First-class choices
Ensuring their children’s concentration levels will be sustained throughout a busy day in the classroom through providing nutritional lunchbox items and snacks, will be uppermost in parents’ minds during the back to school season, as well as the odd little treat here and there as part of a balanced diet, writes Gillian Hamill
Print12 July 2018
In recent years, we have witnessed an explosion of new, vibrant, healthy choices right across the FMCG sector – in everything from innovative deli and foodservice concepts to healthier choices within the confectionery category. Naturally parents want the best for their children and so, the brands commanding their attention are those that can reassure them about nutritional values and the natural credentials of their produce, containing no artificial colours or preservatives.
A costly time of the year for parents, when new uniforms, books and supplies all place heavy demands upon the household budget, value is also never far from families’ minds during the back to school season. Multipacks which offer both convenience and value are therefore a hit and retailers need to ensure they have all their bases covered in this regard, to deliver the product choice parents expect to find in-store.
Overall, when we think of the ‘back to school’ season, the images immediately conjured up in our heads focus around lunchbox options (in handy on-the go formats of course), and the classic stationery essentials kids need to stock up on. In our back to school feature this month however, we also include slightly less obvious items which are nevertheless strong sellers among families at this time of year, such as environmentally-friendly wipes.
Out of this world collectibles
Bear’s Space Race collectible cards can be found in all Bear Yoyo packs during the back to school season
This September, Bear’s Space Race collectible cards are launching into all Bear Yoyo packs just in time for the all-important back to school period. ‘Cubs’ who are fans of the tasty pure fruit rolls, can now collect 60 free out of this world Space Race cards inside all packs of Bear Yoyos.
Bear’s story starts from a simple need to make being healthy a little bit easier and a whole lot tastier – because life’s too short to chew cardboard! That’s why Bear Yoyos are made from 100% pure fruit and vegetables and absolutely nothing else.
Bear YoYos are available in Strawberry, Apple, Mango, and Raspberry
It makes Bear growl that almost all fruit snacks for children are made from concentrated fruit juices. The brand subsequently set out to deliver a healthier alternative. Bear Yoyos, which are ready to order for the September back to school period, are available in a range of tasty recipes; Strawberry, Apple, Mango, and Raspberry.
Retailers can order from Brandshapers, by telephone on + 353 53 91 79007 or email customerservice@brandshapers.ie.
Boosting immune systems and sales!
The new Actimel Fat Free with no added sugar range, is available in a range of flavours including Strawberry, Original, Multifruit and Raspberry
Actimel is a tasty, fermented milk drink. It contains 10 billion exclusive L. casei cultures and Vitamins B6 and D in every bottle, helping to support your customers’ immune systems every day. Nearly a quarter* of Irish families are choosing Actimel every day, as a great addition to their child’s lunchbox.
Actimel is available in a wide range of flavours. New to the Actimel family is the new Actimel Fat Free with no added sugar range**, which comes in a variety of flavours including Strawberry, Original, Multifruit and Raspberry. There’s a flavour of Actimel to suit every lunchbox.
“The launch is aimed at maintaining fans of the brand, as well as attracting a new consumer base to the dairy drinks arena,” says senior brand manager for Ireland, Rachel Doyle. “We see this as a real growth opportunity for retailers particularly with the Multifruit NPD, which is one of our biggest selling flavours and has never before been available with low fat and no added sugar.”
Actimel, 0% Fat, with no added sugar is available in eight-packs (RRP; €3.99) and 12-packs (RRP; €4.99).
For more information about Actimel, visit www.actimel.ie or www.facebook.com/ActimelIRE.
*(Source: Kantar Penetration April 2018)
**(Contains naturally occurring sugars)
Tasty alternative to high-sugar drinks
CocoFuzion 100 is available in both a still and sparkling variety
CocoFuzion 100 is coming to the rescue for parents all over the country as the tasty drink contains 100% natural ingredients; coconut water and natural flavours. It is a naturally occurring, gluten-free product and due to its unique compositions, it is exempt from the sugar tax due to no added sugars, artificial sweeteners or preservatives. CocoFuzion 100 is the first naturally flavoured, sparkling coconut water on the Irish market and is a great healthy alternative to high-sugar fizzy drinks. The range is available in both a still and sparkling variety with flavours to suit even the pickiest of children and the fun packaging and tasty range of flavours make it appealing for them; perfect for lunchboxes.
