HERSHEY, PA. -- The Hershey Co.is expanding its portfolio across the snacking continuum. It plans to introduce a lineup of products with simple and familiar ingredients, such as Brookside Fruit & Nut Bars.
Available in August, these snack bars will contain no high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or colors and be gluten-free. The snack bars are made with real fruit, whole roasted almonds, rolled oats, pumpkin seeds and signature Brookside dark chocolate. Brookside Crunchy Clusters Almonds and Berry Flavor will launch in December and expand the Brookside Crunchy Clusters portfolio.
The company also has introduced Krave gourmet-inspired, natural jerky as part of the Hershey portfolio. With the acquisition of Krave, Hershey is entering the $2.5-billion meat-snacks industry. Krave jerky offers consumers protein-based, portable nutrition.
Snack Bites are a mix of nuts and Hershey’s confection brands. Snack Mixes are a combination of sweet, salty, crunchy and creamy tastes in Hershey’s and Reese’s varieties. Both product lines will be available in August in portion-controlled tube packs designed for on-the-go snacking and one-handed eating.
Other new product include Hershey’s Caramels and Lancaster Butterscotch and Caramel Soft Crèmes.
Hershey featured these and other innovations at the 2015 NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago this month.
“Consumers are at the heart of all we do at Hershey and we are focused on driving innovation that anticipates changing consumer preferences,” said Michele Buck, president of North America for The Hershey Co. “We are excited to share our latest innovations ranging from cutting-edge technology to an expanded portfolio that includes new snacking products.”
The intersection of technology and consumers’ desire for customization is changing their experiences with confection and foods. 3-D printing is at the forefront of this shift with its nearly endless customization capability. Hershey has partnered with 3D Systems, the industry’s leading 3-D printing company, to introduce 3-D printed chocolate.
A finalist in Engadget’s Best of the Consumer Electronics Show awards, this food technology can make intricate designs and custom shapes, such as faces, animals, buildings and logos that are not possible with traditional chocolate molding.
The printer made its public debut at a live 3-D chocolate printing exhibition at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction in Hershey, Pa., last year. Hershey has since evolved the technology based on consumer feedback and the latest iteration 3-D chocolate printer was on display at the expo. The printer will be part of a permanent exhibit at Hershey’s Chocolate World Attraction beginning later this year.
Hershey is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other snacks. The Hershey, Pa.-based company, which has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, includes such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Hershey is focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to build its competitive advantage in North America.
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