On The Healthier Side
Businesses use promotional products to surprise and delight recipients, and who doesn’t love a private-labeled chocolate bar or custom cookie?
But these sweet treats don’t make sense for every promotion. After all, a buttery cookie from your doctor’s office or gym would send a confusing message. When a wellness theme makes more sense, there are plenty of promo options for healthier snacks, as well as spices and teas.
Locally sourced goodies are also in high demand, with many distributors looking for partners in their area when building fully custom kits for clients. It’s just a matter of creative sourcing – and making sure your clients know you can do it, says Cola Henderson, co-founder and operations director of MYLO Brand Studio, a distributor based in Omaha, Nebraska.
“It’s a never-ending education process for us, because there’s so much available in this industry, and we have incredible capabilities and resources,” she adds, “but people don’t know what they don’t know.”
People with food allergies are also a growing market that remains underserved. “In our industry, I feel like there’s a real hole for that – there’s no real great options out there for certified nut-free or anything,” says Javier Melendez, a national account executive with Massachusetts-based distributor Walker-Clay. Melendez, who is allergic to nuts, thinks there’s significant potential in promo for the allergy-friendly food niche, even if it means sourcing a retail brand.
He’s not the only one. “We are seeing more healthy and allergen-sensitive snack requests,” says Nick Lateur, director of sales for Massachusetts-based supplier HPG, which offers a “MyBatch” tool so you can build your own custom kit from their assortment of snacks and other items.
Here are just a handful of the more health-conscious snack options in promo:
Herbal teas are a wellness staple. Rooibos tea is free of caffeine but full of antioxidants, and drinking it may have positive effects on blood pressure and cholesterol. Send a Tea Tube with Story Booklet featuring your client’s logo and a stock or fully custom design. “They’re wildly creative people, so giving them a theme and letting them come up with copy is fun,” says Samantha Fullerton, a Canadian senior account executive with California-based distributor BAMKO. Available in five flavors.
Le Tour de Spice / PPAI 762815, S3
Fullerton also recommends Sofia’s Cookies for bulk snacks – like the new Spicy Guac Mix, a blend of spicy peanuts, seasoned seeds, corn and guacamole crisps – that are packaged in airtight canisters that can be customized with full-color labels, including each individual recipient’s name. “They do really nice mailer boxes, and I love that you can personalize them,” she says. “They’re fabulous.”
Sofia’s Cookies / PPAI 481271, S1
Hey, popcorn is a whole grain! Give a wholesome snack and reusable popper with this Movie Night Gourmet Popcorn Gift Set, which includes a W&P silicone popper bowl, assorted Urban Accent non-GMO popcorn kernels and multiple seasoning shakers.
Gemline / PPAI 113948, S11
It may not be exactly healthy, but this Gluten-Free Vegan Snack Kit provides an allergy-friendly option with treats that are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. The customizable box is available in small or large and comes stuffed with brand-name snacks such as popcorn, kettle chips, veggie straws and Sour Patch Kids.
Midnite Snax / PPAI 113793, S3
Give outdoorsy folks an energy boost with the Happy Trails Healthy Gourmet Kit, an attractive gift box that contains dried fruit snacks, KIND cinnamon oats granola clusters, beef jerky and deluxe trail mix.
NC Custom / PPAI 111662, S7
Hydration is a must, and this 22-oz. ChicTritan Infuser bottle enables recipients to add flavor with a detachable infuser for fruit slices, herbs and more. The removable, curved thermoplastic spout and accent lid comes in black or green.
St Regis Group / PPAI 230188, S6
Recharge your mind, body and tech tools with the Recharge Kit. The customizable Juicebox power bank comes with gourmet snacks, including a toasted coconut + vanilla bean bar by Taos Bakes, a chocolate + cacao protein bar by Atlas, a mixed nut bar by South Forty and a pour-over coffee pack by Back Porch Coffee Roasters.
HPG / PPAI 110772, S11