New year, new attitude
After the indulgence of the festive season, the start of the new year offers the perfect opportunity for consumers to reset and refocus on their health and fitness goals, writes Donna Ahern
Print19 December 2024
The start of the new year inspires a time of reflection and renewal which sees many individuals committing to healthier lifestyles, making it an ideal time for consumers to seek out products that support their well-being.
Research indicates a strong and growing demand for healthier food options among Irish consumers. Increasingly, health-conscious individuals in Ireland are prioritising natural, wholesome ingredients in the products they purchase. Notably, one of the most common concerns when shopping is the sugar content of products, with many consumers actively seeking to reduce their sugar intake.
In fact, across Ireland and beyond, there is a growing trend toward more mindful and balanced eating habits. People are becoming more conscientious about what they consume, opting for products that align with their wellness goals. This shift in consumer behaviour reflects a broader desire for healthier choices, as individuals focus not just on taste, but also on the nutritional value of the products they buy. Retailers have been quick to recognize and respond to this demand, offering a wide variety of healthier snacks and food options that are both accessible and affordable. As a result, healthier snacking is no longer a luxury but a readily available choice for consumers across the country.
Sweeteners with a ‘real sugar-sweet taste’
A selection of Hermesetas Sweeteners
Having got through the Christmas & New Year excesses, many shoppers will turn their minds to new resolutions, healthier lifestyles, and “new year-new me” desires, as they kickstart new routines and focus on their health and fitness goals for 2025. Research shows that over half the population will be seeking to reduce their sugar intake, but increasingly important, almost everyone will still be seeking the best value with the economic pressures still impacting their disposable income. As well as tasting great with a real sugar-sweet taste, Hermesetas Mini Sweeteners are the best value tablet sweetener in Ireland and the company has the answers and the products to help you solve your shopper’s low calorie sweetening needs in the year ahead. Retailers just have to hold shoppers’ hands by providing pack sizes to suit each main shopper type.
Sweeteners are first and foremost an ideal and convenient sugar replacement and saving calories. It is important to ensure that you have the right range to suit each core customer group and not lose out on a significant part of the market by limiting choice. With a range of pack sizes – 300, 600 and 1200 tablets, plus the 90g granulated jar – they suit all main user types & needs. For small quantity & convenience, for personal use and often out of home, there’s the 300-tablet slimline, pocket / handbag pack. With a low entry price that’s perfect for trial, which is so important in the new year period. January is the peak month for new entrants to the category plus high regular user sales. The larger volume 600 and 1200 tablet packs are ideal for family share in-home or for individuals with higher sweetness levels or the more frequent hot beverage drinkers. The larger the pack, the better the value per 100 tablets, which will be increasingly important in 2025.
Hermesetas therefore recommend stocking at least two sizes of tablet packs – small pack for convenience / out of home and low volume users, plus a larger pack for higher consumption users and the more value for money focused shoppers. Don’t just stock one size because you will miss out on a big part of the full opportunity. For example, a 300s pack user is very unlikely to purchase a 1200 pack as it commits to too much volume and a higher investment – even if it is better value per 100 tablets. A 1200 user may buy a small pack for out of home, convenient on-the-go use – an added sale – but due to the better value of the larger packs, very unlikely to buy four small packs to accommodate their higher volume use.
Hermesetas is the best value branded tablet sweetener in Ireland with unique, high tech and reliable dispensers and they taste great too. Get the year ahead sorted with Hermesetas Sweeteners, the highest volume and best tasting value sweeteners. Also available in a jar with granular powder for sprinkling on cereals, fruit, desserts, baking & hot beverages.
Contact Allegro on 01 858 0600 for further information and purchasing.
McCormack Family Farms launches two new products
McCormack Family Farms, a leading producer of leafy salads and herbs, is shaking up the category with two new product launches – Snack Lettuce and Watercress
Snack Lettuce is a unique product that caters to a variety of consumers seeking delicious and convenient ways to enjoy their greens and is more than just lettuce. It’s very sweet, juicy, and crunchy with an excellent shelf life. But its design is where the real innovation is found. The lettuce head will naturally split into distinct, boat-shaped leaves after the bottom is removed.
