SkinnyDipped

For years, leaders of the biggest packaged food manufacturers have been studying – and, in some cases, acquiring – emerging brands to gain insights on how to “innovate like a startup” with a focus on speed, agility and disruption. We spoke to industry experts about what Big CPG can teach brands at the entrepreneurial level, from product development strategies to mindset.

Many brands took to this year’s Expo West to highlight rebrands and packaging refreshes across existing products and formats. Check out this gallery for the fresh new looks.

The mother and daughter-founded snack brand, SkinnyDipped, is delighted to announce their social impact partnership with the actor and social activist, Forest Whitaker and his Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI).

Confection and nut brand SkinnyDipped raised $12 million, according to an announcement today. The round saw participation from both notable individuals and venture entities associated with celebrities and entrepreneurs.

This week’s roundup of new products saw brands venturing into new categories, creating better-for-you sweet treats and getting a head start on winter seasonals.

From Christmas in July-themed iced tea to sweet & spicy peanuts and fruit-based vinegars, this week’s new food innovations cover a wide range of categories. Check out this gallery for notable new items, including a line of premium cooking and pairing sauces that feature vine-ripened New Jersey tomatoes from Colicchio and new frozen pizza options from Healthy Choice.

Given rising interest in the confection category amid large exits from brands like Lily’s and Smart Sweets, it’s perhaps no surprise that several brands exhibiting at Expo West debuted new form factors and sales strategies as they attempt to stand out in the competitive set.

SkinnyDipped, maker of insanely delicious sweet snacks with less sugar and no dirty secrets, announced the national expansion of its line of thinly-coated almonds and cashews into Walmart. 

The confection aisle is a tough nut to crack but SkinnyDipped believes it has the perfect recipe with its emphasis on clean ingredient decks, indulgence and lower-sugar formulations. Last week, the company announced that it would add to its flagship line of coated nuts, launching a new line of nut butter cups and chocolate bars.

In this episode of Category Closeup, NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and reporter Erin Cabrey will interview executives and brand leaders from emerging confection companies to discuss company strategy, and how changes within the category affect new product development and marketing.

Breezy Griffith, co-founder and CEO of fast-growing coated nut brand Skinny Dipped, spoke about why persistence was critical in landing the brand’s first retail accounts, how guts and guile got the products into the office pantries of Google and Microsoft.

Category enhancement and reinvention often comes into view through product innovations scheduled to be seen at Expo West. Here’s a look at the latest products that companies plan to use to redefine sweeter snacks options, across bars, cookies and confection.

SkinnyDipped Almonds, creator of real, mindful, insanely delicious snacks made with only high-quality ingredients and none of the bad stuff, today announced the launch of two new flavors, Super Dark + Sea Salt and Lemon Bliss.