Nosh Staff

This year’s NACS trade show featured a wide range of innovation in fruit, vegetable and protein-powered snacks — including new single-serve sizes ripe for c-store placement. In this gallery, we highlight a handful of new products from the show that forecast a future of wellness-minded on-the-go snacking.

Chris Kirby, founder/president of Ithaca Craft Hummus, spoke about how he identified white space in the hummus category and what he learned during four years of operating his own production facility. He also urged entrepreneurs to be thoughtful about their retail relationships and deliberate about expenses, and discussed why he hires people that are highly self-sufficient.

This year’s annual National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) trade show featured a variety of protein plays — from zero-sugar jerky to new bean and lentil snacks. In this gallery, we feature some of the newest protein plays spotted on the show floor.

Eat Nice Foods co-founder Paul Cantagallo aims to take animals out of the food system by creating plant-based replacements for traditional pastas and meals. The mission-driven company has launched with two flavors of vegan ravioli with future plans to enter new categories.

Eat Nice Foods co-founder Paul Cantagallo aims to take animals out of the food system by creating plant-based replacements for traditional pastas and meals. The mission-driven company has launched with two flavors of vegan ravioli with future plans to enter new categories.

Adam Hamilton is the COO of Nuttin Ordinary, a company crafting cashew cheese with simple and clean ingredients. The proprietary process utilizes steel tanks to ferment and culture the ingredients with a blend of probiotics, while steering clear of oils, gums and added sugar.

With the changing of seasons has come plenty of new products, from quick meal options from Keen One Quinoa and Mike’s Mighty Good, to new condiments from Tessamae’s to several new cannabis and CBD-infused offerings. Check out the gallery to see notable new releases that hit shelves this September, including the latest from Nature’s Earthly Choice, ReGrained and NOSH Live Pitch Slam winner Small Axe Peppers.

Greg Vetter, the co-founder/CEO of organic dressing brand Tessemae’s, spoke about the huge wins and unexpected losses from his first decade in business. He also explained why his “positively intense” approach is not for everyone, the dangers of bad employees and advisors, and why he believes that “the key to this game is surrounding yourself with people that you really trust.”

Unbun Foods founder Gus Klemos has taken his keto and paleo baking project to 2000 locations in less than two years. The brand makes low-carb and grain-free buns, baguettes, pizza crust, tortillas and bread using clean ingredients like nuts, seeds and oils.

The plant-based trend continued to thrive at Natural Products Expo East 2019, with brands launching new innovations across all categories. From vegan breakfast burritos to oat milk butter to paleo plant pudding, brands spread into all areas of the store with their latest plant-based offerings.