Specialty Food Magazine

APR 2013

Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.

Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/116674

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 14 of 63

food trends This month we look at food-inspired tattoos, apps for small grocers, the packaging trend that's boosting sales and more. BY DENISE SHOUKAS New Law Opens Industry to More Startups "Chicago"-Flavored Popcorn C hicago turned 176 on March 4, and what better way to celebrate this great city's special day than with one of today's hottest snacks: popcorn. For a fun marketing PHOTO: THE POPCORN FACTORY twist, local shop The Popcorn Factory created limited-edition flavors that taste like Chicago-style hot dogs, deep-dish pizza and cheesecake, sold in reusable tins decorated with the Chicago skyline. To get the word out, street-team members scattered around town offering locals popcorn samples. "We've received fantastic response to the Chicago flavors, and I'd say the Chicago Hot Dog Corn has been the one to take everyone by surprise," says master "popcorneer" Leila Kaufman, who was integral to turning these iconic Chicago foods into popcorn. The recipes are true to their inspirations: "We honored those hot-dog toppings in our popcorn version by bringing out flavors like celery salt, yellow mustard, chopped onion and pickle spear," says Kaufman.  C alifornia has passed a law that may make starting a small business easier for home chefs. The California Homemade Food Act, which went into effect January 1, recognizes a category of food production called "cottage food operation," which, unlike other types of commercial food facilities, can be operated out of an approved home kitchen. Specifically, people who sell less than $35,000 in goods (a number that rises to $50,000 in 2015) may produce foods in a State Department of Public Health–approved in-home kitchen without requiring inspections by local health departments. The types of foods they can sell directly to customers include candy, dried pasta, granola and preserves, to name a few. The new law is the latest effort to roll back the strict food-safety regulations that were implemented to govern industries, but have been an obstacle to the growth of the slow food movement. If Barbie Ate T PHOTO: BIGSTOCK aipei, Taiwan, is a city known for its themed restaurants, starring such icons as Hello Kitty and activities like eating on an airliner or even sitting on toilet seats while enjoying a meal. It's no surprise then that the newest themed eatery is Barbie Cafe, a Barbie-themed restaurant licensed by U.S. toymaker Mattel and opened by restaurant company Sinlaku. This pink palace is dripping with Barbie imagery, and every surface is adorned, from chair backs that look like bustiers to bar tables with legs that resemble stilettos. To sync with Barbie's figure-conscious reputation, the menu is reportedly on the healthy side with items like Salmon Beauty Salad and macaroons in martini glasses, all accompanied by calorie counts. And while Barbie lookalikes aren't serving up the food, the waitresses do wear tutus, tiaras and Barbie armbands, while the men do their best to look like Ken. Pouches Push Out More Sales P remium baby foods, part of a $1.5 billion industry, have come a long way—and so has the packaging. Tidy, easy-to-use pouches are replacing small jars, creating a new way for manufacturers to expand their reach beyond babies and toddlers, appealing to older children and convenience-driven parents. Pouch-style packaging was a hallmark style for Ella's Kitchen, which offers its full line of products, including baby food and toddler snacks, in eco-friendly pouches. The company builds customer loyalty by encouraging people to gather their empty pouches and send them, free of charge, to its partner TerraCycle, which turns the trash into eco-friendly products. Other companies have followed suit, like Hain Celestial Group's Earth's Best and Plum Organics, both of which credit pouches for increasing sales. Another young business, Homemade Honey, creates its pouch-based snack products specifically for active adults. MORE TRENDS: COCONUT WATER BEVERAGES, P. 50 12 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Specialty Food Magazine - APR 2013