“Snack Lettuce is a game-changer for healthy snacking,” says Stephen McCormack, Managing Director at McCormack Family Farms. “These naturally portioned leaves are ideal for dipping, scooping, or filling. They’re perfect for anyone looking to cut carbs and use them instead of bread and they make great healthy canapés for entertaining this summer season. The unique flavour profile and fun way to eat also makes them a hit with children.”
Key benefits of Snack Lettuce:
- Sweet, juicy, and crunchy flavour: Snack Lettuce offers a delightful alternative to traditional lettuce varieties.
- Multiple uses: Perfect for dipping, scooping, filling, creating canapés, and more.
- Carb-conscious option: A delicious alternative to bread for sandwiches and wraps.
- Kid-approved: Sweet taste and fun way to eat make it a hit with children.
- Extended shelf life: Stays fresh longer for convenient snacking throughout the week.
- Heat tolerant: Leaves don’t wilt when in contact with warm food.
The second product launched is Watercress. Renowned for its dedication to producing inventive and healthful produce, the farm is excited to expand its product line with one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens.
Watercress, a leafy green powerhouse, is packed with essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin K, A, and C. This nutrient-rich crop has been enjoyed for centuries, traditionally hand-harvested from streams, but difficult in commercial production.
McCormack Family Farms has recreated this natural environment by building water beds with flowing water systems on their farm. “There’s a strong demand for this well-known product, which is also considered a superfood, and as the farm grows and so does our brand, we’re delighted to finally bring it to retail stores nationwide. We’re particularly pleased to partner with Dunnes Stores to launch both Watercress and Snack Lettuce on the 40th anniversary of our farm,” noted Padraic McCormack, sales manager, McCormack Family Farms.
About McCormack Family Farms
McCormack Family Farms is a 2nd generation family-owned and operated business dedicated to growing the freshest, highest-quality leafy greens and herbs, based in Kiltale, Co. Meath. Established 40 years ago, the farm now cultivates over 300ha and is Ireland’s leading grower in its category. With a focus on innovation and sustainable practices, McCormack Family Farms is committed to providing consumers with tasty and healthy options for their tables. Its products are uniquely unwashed, which gives them naturally longer shelf life and they remain chlorine-free. Find out more about the farm and the range of products at www.mccormackfarms.ie
The Happy Pear releases new and improved protein-packed, plant-based meals
Mexican Style Burrito Bowl and Mushroom & Spinach Penne
As consumers grow more mindful of their health, they are looking for healthier choices whilst also reducing their meat intake. We are pleased to introduce new Happy Pear meals that feature foods rich in high-quality protein, without artificial preservatives or flavourings, along with enhancements to our existing meals range.
The new Mushroom & Spinach Penne is a creamy meal packed with earthy mushrooms and fresh spinach, providing an impressive 17 grams of plant-based protein. It’s low-fat and contains no artificial ingredients.
The new Mexican Style Burrito Bowl offers a hearty blend of beans, rice and vibrant spices that take your taste buds on a Mexican culinary adventure. With 9.6 grams of plant-based protein, it’s low in fat and is free from artificial ingredients.
The Happy Pear have also taken the opportunity to enhance some of their core Meals range.
The Veggie Lasagne offers ultimate comfort with its layered creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned vegetables, with additional lentils boosting protein in the meal.
For a twist on classic dishes, The Happy Pear Shepherdless Pie has been improved with the addition of peas, enhancing the grams of protein in the meal.
These meals along with The Chickpea Curry and Veggie Cannelloni are also now in vibrant new packaging showcasing the simple, nutritious ingredients in each meal.
Whether you need a quick lunch or a satisfying dinner, The Happy Pear’s plant-based meals are an ideal choice. They cater to all taste preferences making healthy eating both convenient and enjoyable
The new and enhanced Happy Pear Meals are now available exclusively in SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide.
Join the Conversation
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Instagram: @supervalu_irl @centra_irl @thehappypear
TikTok: @thehappypearfoods @supervalu_irl @centra_irl
Refreshment meets indulgence in a new ice cream experience
Oppo Refreshed has all the creaminess of ice-cream, combined with the zingy refreshment of sorbet – and it’s vegan!
Oppo Brothers adds to award-winning range of lower calorie ice cream by launching a brand-new ice cream concept – Oppo Refreshed – the decadent creaminess of ice cream meets the zingy refreshment of sorbet. And it’s vegan too.
