Pop Secret appoints Sabrina star “Chief of Butter”

Kids who grew up in the 1990s and couldn’t get enough of teen TV hits Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Clarissa Explains It All know very well who Melissa Joan Hart is. In her latest role, the icon has been enlisted by the Our Home brand to listen in on consumers’ confessions with its Spill Everything campaign. To participate, call 1-844-SPILL-PS, listen to MJH’s secret, share your own, listen in on previously shared secrets, and pick up on some tasty offers and popcorn tips. "I got the job as Pop Secret’s Chief of Butter because if anyone knows how to serve up hot, buttery drama, it’s a girl who’s tackled teenage witchcraft and high school—twice!" the star exclaims. “I have a juicy secret to share, and I want to hear what fans have to spill, too: nothing goes better with secrets than buttery popcorn."

Land O’Lakes unveils kicks that give back

Courtesy of CloveSpeaking of butter: the dairy ingredients and products provider has teamed with Clove, a brand best known for protecting the feet of hard-working healthcare professionals, on shoes made in good taste. As reported by Dairy Foods, the footwear is made in buttery shades, with the brand’s signature C on the side, and available on goclove.com for a limited time. What’s more, Land O'Lakes is donating $15,000 worth of butter (about 3,744 pounds) and Clove is giving 88 pairs of sneakers to Philabundance, one of the largest food banks in Philadelphia (Clove’s home region), to help out both families in need as well as frontline healthcare workers who spend long hours on their feet.

Doughboy to live large in the Big Apple

Courtesy of Pillsbury
To commemorate Pillsbury super-sizing its crescent rolls, biscuits, and other take-and-bake items, the company’s doughy mascot is making an appearance this weekend in New York City in a big way. On Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, a 25-foot-tall version of the Doughboy will make an appearance in Brooklyn Bridge Park, inviting visitors to try the new, larger-than-ever products, snap a pic, and poke him in the belly to hear his famous “hoo hoo!” Consumers who aren’t within a subway ride of NYC can log onto PokeTheDoughboy.com starting that day to virtually poke the belly, get a digital rebate, and find products near them.

HI-CHEW marks its birthday with sweet merch

The global candy company celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and it’s throwing a party complete with some sweet party favors. Available exclusively to U.S. consumers through TikTok Shop, the branded items include a broad range of colorful patches, enamel pins, bag charms, and a purse that looks just like a giant pillow pack of the fruit-flavored candy. “This commemorative collection is a fun and unique way to bring that energy and our appreciation to life,” says Teruhiro “Terry” Kawabe, chief representative for the U.S. and CEO of brand owner Morinaga America. “It's the perfect way to celebrate 50 years of HI-CHEW with our fans."

Mars treat pack aims at two- and four-legged snackers 

Courtesy of Mars
Many dog parents who enjoy Halloween bring their furbabies into the fun in various ways, whether it’s dressing them up in pet costumes or taking them along for a walk on their trick-or-treat path. This year, the company is helping them take the spooky celebration a step further with a multi-pack with goodies for the human and canine members of their family. The Tails & Treating kit includes some of their most popular seasonal treats for people (M&Ms, Snickers, and Skittles), as well as for the pups (Pedigree Drizzlers kibble toppers and Greenies dental treats)—they even throw in some Temptations cat treats for the feline set. The company is offering the festive kit for $10.31 (appropriate, considering the holiday date) at marstailsandtreating.com and making a $10,000 donation to pets in need. 

General Mills scares up set of Stranger snacks

Courtesy of General Mills

Fans of Stranger Things are feeling bittersweet about the arrival of the next season in November, because the episodes will be the hit Netflix show’s last. The food company is coming out with a range of tasty tie-ins to help enthusiasts celebrate the program (or mourn its end) with a line of snacks across various popular brands:

• Fruit by the Foot: the chewy treat will come in a mystery flavor, plus a set of collectible stickers featuring Eleven and the other characters
• Gushers Holiday Minis: the chewy tropical-flavored bites (and packaging tied into the iconic Christmas lights that figure into a plot line (no spoilers, for those behind in watching)
• Fruit Roll-Ups: the variety pack features Blue Razzberry, Strawberry Blas,t and Tropical Tie-Dye flavors, along with tongue tattoos and a pixel-style sticker
• Totino’s Hellfire Club Pizza Rolls: named for the gang of misfits on the show, the snacks come in Spicy Pepperoni Pizza and Spicy Cheese Pizza varieties

 If you've got off-the-beaten-path news involving snacks, baked goods, or candy, send them my way: spinnerj@bnpmedia.com.