with no added pectin. Choose from Sicilian Grapefruit, Sicilian Mandarin and Calabrian Fig. RRPs £4.55-£5 for 225g.

seggiano.com

Moroccan-inspired nut butter brand Yumello has blended peanut butter with smoked paprika, chilli, dates and sea salt. The producer says it developed the Smoky Harissa Peanut Butter in response to changes in usage occasions – consumers are not only spreading peanut butter on toast, but also adding it to smoothie bowls and main meals. RRP £2.95. Trade case price £13.26 (6 x 250g).

yumello.com

Hot off the hob from The Artisan Kitchen in Gloucester are two new jams that use British produce. Rhubarb Jam is a soft-set recipe prepared with over 200g of local Worcestershire forced rhubarb per jar, while the producer’s high-fruit Damson Jam is made with fruit from The Three Counties. RRP £5.50 for 200g.

theartisankitchen.co.uk

Launching this month, Stem Ginger Jam and Orange Marmalade with Molasses & Rum are two new sophisticated preserves to come out of Ouse Valley’s East Sussex kitchen. The producer recommends using the jam as the topping for cheesecake made with a ginger biscuit base and the marmalade as a “deeply flavoured breakfast treat”. RRP £4.60 for 227g.

ousevalleyfoods.com

Welsh bakery and café CRWST has translated some of the recipes used in its bakes and brunch dishes into retail format. Products available for wholesale via Blas ar Fwyd include Welsh Honey Butter – which combines Welsh honey, Welsh butter, Welsh cream and locally sourced sea salt (RRP £6.75) – and palm oil-free Hazelnut Chocolate Spread (RRP £6).

crwst.cymru

Thursday Cottage has added Orange with Gin Marmalade and Lemon Curd to its growing organic offering. The lemon curd (RRP £3.20) is rich dark golden with a smooth consistency, while the marmalade sets oranges, lemon and a hint of gin. RRP £3.

thursday-cottage.com

Choc Haz Braz Treenut Butter is Nutcessity’s take on a chocolate hazelnut spread but without the “usual ultra-sweet flavour”. Made from organic hazelnuts, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, cacao and dates, the peanut-free spread has an RRP of £5.59.

nutcessity.co.uk

The Carved Angel in Devon has launched a trio of marmalades that feature fruit from the world’s top citrus origins. Italian Wild Lemon Marmalade, Sicilian Blood Orange Marmalade and Floridian Pink Grapefruit Marmalade have an RRP of £3.99 to £4.25 for 215g.

thecarvedangel.com

Light and crisp with a satisfying crunch

Pea Pops is on a mission to prove that it is possible to produce a “healthy crisp with absolutely no compromise on taste”. Its chickpea-based snacks have a 20% protein content, are high in fibre, provide less than 100 calories per serving and contain 60% less fat than regular crisps because they are popped not fried. RRP 99p for a 23g bag; £1.99 for an 80g sharing pack.

peapops.co.uk

Just This has liberated cheese from the chiller, creating a range of pure-cheese snacks that can be kept at ambient temperatures. The crunchy, dehydrated cheese balls are said to deliver all the benefits of cheese (low carb, high protein, high calcium) but in an on-the-go format that doesn’t require refrigeration. Choose from Cheddar, Emmental and Semi-Cured.

justthis-snacks.com

The cauliflower trend, which caters to consumers making healthier choices, has made it into the snacking space, thanks to Ayrshire trailblazer Nudie Snacks. The Scottish producer has created Cauliflower Crisps from “wonky” cauliflower that would otherwise be discarded. Low in sugar and high in fibre, they represent a healthier, more mindful snacking option. RRP 99p for 22g; £2.25 for 80g.

nudiesnacks.co.uk

Cheese Nibbles have been treated to a pack redesign for 2021. Emmental Amulets, Parmesan & Chilli Sables, Pistachio & Parmesan Sables and Stilton & Almond Sables. still come in reusable, recyclable pots but are now sporting a wraparound cardboard sleeve.

cheesenibbles.co.uk

Abakus has developed Seaweed Crisps. Nori seaweed (the type used in sushi) is coated with a thin layer of tapioca to produce a crunchy, gluten-free, vegan, high-fibre snack that provides a source of iodine and around 100 calories per bag. RRP £1.29.

abakusfoods.com

Cracker and crispbread brand, Peter’s Yard, is making its foray in the bagged snacks arena, launching a new range of baked sourdough snacks with an accent on provenance.

Pitched as a healthier alternative to crisps, Sourdough Bites contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives and 60% less fat than regular potato crisps, providing fewer than 100 calories per serving (26g).