The brand’s aim is to make the benefits of coconut water – low calorie, zero fat and containing only natural sugars – available to all, including the health-conscious, sports teams, children and anyone searching for an alternative to sugar. With four flavours to choose from; Lime, Natural, Raspberry and Lime and at a market-leading price-point, the brand provides a solution for those who understand the benefits of coconut water but have yet to find a great-tasting product.
“The coconut water market is set to experience extreme growth over the next few years as a result of the sugar tax,” says Steve Barton, CEO, C7 Brands. “We believe we have the quality product – the flavour side of things is particularly important which is why we launched with four flavours,” he adds. “The challenge for existing sugar-based beverages is replicated as an enormous opportunity for the natural beverage supply base, in that the consumer is driving this. We are confident in our taste, quality, traceability and building trust with the consumer.”
The naturally low-calorie sparkling coconut water is stocked by major retailers including Tesco, SuperValu and Centra.
Pure benefits
Celtic Pure Irish Spring Water and the McEneaney family produce Ireland’s best-tasting and most natural spring water, sourced deep beneath the Drumlin hills in Co. Monaghan. As the number one independent Irish water brand, it has become a family favourite in homes across Ireland. It is available in a wide range of sizes that is perfect for all the family’s needs, including a 250ml flat cap bottle in both still and sparkling as well as a sports cap version which is ideal for little hands, lunchboxes and back to school activities. The water brand also offers 330ml, 500ml, 750ml, 1L, 1.5L, 2L and 5L bottles available in still and sparkling across the range.
Bottled water is the fastest-growing soft drinks category as it continues to take consumers away from other soft drinks, posting off-trade current value growth of 2% in 2016 and volume growth of 3% – to reach sales of €178 million and 175 million litres respectively.
The McEneaney family values have been built on community and creating moments that matter; on recognising what is important in life, the beauty of nature, the support of family, the passion that makes life worth living. These are the values on which the Celtic Pure brand and Pure Moments have been born. Celtic Pure is available to purchase nationwide and is a proud supporter of Irish sport as the Official Hydration Partner to the FAI, the Monaghan GAA team and now the Dublin Marathon Series.
Great natural source of protein
For decades, John West has been doing its part to help busy families get an all-important serving of fish in their diets. For kids, they need a healthy balanced diet to fuel their fun and activities. Protein is extremely important for kids to grow and function. Thankfully, the brand makes it easy as the John West Fish range is a great natural source of protein. John West aims to serve the growing demand for tasty lunch and snack options for busy parents and kids for when the daily school lunch routines start back this autumn.
Its latest innovation is the new John West No Drain Tuna Fridgepot. The Fridgepot makes it even easier for consumers to get in a serving of fish into their daily diet. This great time-saving product is easy and convenient to prepare with no mess No Drain Tuna. But the best bit is, it is simple to open with an easy peel opening and then can be resealed so that consumers can keep it fresh in the fridge for a full two days. Each pot contains a 110g serving of John West’s No Drain Tuna in an innovative modern plastic pot with a see-through window. The brand describes this as a true revolution in the category.
This tasty school lunchtime filler is perfect mixed with mayonnaise for sandwiches, crispy rolls, or topped onto some tasty crackers. It is the perfect healthy option for parents who may be struggling for ideas to prepare the little ones’ lunchtime sandwiches in record time during the busy school week.
As this is a key launch, John West will be promoting Fridgepot with a new heavyweight, engaging social media campaign, press and in-store activity as well as a new TV campaign early next year.
The brand therefore advises stocking up now to offer essential and important fish goodness to your customers.
Loving life!
