what to stock – In the Aisle By Jenna Blumenfeld | Photos by Jennifer Olson
Stylist: Nicole Dominic
20 new products to make your store a holiday hotspot
finds
Dreams of rosy cheeks and flying reindeer may be difficult to muster when barbecue sauce and s’mores ingredients are still front and center. But with the holidays accounting for as much as 20 percent to 40 percent of a retailer’s annual sales, according to Kathy Grannis, senior media director at the National Retail Federation, it’s a good idea to start prepping your end-of-year ordering plan. Already natural manufacturers are gearing up for the frigid season with exceptional new foods and beverages spiked with cozy, warming ingredients such as fresh ginger, cinnamon, maple syrup, cayenne and chocolate—lots and lots of chocolate. ’Tis the season for indulgence—don’t miss our “Sweet” section, page 18. But your natural shoppers won’t compromise their food values even when seeking coveted holiday treats. Our following festive picks will spark consumer interest with responsibly sourced ingredients, formulations that are friendly to special-diet eaters, minimally processed blends and enhanced nutrition. Go ahead, place these jolly products on your holiday list—and be sure to check it twice. ➪
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August 2014 Natural Foods Merchandiser - NFM
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In the Aisle – what to stock
Cheers! Raise a glass NibMor 6 Spice Drinking Chocolate
Stylist: Nicole Dominic
Forget the instants of the past and stock an ethically sourced, deep and robust drinking chocolate instead. USDA Organic and fair trade, spices like cayenne, fennel, cloves and anise lend an unexpected delectableness that stands out from conventional ho-hum hot cocoa blends. SRP: $1.49
Reed’s Flying Cauldron Butterscotch Beer Your Harry Potter-obsessed nephews and nieces will delight over this non-alcoholic and caffeine-free Butterbeer-inspired treat. Pour the cane sugar- and stevia-sweetened sparkling beverage over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for true magic. SRP: $6.35 per 4-pack
Califia Farms Holiday Nog Pure Almondmilk Savor Califia’s signature non-dairy almond milk, pumped with a seasonal dash of nutmeg and other eggnog-y flavors. Add a smidgen of rum or bourbon and you’ve got some true holiday cheer. SRP: $3.99
Bhakti Chai Fiery Masala Chai This finger-thawing, ultraspicy dried tea combats frigid winter weather and comes packaged in elegant silk bags. The ginger-infused chai is fair trade and Non-GMO Project Verified, and is also available as Rooibos Chai, Yerba Mate Chai and Green Tea Tulsi Chai. SRP: $9.99
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NFM - Natural Foods Merchandiser August 2014
Tea Pigs Spiced Winter Red Tea Your customers will want to curl up by the fire with a steaming mug of this essence-of-winter flavor: caffeine-free redbush tea mulled with cozy ingredients including orange peel, ginseng, cinnamon and safflower petals. SRP: $9.99
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In the Aisle – what to stock
Mix it up Zema’s Black Bean Brownie Bites
You’d never guess that these chewy, USDA Organic chocolate chip cookies contain healthful ancient grains such as nutty farro, spelt and Kamut wheat. Also try Madhava’s recently launched Better Baking Blend, made with organic cane sugar, coconut sugar and vanilla extract. SRP: $6.19
Stylist: Nicole Dominic
Add ½ cup of black beans to this mixture of teff, sorghum and tapioca flours, flaxseed meal and hemp, and you’ll be rewarded with moist, fiber-rich chocolate cupcakes suitable for vegans and gluten-free eaters. SRP: $6.99 to $8.99
Madhava Mmm… Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Morsels Lillabee Everyday All Purpose Flour Use this Colorado company’s mixture of rice, potato and tapioca flours for all your gluten-free holiday baking endeavors. Free from dairy, oats, soy and nuts, this allergyfriendly 1:1 flour replacement also makes a mean piecrust. SRP: $5.99
Spread good tidings to all with baked goods made with these dairy, nut, gluten and soy-free chocolate chips. Vegan and nonGMO, these morsels contain just two straightforward ingredients: unsweetened chocolate and cane sugar. SRP: $4.99
Zulka Brown Pure Cane Sugar Now chewy gingerbread cookies can be sustainable, too. Sourced from small family farms, unrefined Zulka sugar is milled using electricity converted from leftover cane fiber. Plus, it’s one of the few Non-GMO Project Verified brown sugars on the market. SRP: $0.89 to $1.19
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NFM - Natural Foods Merchandiser August 2014
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In the Aisle – what to stock
Clearly convenient Cucina Antica Cranberry Sauce
Stylist: Nicole Dominic
Don’t stock that homogenous, tasteless canned cranberry sauce. This artisan condiment is expertly crafted with cranberries, apples, orange peels, lemon, cinnamon, cloves and more. SRP: $6.99 to $7.99
Ancient Harvest Maple Morning With 5 grams protein per serving, these new breakfast packets—filled with glutenfree oats, quinoa, millet and amaranth—are a wholesome start to the day. The Maple Morning flavor evokes memories of snowy Christmas mornings. SRP: $6.99
Blake’s Gluten-Free Chicken Pot Pie Help your customers avert guest disaster by promoting Blake’s personalsize organic cornbread-topped potpie. They will please any gluten-free dinner attendee. Antibiotic-free chicken simmered with garden veggies is special enough for a holiday main. SRP: $3.99
Terrapin Ridge Farms Cinnamon, Clove Tomato Jam Thick and velvety, this savory-sweet spiced jam is just the thing to soften holiday Scrooges and Grinches. Smear onto small toasts, and pair with a creamy cheese. Also try Terrapin’s autumnal Pumpkin Mustard. SRP: $8.00
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NFM - Natural Foods Merchandiser August 2014
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In the Aisle – what to stock
Stylist: Nicole Dominic
How sweet it is
Earth Balance Popps Dark Chocolate & Cinnamon Crunchy whole grain oats and popcorn, spiked with peanuts, dark chocolate, almonds and agave syrup, make for an addictive, seasonal snack. SRP: $5.99
Dancing Deer Baking Co. Peppermint Trees Old-fashioned, crisp and snappy shortbread cookies, styled into pine tree or star shapes, dazzle when plucked from a cookie jar. Made simply with straightforward ingredients (wheat flour, butter, sugar, cage-free eggs). SRP: $5.49 to $5.99
Angie’s Holidrizzle Iced Gingerbread Kettle Corn Popcorn is even more extraordinary when it’s draped in white frosting enriched with celebratory spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Share this covetable, gluten-free meltin-your-mouth snack with all. SRP: $4.19
Theo Chocolate Nutcracker Brittle Inspire visions of sugarplums by stocking this 70 percent dark chocolate bar. Fair for Life-certified cocoa, studded with almonds and hazelnuts, is a deep and satisfying indulgence. SRP: $4.00
Chunkie Dunkies Chocolate Chip Mint A healthier take on the holiday cookie, these tender, raw cookies contain beneficial ingredients such as almonds, organic sprouted buckwheat groats, cacao, coconut oil, maple syrup and more. We promise—they’re delicious! SRP: $6.99 to $7.99
Pur Cinnamon Gum Perfect for any rendezvous beneath the mistletoe, Pur’s breath-freshening cinnamonflavored gum is free from aspartame. These packets are also stocking-stuffer sized. SRP: $1.69
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NFM - Natural Foods Merchandiser August 2014
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