Wholsale Report

Pepsico has broken Coca-Cola’s 19-year relationship with the National Football League. The NFL will now be sponsored by Pepsi brands, including Tropicana Juices and Frito-Lay snack products. Watch for NFL logos and tie-ins on Pepsico products in the near future.

Pepsi also introduced Diet Mountain Dew during the NCAA Tournament, and will be adding Diet Mountain Dew Code Red during the summer.

Snyder’s of Hanover (recently named America’s #1 Specialty Pretzel Brand) has added to its bite-sized Nibblers line with new Garlic Bread Nibblers.

Snyder’s is so well-known for pretzels that we overlook their potato chip line, which includes Regular Barbecue; Sour Cream and Onion; Ripple; Salt and Vinegar; Hot Buffalo Wing; Taco Fiesta; Jalapeno, and Kosher Dill. They’ve just introduced Green Chili and Lime, for a southwestern flavor; another regional flavor is Chesapeake Bay Crab Potato Chips. Yes, you read those last three words together.

Canadians will want to try new Coffee Crisp Orange from Nestlé, a new version of one of Canada’s most popular chocolate bars. They’re also introducing Aero Chunky, and Turtles Peanut.

Just when you thought they couldn’t do anything else with Fritos, along come Fritos Cheddar Ranch Flavor Twists, and they are incredibly tasty. Frito-Lay really cranked things up a notch with these!

That’s not all from Frito-Lay. They’ve added two new flavors to Rold Gold Pretzels. Honey Wheat Braided Twists are pretzel pieces, and Zesty Ranch Flavored Flavor Rush Pieces are sourdough morsels. But wait—there’s more! For a limited time, the new Tastes of America line of potato chips will feature California Cool Dill.

As Homer Simpson would say, “Mmmm--microwaveable donuts!” from Cloverhill Bakery, in Cinnamon Crumb and Yankee Doodle (designed for the Fourth of July).

Nonni’s Foods is known for New York Style Bagel Snacks, but they’ve been lucky enough to be chosen to bring Mrs. Fields’ Cookies to vending. They’re starting with Milk Chocolate Chip, and White Chunk Macadamia. They also have the same flavors in Nibblers (not to be confused with Snyder’s of Hanover). Watch out, Amos!

M&M/Mars has a new promotion for vending operators (and route drivers) called the Global Color Vote, giving winners computers, gift certificates, shopping sprees, and more. Basically you send in the tearstrips from boxes of M&M’s, with your name, address, and phone number. For an official entry form, send to: Blue World, Inc., Masterfoods USA M&M’s Brand Global Color Vote Sweepstakes, PO Box 730, Elmsford, NY 10523-0730.

Hershey’s has a promotion for the rest of the year, that can win vending operators and route drivers a variety of prizes including a Harley-Davidson “Chocolate Thunder” motorcycle—you can almost hear “Born To Be Wild”! Collect the tabs from boxes of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Reesesticks, Nutrageous, and FastBreak, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almond, Kit Kat and Big Kat, Payday, Almond Joy, Mr. Goodbar, Twizzlers, and Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews. Entry forms and information can be found at www.hersheysvending.com.

Sara Lee Coffee has added Berry Vanilla to their Superior Cappuccino line, with graphics to tie in the Fourth of July and Labor Day. It’s a summer coffee  mixing sweet mixed berries and vanilla..

Nabisco (now part of Kraft Vending) announces that you’ll love those animals they’ve bagged—genuine Animal Crackers, in 2 oz. bags!