Fun Friday: Kraft launches wild Mac & Cheese flavor, Compartés comes up with a beauty, Alpha Baking ramps up cocktail rye production
Hu unveils a mural in Virginia celebrating the work of cocoa farmers around the world.
Hu celebrates the art of fairtrade chocolate
The chocolate brand celebrated October’s National Fairtrade Month in a number of ways. One, the company shared notable findings from the 2024 Fairtrade Impact Report, which shared its efforts to help cocoa farmers secure fair wages and better working conditions. Another is unveiling a striking mural in Richmond, VA—featuring farmer Aminata Sannoh and painted by local artist Jason Ford, the artwork was commissioned by Fairtrade America. The mural aims to celebrate farmers like Sannoh, and to increase awareness of the importance of fairtrade cocoa.
Kraft blends two Turkey Day dishes in one
Courtesy of Kraft Heinz
The company is turning heads and raising eyebrows with a sweet-and-savory LTO combining macaroni and cheese, and fresh-baked apple pie. To push its offbeat Kraft Mac & Cheese Apple Pie, the company enlisted the help of actor/producer/director Jason Biggs, best known for roles on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black and a memorable scene in American Pie too spicy to detail here. “Kraft Mac & Cheese Apple Pie flavor is daring yet delicious and is bound to be the talk of the Thanksgiving table this year,” Biggs says. “This flavor combo is unexpected, but it just works.” Interested, adventurous consumers can pick up a box at walmart.com.
Alpha Baking ramps up for cocktail-bread season
The company behind S. Rosen diminutive ryes and other baked loaves is preparing for its busy season. According to the company, the products are crafted using a 116-year-old starter and state-of-the-art baking equipment. “Whether it’s the classic Reuben that’s a Midwest staple, the Hanky Panky appetizer that Ohio calls its own, or a family recipe handed down for generations, rye bread is at the center of so many holiday tables,” says Tim Lotesto, VP of sales. In 2024, the company reportedly produced 1,202,685 loaves of cocktail rye, weighing 902,014 pounds—the equivalent of 7,703 reindeer—and sliced into more than 42 million pieces. If placed end-to-end, those slices would stretch 3,120 miles, farther than Santa’s annual trek from Chicago to the North Pole.
Compartés announces a pretty sweet collab
Courtesy of Compartes
The premium chocolate brand has partnered with YSE Beauty on the limited-edition Dark Chocolate Champagne Collagen Powder Bar. The skincare-inspired treat offers an indulgent mixture of ingredients designed to uplift a consumer’s appearance, as well as their spirits. “Sweet in taste and even sweeter in benefits. I’m beyond excited about our Compartés x YSE collab—we created a chocolate bar you can actually feel good about eating. Infused with collagen, it’s as kind to your skin as it is to your taste buds,” says Molly Simms, YSE Beauty’s founder and chief creative officer. “Of course, we added champagne—because it wouldn’t be the holidays without a little bubbly!”
Heidi Klum loves this Ferrero candy so much, it’s scary
Courtesy of FerreroKnown for her epic annual Halloween shindig—which hit its 24th iteration this year—the supermodel invited Marshmallow Butterfinger (unveiled earlier this year) as the party’s guest of honor. "Halloween is my favorite time of the year and what better way to celebrate than by teaming up with an iconic candy bar brand who loves it just as much as I do," states Klum. Unrecognizable in her Medusa costume, the Queen of Halloween passed out the bars, (along with Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, and 100 Grand ice cream candy bars) from a zombie freezer cart.
Got any off-the-beaten-path news involving snacks, baked goods, or candy? Please send them to Senior Editor Liz Parker Kuhn at parkerkuhne@bnpmedia.com. Thanks for reading!
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