After the 2017 Natural Products Expo West show, we highlighted numerous trends in our 2017 Expo West Trends Report. Last week, we had boots on the ground at the 2017 Expo East show and we noted that many of those trends are continuing to expand. We’ll feature growth in these areas below:
- A Better Swap
- Energy Through Fat
- Clear Constraint Call-Out
- Interplay Between Beauty, Supplements & Food
- The Four M’s
Click here to see The Garage Group’s 2017 Expo West: Natural Food, Beverage, & Beauty Summary Report
A Better Swap. Consumers love their current food forms and formats, but are looking for ways to make their forms/formats healthier. These swaps are great because they come with built-in consumer consumption occasion understanding.
Tolerant Foods Legume Pasta. Tolerant Foods makes high-protein legume pasta like Chickpea Pasta, Green Lentil and Kale Pasta, and Green Lentil and Beet Pasta with simple, clean ingredients. They’re perfect for kids, athletes, vegetarians, vegans, and those who have restricted diets.
*Hilary’s Millet Medleys. Hilary’s Millet Medleys took home a 2017 Nexty Award for Best New Frozen Product. These medleys put a spin on traditional pilaf by making them with gluten-free millet and other gluten-free ingredients. They have four varieties, all of them infused with different herbs and spices.
P.S. Snacks Cookie Dough. P.S. Snacks, based in Washington, DC, is just getting their start but their vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free raw cookie dough was a hit at the show. Made with either chickpeas or black beans as the base, these cookie doughs are an indulgent treat while still being nutrient dense.
Energy Through Fat. “Healthy fat” is a phrase heard constantly in the natural food space. Consumers have been told to cut the sugar and up the fats, but to make sure it’s the right kind of fat.
Picnik Butter Coffee. Picnik got their start in Austin, TX with a food trailer turned restaurant but they wanted a way to offer their butter coffee to the masses. Their butter coffee is shelf-stable and contains grass-fed butter, MCT oil, organic coffee, grass-fed whey, and maple syrup.
Anita’s Coconut Yogurt. This is dairy-free yogurt alternative that every Instagram Influencer wants to get their hands on. Anita’s is full fat and is made from unprocessed coconut milk. It also contains four probiotic strains that aid in digestion.
Forager Good Plant Fat Drinks and Yogurt. Forager plans to launch their Good Plant Fat Drinks and Yogurt later this year. They’ve beefed up their traditional ‘cashewgurt’ by adding coconut and therefore increasing the healthy fat. They’ve also added five new drinks to their line, each with 15g of fat or more.
Clear Constraint Call-Out. Brands know their consumers want transparency and they want to see clear labels right on the front of the package. Consumers want to easily be able to distinguish if a product is for them, and labeling with dietary compliance (like Whole30 or Paleo) can be a helpful shortcut.
Paleo Powder Seasoning. This company has developed seasoning blends that support specific dietary needs and put those right on the front of their packaging. They recently added an AIP (Autoimmune Paleo) blend and a FODMAP blend to their line, making these blends accessible to people with some of the most restrictive dietary constraints.
*Yai’s Thai Thai Almond Sauce. Yai’s Thai created their own take on a traditional peanut sauce so that those who follow a Paleo or Whole30 lifestyle can still dress their (veggie!) noodles. Sweetened with only tamarind juice, consumers trying to cut down on added processed sugar will find this product appealing.
Kitchfix Grain-Free Waffles. Kitchfix kept their waffles grain- and nut-free using cassava and coconut flour, only sweetening with maple syrup. Labeled Paleo (3 times front of pack!), as well as non-GMO.
Interplay Between Beauty, Supplements, and Food. As we noted in the 2017 Expo West Report, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of what they’re putting into their bodies, as well as what they’re applying topically. We’re also seeing a surge in the number of products that are created for ingestion, but deliver physical or emotional benefits.
*Amazing Grass Beauty Elixir. This powder contains Amazing Grass’ classic greens grown on their farm in Kansas and gets a boost with adaptogenic herbs and functional ingredients helping to support the hair, skin, and nails.
Wildway Smoothie Bowl Starter Mixes. These mixes launched at Expo East and are made with probiotics as well as various adaptogens and herbs. Each of the four mixes has a different emotional benefit: Recover, Recharge, Restore, or Relax.
The Four M’s: Monk Fruit. We’re adding another M (previously maca, mushrooms and matcha). This sweetener is having a moment because it is keto-friendly. Also known as Luo Han Guo, it has zero glycemic index.
Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener. Non-GMO and 100% monkfruit when many other monkfruit sweeteners have additives. It’s reportedly 100x or 200x sweeter than sugar, so only a little is needed.
The Four M’s: Matcha. Even though Matcha has been around for thousands of years, it continues to grow in US prominence. Companies are adding it to everything and are using it to give their products an extra antioxidant boost.
Vital Proteins Matcha Collagen. Vital Proteins is already a leader in the supplement space and they launched numerous new products at the show. One is their new Matcha Collagen, in both Peach and Unflavored SKUs.
Product I’m Most Excited About – Renee
Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer. I already add coconut milk powder and collagen to my bulletproof coffee in the mornings, but this product combines the two separate ingredients into one handy, streamlined scoop.
Product I’m Most Excited About – Kat Downs of Crunchy Kat, Guest Blogger
Fourth and Heart Chocti Chocolate Ghee Spread. I’m always looking for healthy, indulgent treats and this new chocolate spread made with ghee is perfect. It’s so smooth and creamy and I’m already dreaming of topping my coconut ice cream with it.
*Notes Nexty Winner