They are made with natural ingredients such as Shipton Mill flour, British rapeseed oil and the Peter’s Yard signature 16-hour fermented sourdough starter. The bites are handbaked until crisp and golden and then dusted with three seasonings: Suffolk Cyder Vinegar & Sea Salt, Anglesey Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper and West Country Sour Cream & Chive.

RRP £2.35 per sharing bag (90g).

petersyard.com

Real Handful has entered the roasted nut space with an air-baked range that champions the good fats inherent in nuts.

The company’s new “Craft Baked” nuts feature Californian almonds and hi-oleic peanuts, which contain more monounsaturated ‘good’ fats than standard peanuts.

“With some consumers concerned about levels of fat in salted peanuts in particular we want to help to address this concern by championing the ‘good fats’ in these amazing ingredients, using the most naturally functional varieties available,” says Joe Taylor, founder of Real Handful.

Founded in 2016 by Joe and Carly Taylor, Real Handful already markets trail mixes and protein bars.

RRP £1.50-£2 for 112g.

realhandful.com

Made for Drink continues its quest to conceive snacks that pair with drinks, launching two potato crisp varieties in compostable sharing bags this month. Said to “mingle effortlessly with aperitvo”, Tapas Fries (125g) combine thin cut patatas fritas and Spanish chorizo slithers, while Chicken Salt Fries (150g), a British twist on an Australian snacking classic, is said to pair perfectly with cold beer. RRP £3.50.

madefordrink.com

Following the launch of its Thai-inspired spicy sauce brand last June, The Woolf’s Kitchen has moved into the snacking nut arena. They come in three flavours – Sticky Cayenne (cayenne spiced almonds, corn, cashews and a caramelised honey chilli peanut), Smoky Beast (smoked almonds and chilli peanuts) and Crafty Cocoa (caramelised cocoadusted peanuts). RRP £2.75 for a 70/80g bag.

thewoolfskitchen.com

Hampshire nut roaster Cambrook Foods has added two new mixes to its baked nut line-up. Available from March in 175g glass jars, Caramelised Mixed Nuts combines baked almonds, cashews and hazelnuts caramelised in a glaze, while Cocktail Mix № 2 is a traditional baked and salted mix of nuts including cashews, almonds, macadamias, pistachios, pecans. RPP £4.99.

cambrookfoods.co.uk

Midway between jerky and biltong but made with smoked salmon, Gilltong is the latest invention from The Pished Fish. The producer, known for its alcohol-infused smoked salmon, marinades sliced smoked salmon fillets in teriyaki, honey, Tabasco sauce and black pepper, then air-dries the slices until chewy, succulent and tender. The outcome is sweet, salty and a little bit spicy. RRP £5.49 (50g).

thepishedfish.com

2021 sees Pep and Lekker’s Seed Snacks relaunch in non-crinkly, recyclable pouches with several recipe refinements. Olive oil has replaced sunflower oil, the balance of Himalayan pink salt and chia seeds has been adjusted, and Apple & Cinnamon and Cacao & Coconut have benefitted from a dash of date syrup. All five varieties remain gluten-free, high in fibre and allergen-free. RRP £1.90 (30g).

pepandlekker.com

Sustainable crisp brand Two Farmers has joined forces with rare meat producer Tudges to develop its latest crisp flavour: Herefordshire Sausage & Mustard. The Tudge family has been rearing Berkshire pigs for over 20 years and the partnership fits with the Two Farmers’ planetfriendly philosophy. All of its crisps are packaged in plastic-free, compostable bags.

twofarmers.co.uk

Described as “roast dinner in a crisp”, new Lamb & Rosemary flavoured Kent Crisps are produced using lamb from Kent shepherd Marie Prebble, whose Romney sheep graze the fields of the family farm. RRP is £1 for a 40g pack, available to the trade via Curd & Cure.

kentcrisps.com

Tom’s Sauces has diversified into beef jerky to offset the drop in sauce sales that has resulted from the pandemic. The Scottish company’s six-strong range has been snapped up by retailers as far south as London. RRP £4; trade price £2.80.

curioussauces.co.uk

Native has become the latest brand to bring a popped lotus seed snack to market. Super Street Snacks Popped Lotus Seeds are said to offer more protein, fewer calories and less fat than popcorn and crisps. RRP £1.10 for 20g.

wearenativesnacks.com

While cheese is one of the most popular snack flavours, blue cheese rarely gets a look in. Now that is changing, thanks to the launch of Mature Blue Cheese Popcorn from Popcorn Shed. The flavour is pitched as the perfect partner to a glass of red or a G&T. RRP £3.50-£4 for an 80g shed.

