Crunchies Natural Food Company was the first consumer brand to focus on freeze-dried snacks and is the only U.S. consumer freeze-dry brand that’s vertically integrated farm to fork, embracing responsible sourcing practices.
Crunchies will be highlighting its new and improved freeze-dried mango snacks at PMA, made from fresh Thai mango (nam doc mai variety). “We loved the color and sweeter mango flavour [of the Thai mango],” said Scott Jacobson, Crunchies’ CEO. “I don’t know of anybody in the freeze-dried space, with the exception of one private label, that’s bringing in Thai mango. Most of the mango we’re seeing in the U.S. from other brands are Chinese.” Each and every mango is hand cut, sliced and freeze-dried right in Thailand. Finished raw material is imported and packed into retail packaging in the USA.
Unlike traditional heat drying, the freeze-drying method used by Crunchies, allows the fresh produce to retain its nutritional value (95% nutrition dense) and gives it a longer shelf life. “Because of the process you really get a burst of flavour. The retailers that have seen it already love it – it’s been very well received,” said Jacobson. “We’re really excited to get it in front of people at PMA on a bigger scale.” All Crunchies products feature only one ingredient – fresh produce – and are Non-GMO Project Verified, Gluten Free Certified, vegan, Kosher Parve and Halal with no added sugar or artificial flavoring.
Available in both single-serve packs and larger, grab-n-go re-sealable pouches, Crunchies’ product line also includes strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cinnamon apple, strawberry banana, mixed fruit and award-winning beets (profiled at last year’s PMA). “It’s a real point of difference from our competitors because, as one of the leading [freeze-dry] brands in the U.S., our job is to create innovation that separates us from everybody else and shows a real differentiation. We do it through our supply chain, through innovation and through the quality of our product,” said Jacobson.
Mango is on trend right now. Jacobson says it’s growing in the freeze-dried category and the dried fruit category. “You’re seeing mango and the mango flavour across a lot of different items and snacks and categories. Our marketing strategy is customized to each retailer – what are the best vehicles for them, and then it’s all about getting velocity off the shelf.”
Head to the Crunchies booth at PMA for a yogurt parfait bar in the morning and try their products. They have also partnered with fellow exhibitor Zola, producer of Thai coconut water, for the show, to create a bar in the afternoon where visitors can have tropical-inspired coconut water cocktails with Crunchies mango and some of their other products.
Visit Crunchies Natural Food Company at the PMA Fresh Summit at booth #350!
Crunchies Natural Food Company
Scott Jacobson, CEO
Ph: 888-997-1866