
Following on the heels of the successful launch of its chicken-and-hummus meal kit in 6- and 8-oz sizes in March 2015, Hummus Plus, LLC of Elk Grove Village, IL, has expanded its line to include a 4-oz snack pack in three varieties. According to the company, the addition of a new snack-sized portion was a natural decision for the brand, as it meets the ever-increasing demand for on-the-spot, wholesome nutrition.
Says David Gacom, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Hummus Plus, a Pure Mediterranean Foods Company, “Snacking continues to be a megatrend in the U.S., with consumers looking for smaller portions in on-the-go packaging. At the same time, there is ongoing interest in better-for-you snacks that are high in protein. The new Hummus Plus snack-size package delivers on many fronts, with portability, nutrition, and convenience.”
Introduced in mid-April 2016 and now available to retailers and deli operators across the U.S., the snack pack provides up to 14 g of protein and 6 g of fiber and includes a utensil and napkin for easy, on-the-go consumption.
The package consists of a bottom PET “cup” in a flared bowl shape topped by a PET dome that snaps into place. The bottom cup, which holds 3 oz of hummus, is sealed with a branded foil/film lidstock. The top container holds a 1-oz vacuum pack of fresh chicken along with the pre-packaged spork and napkin. Both containers are supplied by EasyPak LLC and are held together with a full-body film label printed in seven colors by MPI Label Systems.
Gacom says that through a combination of product formulation and pasteurization technology, the snack pack has a 75-day shelf life for in-store merchandising or in the consumer’s refrigerator.
In addition to traditional retail outlets, the 4-oz snack pack is also sold by major foodservice operators, including hospitals, amusement parks, and convenience stores. The product carries a suggested retail price of $2.99/pack.