popcornshed.com

Featuring ingredients such as Belgian chocolate and freeze-dried fruit, Popcorn Kitchen’s new Treat Bags are designed as an everyday treat. They come in three indulgent flavours – Salted Caramel, Chocolate Orange and White Chocolate & Raspberry – but only contain 140 calories per 30g bag. RRP £1.39.

popcornkitchen.co.uk

Sweet Lounge is moving its vegan gummy sweets into 65g compostable pouches. Initially, the plastic-free packaging will be adopted for its most popular lines, including Fruity Bears, Fizzy Blue Raspberry Bottles, Fizzy Strawberry Hearts and Fizzy Cola Bottles. All of these sweets are gluten-free and contain no artificial colours and flavours or animal products.

sweetlounge.co.uk

A London challenger has transformed a traditional sugar-packed confection into a nutrition-packed, energising treat. Say Yey nougat is said to contain up to 50% less sugar than other soft nougats, as well as providing a source of protein and a raft of nutrients through wholenut, berry and chia seed inclusions. Varieties include Black Tea & Apricot, Rose & Almond and Matcha & Goji Berry.

sayyey.com

Chocolate maker Firetree has launched a taster collection that presents seven of its single-estate 25g bars in a gift box (RRP £19). Ranging from 69% to 100% cocoa, the selection provides the opportunity to sample chocolate from rare volcanic origins such as the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

firetreechocolate.com

The new Inclusions chocolate bar collection from Whitakers Chocolates takes in eight different flavours of chocolate with honeycomb. Lime & Sea Salt, Rhubarb & Ginger and Lemon & Cardamom are among the dark bars, whilst the milk chocolate varieties include Raspberry & Lavender and Smokey Salted Caramel. RRP £1.99 for 90g.

whitakerschocolates.com

Newcomer Happi claims to be filling a gap in the free-from category for an “ethically sourced” oat milk chocolate. Its naturallyflavoured bars are made with gluten-free oat milk and rice syrup for a “rich and creamy taste” and come in sustainable packaging. Happi is available in 40g and 80g bars in four flavours: Plain, Cacao Nib Crunch, Salted Caramel and Orange.

happifreefrom.com

80Noir Ultra, a new brand that is championing dark chocolate as healthy and nutritional, has developed a trio of training bars to support mental and physical performance. Packed with natural organic ingredients, the dark chocolate bars are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, palm-oil free and high in fibre. RRP is £4 for 40g; trade price £2.50.

80noirultra.com

In anticipation of spring and Mother’s Day, Dorset’s Solkiki has created a floral, fragrant white chocolate bar that sets umeboshi salt-pickled cherry blossom against a creamy bed of sakura leaf and fleur de sel. The dairy-free, organic Cherryleaf Latte bars use Japanese sakura cherry blossoms, which are salt-pickled at origin and impart a rich, mellow cherry blossom flavour. RRP £8; trade price £4.

solkiki.co.uk

Dr. Coy’s has reinvented its patented Nutritional Chocolate Bar to focus on its sustained energy benefits. As well as being high in fibre and vitamin E, the 54% Belgian chocolate bar is said to prevent “sugar spikes” by keeping blood glucose levels low. The three new varieties – Hazelnut Caramel, Orange Crisp and Vanilla Crisp – have an RRP of £1.99 for 35g.

drcoys.ie

Joe & Seph’s has celebrated its 10th birthday by releasing limited edition Cinnamon Roll Popcorn. Caramel, cinnamon and custard combine to deliver a sweet and creamy flavour with an aromatic finish. RRP is £4 for 80g; trade price £2.35.

joeandsephs.co.uk

Vegan confectionery company Booja-Booja has released an Easter edition of its bestselling chocolate truffle collection (RRP £9.99). The 16-piece box features five different truffles: Hazelnut Crunch, Almond Salted Caramel, Around Midnight Espresso, Rhubarb & Vanilla Fool and Stem Ginger.

boojabooja.com

Holdsworth Chocolates is wooing vegan and vegetarian chocolate-lovers with a new plant-based gift box. The 110g ‘Bee Friendly’ collection comes in 100% recyclable packaging and contains an assortment of dark chocolates and truffles. RRP £10; wholesale price £5.

holdsworthchocolates.co.uk

Guppy’s has launched three varieties of its milk chocolate shards in 120g re-sealable pouches, featuring British wildlife and landscape designs. Salted Caramel, Honeycomb and Fudge & Biscuit shards are available in the new format. RRP £2.90; trade £1.70.

guppyschocolatewholesale. co.uk

Iberica says it is the only UK importer of Bombones Valcorchero’s traditional Spanish chocolate figs. Dried figs are filled with hazelnut chocolate and then dipped in either white or dark chocolate. The Sykos Blanc and Sykos Noir collections have an RRP of £11.95 for a 195g box.

ibericafood.com