Consumer demand for healthy and convenient snacks has been driving companies to innovate and come up with new products that satisfy both taste and nutrition. One of these new products is Good & Ugly Fruit and Nut Bites. As the name suggests, the snacks are made up entirely of various combinations of fruits and nuts, with no artificial ingredients or fillers. They were launched in May 2018, prompted by customers asking for a new type of healthy snack.
"We have been in the dried fruit and nut business since the 1970s, and our parent company, Great Lakes International Trading, was started in 1983," said Patrick Batcheller. "As the years have gone by and consumers have become more educated and conscious of what they’re eating, we have been asked to import more natural and organic products, as well as products with no and low sugar."
Patrick Batcheller (left) with Verne Powell of Great Lakes International Trading
"One of our production facilities had a new machine that is able to make bars in any size," he continued. "We knew two things; 1. We wanted to create a better-for-you snack; and 2. the world doesn’t need another bar."
Regarding the unusual name, Batcheller recalled that it came naturally to the team once they tried their first batch. "Our facility made the bites, and when they arrived at our office, we all sort of looked at each other and said, 'They’re pretty ugly', and then we tasted them - they were really good, and good for you!"
Good response so far
Good & Ugly has started with six flavors in eye-catching, re-sealable vertical packages, with an additional packaging size option in the works. The bites themselves are simply fruits and nuts pressed together with no artificial ingredients or fillers, meaning they are suitable for various diets. A lot of the company's business is online, but the snacks are also present in many stores in different parts of the country.
"Currently we have 6 flavors – Apple Almond, Almond Berry, Nutty Cocoa, Chili Nutty date, Strawberry Pistachio, and Very Berry Blast," Batcheller said. "We have all flavors in an 8oz bag, which predominantly is merchandised in the produce department. We will be launching our 4oz pack in March 2019, at the request of grocery, convenience, and Grab-n-Go type customers. We’ve got dozens of really cool flavors on the board, but this year we’re focusing on introducing the brand to more retailers."
"The response has been overwhelming!" he added. "We are currently available on QVC.com and in large chains like Weis Markets and Meijer, and a ton of independents like Woodman’s in Wisconsin, Dave’s Marketplace in Rhode Island, Hollywood Markets in metro Detroit, Harmon’s in Salt Lake City, and Ball’s in Kansas City. And of course, Amazon.com."
New York Produce Show award
At last year's New York Produce Show in December, Good & Ugly received an award as recognition for being one of the top innovative products at the show. The company said this provided encouragement that they were on the right track when it came to a snacking product.
Good & Ugly bites on display at the NY Produce Show, with award in the center
"It was such an honor to be recognized in this way," Batcheller shared. "We have always had a very strong business in New York, so we’ve participated in the New York Produce Show for years. We were encouraged to enter for the innovation awards, which is based on Product, Packaging, and Processing. Then we got a call that we were one of the top winners! We were honored, along with some pretty big hitters in the produce business, at the keynote breakfast. It’s provided us with some great opportunities, but the award has been our validation that we are on-trend, and true to what the consumer is eating."
"We have just really appreciated all of the honest support and feedback," he concluded. "All of us have been in the produce business our entire careers, and it’s great to be able to still innovate and continue to support healthy eating and snacking. Good & Ugly is our new baby – it keeps us up at night, and we just want the very best for the brand and our customers."
For more information:
Patrick Batcheller
Good & Ugly Snacks
Ph: +1 (248) 521-8629
patrick@goodanduglysnacks.com
www.goodanduglysnacks.com