Lifeforce’s tasty rice cakes have on average 50% less sugar than most other coated rice cakes, making them ideal for a lunchbox snack. Lifeforce was founded in Dublin in 1977 and since then has maintained a philosophy to provide foods just as nature intended. Foods that will not just nourish you but help you to achieve your full potential in life – whatever that may be!
Lifeforce foods are free from artificial preservatives, additives, flavours and colourings, with no added salt or sugar, and sourced organically where possible. Lifeforce is stocked by Dunnes Stores, Tesco and SuperValu.
History in the baking
Goodness of Both bread combines the smoothness of white bread with all the goodness of wholemeal
As Ireland’s oldest bakery, Johnston Mooney & O’Brien has more than 180 years of experience in selecting high-grade flour from the finest wheat-grown harvests. Over time, the company has refined its recipes so that all its quality ingredients come together perfectly to make consumers’ favourite fresh-baked breads. To each of its breads, Johnston Mooney & O’Brien adds a unique ingredient; its long-standing heritage of crafting superior-tasting baked goods. A healthy balanced diet has always been
Johnston Mooney & O’Brien has sliced its Toastie Bread to just the right size and shape to create perfect toast every time
essential for living a full and active life and the company believes its baked goods play an important role in maintaining consumers’ health.
With Goodness of Both bread, consumers can enjoy the smoothness of white bread with all the goodness of wholemeal, offering a nutritionally attractive option for those who prefer the taste of white bread.
With the famous Toastie, the brand says it has taken great care to ensure bread was sliced to just the right size and shape to create the most perfect slice of toast. Why not take a little lunchbox inspiration from its recipe page at www.jmob.ie?
A moment of bliss wherever you go
Growing at +29.9% and now worth over €1.3m in RSV, the smooth melting Lindor Treat Bar is Ireland’s number one premium chocolate countline and is a proven must-stock product for retailers this year*. Available in a slim stick format, it is the perfect on-the-go treat and is available in two delectable flavours – the classic Lindor milk recipe and a zesty, orange-flavoured milk chocolate for those looking for something with a little twist.
Following on from the success of the Lindor Treat Bar range, this summer sees the launch of the new Lindor Milk and Orange Multipacks. These offer the same slim stick packaging but in a convenient multipack format; perfect for filling the lunchboxes or as a little picnic treat while families are out and about. The Lindor Multipack is stocked in all leading retailers and retails at €2.69. The 
Lindor Treat Bar 38g range retails at €1.29 and is available nationwide.
Give your shoppers a moment of bliss wherever they go with the Lindor Treat Bar.
*(Source: Nielsen Scantrack MAT – Snacking Countline Market – to 20 May 2018)
Ideal lunchbox filler
Milk drink, Yazoo No Added Sugar is a perfect lunchbox filler for kids. The beverage’s many advantages include that it contains no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners, yet it is naturally rich in calcium and protein as well as being a source of Vitamin B2.
Low in fat, Yazoo contains less than 100 calories per bottle. Available in three flavours: Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana, it was impressively named The Grocer New Product of the Year 2017 within the dairy category.
The product certainly fits in with the current zeitgeist, considering how the ongoing sugar debate has been taking hold of the headlines for the past year, and the childhood obesity crisis has been at the forefront of such reportage. With this in mind, children’s lunchboxes are evolving and parents are becoming more aware than ever before of what their children are eating. Likewise, schools are closely monitoring what is being consumed by pupils during school hours.
Sugar is a concern that affects all food and drinks manufacturers. Yazoo believes it’s absolutely right that flavoured milk brands should have a reduced or no added sugar variant within their range to offer consumers the choice, even more so with the introduction of the recent sugar levy.
That’s why Yazoo offers No Added Sugar. It provides a great opportunity for retailers and for parents, presenting them with a choice when buying products for their children’s lunchboxes.