Available in two flavours Oppo Refreshed bridges the gap between simple water ice pops and chocolate covered ice creams on a stick to deliver a truly indulgent, fruity ice cream experience. Oppo Refreshed is particularly creamy whilst also being a non-dairy option.
Oppo Refreshed sticks come in at only 49 calories (half the calories of a Solero) and enjoy Nutriscore A status. Of particular note is the high fruit content of each stick, making it not only a healthy but also superior quality frozen treat with a high percentage of natural ingredients.
- Oppo Refreshed Alphonso Mango & Passionfruit 3 x 95ml (€4.99) – Slow-churned sorbetto made with generous amounts of Alphonso mango purée (the world’s finest mango variety) and rippled with a small-batch-cooked tangy passionfruit swirl. All at 49 kcal per stick and vegan friendly too.
- Oppo Refreshed Raspberry Coulis Swirl 3 x 95ml (€4.99) – Slow-churned sorbetto made with the highest quality raspberry purée and rippled with a small-batch-cooked tangy raspberry coulis swirl. All at 49 kcal per stick and vegan friendly too.
Oppo Refreshed can be found at Tesco, SuperValu & Spar stores alongside Oppo’s award-winning range of 475ml tubs (Gooey Chocolate Brownie, Double Salted Caramel Swirl, Lotus biscuit-inspired Caramelised Biscuit Swirl and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough).
Harry Thuillier, Oppo’s founder, commented: “So far, ice cream treats have either been refreshing or indulgent. Water ices are great but don’t cut it when you’re looking to treat yourself. Chocolate covered sticks deliver on the indulgence but lack refreshment. We’ve smashed both sides of the category together to deliver a totally new experience. With summers getting hotter, finally here’s a treat that’s both refreshing and indulgent, and happens to have fewer calories too!” Visit: www.oppobrothers.com
Follow: @oppobrothersirl
Unislim celebrates crafting great tasting, healthy, delicious food for everyone!
Unislim Crispy Skinny Chips
Discover Unislim’s relaunched range of delicious, nutritious frozen foods. Featuring Unislim Crispy Skinny Chips 800g, Unislim Rustic Oven Chips 800g, and Unislim Sweet Potato Fries 450g – this range offers a healthier alternative. With vibrant packaging and a strong brand reputation, these products will generate healthy profits for your business. Created by Unislim’s top food experts, these products are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, low in saturated fats, contain no artificial colours, preservatives or flavourings and have been approved by Ireland’s top dieticians.
Unislim’s frozen ready meal range is made up of four mouth-watering, flavour-filled, delicious recipes, Green Thai Chicken Curry, Mango Chicken Curry, Spicy Chickpea Curry & the newest addition, Chicken Tikka Masala. High in protein but low in calories & fat. It makes mealtimes quick & convenient because sometimes we need Good Food Fast!
Unislim Sweet Potato Fries
Unislim’s product range is promoted through an integrated approach, utilizing both above-the-line and below-the-line marketing, with Unislim’s dedicated social media platform playing a key role in amplifying our brand message and connecting with our audience.
Unislim is a family run, Irish owned company. Its goal is to offer healthy, delicious, wholesome and great-tasting options for vegans and health-conscious foodies. It is Ireland’s leading slimming & healthy lifestyle club since 1972. We offer our loyal members a personalised and effective weight loss plan, which encourages them to make healthier food choices. With a network of over 240 supportive weekly classes all over Ireland or Unislim online there is a class near your store. Visit: www.unislim.com for more information.
‘More of what’s good for you’
Avonmore Slimline Milk is on a mission to help consumers improve their health and wellbeing in 2025. Their January campaign encourages consumers to do ‘More of what’s good for you’ for the year ahead. This message will be communicated through three limited edition cartons, inspiring consumers to Reset, Recharge and Refocus. The cartons feature a competition to win a luxury spa break and other weekly prizes including cinema tickets, sports gear, book vouchers and more. The campaign is supported with OOH advertising, in-store advertising and social media.
Avonmore Slimline milk is fat free and enriched with iron, vitamin C, vitamin D and folic acid, making it an easy to help you get more of what’s good for you.
Read more: Weigh to go!
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