WHOLESALE REPORT

Industry news: The Federal Trade Commission may block Pepsico from acquiring Quaker Oats, apparently the problem is Gatorade. Pepsi currently markets All Sport, running far behind Quaker’s Gatorade and Coke’s Powerade. The FTC says that the purchase of Quaker would give Pepsi an unfair advantage, since Gatorade already has 78% of the sports drink market.

Creme Savers have been very successful roll candy for Kraft (they’re second only to LifeSavers), and now they’re available in vendible bags, in popular Strawberries & Creme and Orange & Creme. 

Kraft’s Nabisco subsidiary is puttin’ on the Ritz: New Ritz Snack Mixers, an improved version of their popular snack mix in a larger bag. They have also released Ritz Bitz in vending packages.

For snack mix fans, King Nut introduces Granola Berry Crunch, with granola, sliced almonds, cranberries, and raisins.

Some folks don’t like salt at all, so Kar’s Nuts has Unsalted Trail Mixes, in Original Blend, Nut-N-Yogurt, and All Energy.

Some regions are familiar with Andy Capp products from Goodmark; now they’re going nationwide with Andy Capp’s Steak Fries. They’re crispy salty snacks in Hot Chili Cheese, and White Cheddar Cheese.

Wahoo! Actually, that’s the name of the newest from General Mills. They’re mounting their biggest snack launch ever for these salty snacks. They look sort of like ridged Fritos but have a unique crispy melt-away texture. Look for Seasoned Original, Nacho Fiesta, and Backyard BBQ Wahoos!

Act II, the leading microwave popcorn folks, introduces Kettle Corn, with a traditional taste both “slightly sweet and slight salty.”

As long as we’re talking salty, Snyder’s of Hanover has brought out Garlic Bread Nibblers, bit-sized sourdough morsels lightly seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs and spices.

Frito-Lay wants to make sure your taste buds aren’t going to just lay there quietly. They’ve brought out Doritos Extreme Zesty Sour Cream & Cheddar, which is both extra thick and extra crunchy. And extra loud.

Fruit Snacks are new from Welch’s. They’re made from real fruit and real fruit juices, and come in Mixed Fruit, Strawberry, Concord Grape, White Grape Peach, and White Grape Raspberry. By the way, these and other Welch’s flavors are available as beverages in 11½ oz. cans.

Little Debbie has introduced Little Debbie Big Snack Crispy Bar in a vend pack, combining rice crisps with marshmallow, based on the traditional product that’s been successful  in supermarkets.

On cold mornings, nothing starts you up better than Quaker Oats Oatmeal. Many distributors vend single-serve packets of Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal; now they can add Cinnamon Roll, Banana Bread, and Baked Apple flavors.

Also good on cold mornings is Swiss Miss hot chocolate, and they’ve added Chocolate Sensation to their line.

Hey—how about a nice Hawaiian Punch? Jaret announces Hawaiian Punch Soft & Chew Candy.

Also new to bagged candy, from M&M/Mars: Mint Skittles, in Spearmint and Peppermint. M&M/Mars is also doing a regional launch for caramel chocolate Dulce de Leche M&Ms.

Hershey’s is taking nougat to an extreme with FastBreak candy bars. There is a core of Reese’s Peanut Butter, between a chocolate nougat top layer and peanut butter nougat bottom layer, covered in Hershey’s chocolate. Yow.

Industry news: The Federal Trade Commission may block Pepsico from acquiring Quaker Oats, apparently the problem is Gatorade. Pepsi currently markets All Sport, running far behind Quaker’s Gatorade and Coke’s Powerade. The FTC says that the purchase of Quaker would give Pepsi an unfair advantage, since Gatorade already has 78% of the sports drink market.

Creme Savers have been very successful roll candy for Kraft (they’re second only to LifeSavers), and now they’re available in vendible bags, in popular Strawberries & Creme and Orange & Creme. 

Kraft’s Nabisco subsidiary is puttin’ on the Ritz: New Ritz Snack Mixers, an improved version of their popular snack mix in a larger bag. They have also released Ritz Bitz in vending packages.

For snack mix fans, King Nut introduces Granola Berry Crunch, with granola, sliced almonds, cranberries, and raisins.

Some folks don’t like salt at all, so Kar’s Nuts has Unsalted Trail Mixes, in Original Blend, Nut-N-Yogurt, and All Energy.

Some regions are familiar with Andy Capp products from Goodmark; now they’re going nationwide with Andy Capp’s Steak Fries. They’re crispy salty snacks in Hot Chili Cheese, and White Cheddar Cheese.

Wahoo! Actually, that’s the name of the newest from General Mills. They’re mounting their biggest snack launch ever for these salty snacks. They look sort of like ridged Fritos but have a unique crispy melt-away texture. Look for Seasoned Original, Nacho Fiesta, and Backyard BBQ Wahoos!

Act II, the leading microwave popcorn folks, introduces Kettle Corn, with a traditional taste both “slightly sweet and slight salty.”

As long as we’re talking salty, Snyder’s of Hanover has brought out Garlic Bread Nibblers, bit-sized sourdough morsels lightly seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs and spices.

Frito-Lay wants to make sure your taste buds aren’t going to just lay there quietly. They’ve brought out Doritos Extreme Zesty Sour Cream & Cheddar, which is both extra thick and extra crunchy. And extra loud.

Fruit Snacks are new from Welch’s. They’re made from real fruit and real fruit juices, and come in Mixed Fruit, Strawberry, Concord Grape, White Grape Peach, and White Grape Raspberry. By the way, these and other Welch’s flavors are available as beverages in 11½ oz. cans.

Little Debbie has introduced Little Debbie Big Snack Crispy Bar in a vend pack, combining rice crisps with marshmallow, based on the traditional product that’s been successful  in supermarkets.

On cold mornings, nothing starts you up better than Quaker Oats Oatmeal. Many distributors vend single-serve packets of Quaker’s Instant Oatmeal; now they can add Cinnamon Roll, Banana Bread, and Baked Apple flavors.

Also good on cold mornings is Swiss Miss hot chocolate, and they’ve added Chocolate Sensation to their line.

Hey—how about a nice Hawaiian Punch? Jaret announces Hawaiian Punch Soft & Chew Candy.

Also new to bagged candy, from M&M/Mars: Mint Skittles, in Spearmint and Peppermint. M&M/Mars is also doing a regional launch for caramel chocolate Dulce de Leche M&Ms.

Hershey’s is taking nougat to an extreme with FastBreak candy bars. There is a core of Reese’s Peanut Butter, between a chocolate nougat top layer and peanut butter nougat bottom layer, covered in Hershey’s chocolate. Yow.