6 Snacks to Sell to the Gluten-Free, Keto-Following Customer

CHICAGO — Convenience stores are continuing to find ways to sell snacks that align with on-trend diets, including keto, gluten-free and plant-based diets.

“Clean eating” was the most widely cited diet in 2019, according to the International Food Information Council Foundation’s 2019 Food and Health Survey. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they have followed a diet in the past year—and clean eating, intermittent fasting, a gluten-free diet, a low-carb diet and a ketogenic or high-fat diet topped the list for the types of diets followed in 2019, according to the survey by the Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit.

Here are six new snacks that convenience-store operators can sell to bring in gluten-free and keto customers …

Hippeas Tortilla Chips are a chickpea-based snack that has 3 grams of protein and fiber per 1-ounce serving. The chips—which are USDA Certified Organic, gluten-free and vegan—come in Straight Up Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch and Jalapeno Vegan Cheddar.

Hippeas, New York, is also known for its Organic Chickpea Puffs.

Riverside Natural Foods, Toronto, has begun selling its GoodTo Go Soft Baked Bars in the United States. The keto-certified, gluten-free bars come in Cocoa Coconut, Vanilla Almond, Raspberry Lemon and Cinnamon Pecan. The snacks contain 3 grams of carbs, 2 grams of sugar and 13 grams of plant-based fats per bar.

A single bar has a suggested retail price of $2.99 and a box of nine bars has an SRP of $24.99.

Zenb Veggie Bites are bite-sized snacks that offer a full cup of vegetables per pouch. The bites are organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO, with no artificial colors or preservatives.

The Chicago-based company's new bites are available in Sweet Potato, Sweet Corn, Summer Beet, Edamame and Red Bell Pepper. Snack boxes can be purchased on zenb.com starting at $17.99 with a subscription.

Just the Cheese bars and mini bites are a keto-friendly, gluten-free snack with 75 calories per bar. Each is made from 100% Wisconsin cheese that is baked into the bars and bite-sized pieces.

The bars come in Aged Cheddar, Grilled Cheese, Jalapeno Cheese and Mild Cheddar flavors. The mini bites are available in White Cheddar, Wisconsin Cheddar, Grilled Cheese, Jalapeno Cheese and Garlic & Chive.

Just the Cheese is based in Reeseville, Wis.

No Grain Tortilla Chips and Organic Potato chips are Late July’s newest offerings.

The No Grain Tortilla Chips deliver the classic tortilla chip crisp but are not made with any grains, according to the company. The recipe uses ground tigernut flour blended with cassava flour and chia seeds. The chips are gluten-free, vegan and paleo.

The chips come in Sea Salt and Sea Salt & Lime and will launch nationwide in March at an SRP of $3.49. They are currently available at select retailers including Whole Foods Market and Giant Eagle.

Late July’s organic potato chips are also rolling out in three new flavors: Simple as Sea Salt, Laid Back BBQ and Sea Salt & Vinegar. The chips will be sold nationwide in March for an SRP of $3.49.

Late July snacks are owned by Camden, N.J.-based Campbell Soup Co.

A new keto snack company, Genius Gourmet, has introduced a line of keto bars, shakes and chips. The line was started by Lance Rankin, one of the original co-founders of Premier Protein.  

The Genius Gourmet Keto Bars are available on Amazon and in 2020 will be for sale at other specialty retail stores and more than 300 of Salt Lake City-based Maverik's convenience stores.