“Parents are telling us that it can be a struggle to get children to drink milk,” says Wayne Thomson, customer marketing manager at FrieslandCampina UK. “Yazoo No Added Sugar is a great way for them to get the goodness of milk including protein and calcium, which are needed to maintain bones and teeth* into their children’s diets. We know that drinks with a high sugar content are also a concern for parents, but Yazoo No Added Sugar has no more sugar than a glass of semi-skimmed milk and contains no artificial sweeteners. It comes in a handy 200ml pack and doesn’t need to be stored in a fridge, making it the perfect addition for lunchboxes.”
The brand is seeing this approach translate into results. Not only is Yazoo the number one milk drink brand in the UK, Yazoo NAS is now a £2.6m brand** with over 800,000 households buying it. “The big focus for us is to continue to build its physical availability and also raise awareness amongst shoppers,” adds Thomson. “We know that once consumers are aware of the product they will continue to buy, with nearly a third of buyers repeat buying Yazoo No added Sugar***”.
This year, Yazoo will be supporting ‘back to school’ through PR and throughout the summer, Yazoo will be running its ‘Top up Tummies’ campaign across radio and cinema.
Its on-to-go formats are often located in the chiller and are a great addition to adult lunches. Some retailers have started to include Yazoo’s 400ml bottles in their meal deals which offer customers an alternative choice when hunger hits. In the coming months, the brand says it is looking to encourage more retailers to include Yazoo into their meal deals.
The brand has also introduced a Chocolate flavour to its award-winning No Added Sugar range. At just 98 calories and containing the same amount of sugar as a glass of semi-skimmed milk, it’s ideal for lunchboxes. Thanks to clever technology from the UK’s number one flavoured milk drink****, there are no artificial sweeteners either – just milk and chocolate flavour. By boosting the sweetness that is already present in milk, this means no compromising on taste, making Yazoo the perfect snack this summer.
Yazoo is available in a Choc Mint 400ml variant while the No Added Sugar range comes in 200ml four-pack and six-pack formats.
*(A varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are important)
**(Source: IRI Data 52 we 26.5.18)
***Kantar Worldpanel online repeat buyers % buyers 52 we 25.3.18
****Source: IRI EPOS Data, 03.03.18
Award-winning dairy
For more than 20 years now, Alan and Valerie Kingston have been producing Glenilen Farm’s award-winning natural dairy products on their farm
The Raspberry & Passion Fruit and Apple & Blackberry Yoghurts are now available in convenient four-pack versions
in West Cork. This summer, they have just launched two new fabulously fruity flavours in their Thick & Fruity range. The Raspberry & Passion Fruit and Apple & Blackberry Yoghurts are now available in handy four-pack versions (125g each) which are perfect for back to school breakfasts, lunchbox fillers and afternoon snacks. Like all products from the authentic farmhouse brand, these new yoghurts are not complicated, just natural; pure and simple. Thick & Fruity is made using Glenilen Farm’s natural live yoghurt and lots of lovely fruit combinations; the perfect healthy snack.
For more information check out the Glenilen Farm website, www.glenilenfarm.com, or find it on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
Wipe wonders
Kandoo Aqua Wipes are kind to skin, with have no perfumes, parabens, or Phenoxyethanol in their formulation
Kandoo Aqua Wipes are different to other wipes on the market for several important reasons, as outlined below.
Kandoo Aquas are a higher purity, 99% water, flushable, multi-purpose hygiene wipe. A moist tissue, they can be used in toilet hygiene to wipe soiled bottoms. Aquas are perfect for potty training, but also great for wiping hands, faces and bodies, or as convenient travel wipes.
With no perfumes, parabens, or Phenoxyethanol in their formulation, Aquas are dermatologically-tested and proven to be ‘kind to skin’, including being paediatrician-approved for use on newborn babies.
Made from 100% plant-based cellulose materials, Aquas break down in water to their cellulose-based fibres
What’s more, because they are made from 100% plant-based cellulose materials, Aquas have no plastic content and are dispersible and perishable, breaking down in water back to their cellulose-based fibres.
Importantly, the fact that Aquas contain no plastic content, means they do not add plastics into the water environment – an important consideration for consumers who are keen to be environmentally-friendly.
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