Sometimes in life, you just get lucky. As a blogger who loves to write about healthy snacks (and sometimes partake in not so healthy sweets), being asked to staff a booth at the NCA’s Sweets and Snacks Show is like hitting the lottery. I am not going to sugar coat it, it was AWESOME! How awesome? Well, there were “over 620 vendors exhibiting candy snacks over 3 ACRES.” Seriously. I also met some awesome young entrepreneurs from some great new companies like Dang Foods and SuperEats.
I had the opportunity to work with Kimberly and team from Simple Squares. Simple Squares makes awesome 5 ingredient snack bars that are organic, non-GMO, unfired (a/k/a raw), healthy, sweet-savory and delicious. I loved being able to tell attendees that we were the healthiest thing that they’d find at the show! We also shared our space with Dang Foods’ founders Vincent and Andrew. I was SO excited because I love, love, love the toasted coconut from Dang Foods!
I had the opportunity to sample a bunch of awesome new foods and hook up with some Finds’ faves vendors, too! I guess that I may have to call this post “Tried it Tuesday or Plan to Try it Tuesday.” I am going to tell you about the snacks I tried and ones that I plan to review in more detail (and giveaway, too!)
Here are some of my Snack Show finds:
I reviewed Simple Squares last year (HERE). Simple Squares are “savory-sweet”, organic snack bars infused with honey and herbs. They prove that whole foods can be easy, on the go snacks.
The flavors are Cinna-Clove, Sage, Coconut,Rosemary, Coffee and Ginger. The bars are all natural, non-GMO, paleo and gluten free certified, free of wheat, gluten, dairy, corn, soy, a sustainable source of energy and free of refined sugars, brown rice syrup or agave. They are also delicious. The bars are very tasty mix of sweet and savory. The flavors are fresh and not overpowering. The savory flavors, Sage and Rosemary, are my favorite. The herbs are light and the honey is a perfect counterbalance. Simple Squares keep me full for a long time. I learned at the show that Coconut is most popular!
Have you tried Simple Squares?? You should. You can also keep up with Simple Squares on Facebook and Twitter.
We shared our space with Dang Foods’ founders Vincent and Andrew. I was SO excited because I love, love, love the toasted coconut from Dang Foods! Dang Foods makes awesome toasted coconut chips from a family recipe. The original flavor has only three ingredients: coconut, salt and sugar. The chips are vegan, gluten free, non-GMO, high in fiber and lauric acid and contain no cholesterol. Oh, and they are delicious and addictive. They also have a Salted Caramel flavor and this summer they are launching Greek Yogurt and Dark Chocolate toasted coated coconut chips. I got to try all of these and they are all amazing. I think Original is still my favorite.
I am working on a giveaway with Dang Foods, so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Here is a preview of some reviews to come – and some giveaways, too!
SuperEats kale and chia chips – I loved SuperEats’ kale and chia chips and meeting founders Charlie and Aaron. The chips come in Sea Salt Cheddar, Ranch, Tomato Basil, Chili Lime and Original. I love the Chili Lime and Original and was super psyched to find some in my Vegan Cuts box and my Urth Box this month. The chips are natural, gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, vegan and paleo-friendly. SuperEats are “Packed with the Good Stuff.” They created a chip that “not only avoids the bad stuff, but actually gives your body what it needs.” These chips are stuffed with the antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins of kale, along with the fiber, protein, energy and Omega-3 fatty acids of chia. You have to try these! In the meantime, keep up with SuperEats on Facebook and Twitter.
Ricky’s Lucky Nuts – They say, “Say goodbye to boring roasted nuts!” Ricky’s Lucky Nuts created uniquely flavored peanuts “designed to perk up your senses and entice your taste buds.” The sweet and spicy peanuts are GMO-free and made from all-natural ingredients. The peanuts come in savory and sweet nut varieties including Thai Red Curry, Sweet Chai, Spicy Chile Chipotle, Real Coffee, and Black Pepper & Sea Salt! I sampled some at the show but will be back with a detailed review! You can check out Ricky’s Lucky Nuts on Facebook and Twitter.
Gourmet Nut Power Up Mixes – Gourmet Nut makes quality, healthy, and delicious gourmet foods, snacks, and treats. I love their Power Up line and have already been snacking on these and have a giveaway lined up. They are healthy snack mixes that are all-natural, gluten free and vegan. They are also fresh and delicious! The Anti-Oxidant Mix is my fave, but they are all very good. Stay tuned for a giveaway, but in the meantime, you can check out Gourmet Nut’s other product lines and follow on Twitter and Facebook.
JAKE Vitamin Candy – Vitamincandy™ was developed with one goal “to provide the world with a sugar free candy that can be enjoyed every day with added benefits.” These candies have Vitamin C, a combination of multivitamins and all natural antioxidants. The candy comes in 6 flavors: grape, green tea, coconut blueberry, peach, tangerine and reaspberry. I tried the coconut blueberry and grape and they were both tasty. I am going to try the rest and write a more detailed review (and maybe host a giveaway) so stay tuned. In the meantime, you can follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Country Archer Jerky – There was a TON of jerky at the show. I loved the flavors I tried from Country Archer. I had some on the ride home to neutralize all of the sugar I ate on the way out of the show! This jerky is made in Southern California and is all natural and does not contain preservatives or MSG. They make 6 flavors: Beef Teriyaki, Hot, Turkey Teriyaki, Sweet ‘n’ Spicy, Original and Peppered flavors. I tried Hot and Turkey Teriyaki and give them both two thumbs up! It was fresh and delicious. You can keep up with Country Archer on Facebook and Twitter.
Torie & Howard Organic Hard Candy– You may remember that I mentioned Torie & Howard’s hard candies in my April Bestowed box review. I said, “I love hard candy and these are delicious and refreshing. They last a long time, too!” At the show I tried all of the flavors and they gave me a bunch to giveaway! These candies are USDA certified organic, contain all natural ingredients, Kosher certified, free of any preservatives, additives, artificial flavoring, chemicals or dyes. They are also allergy friendly. The flavors are d’anjou pear and cinnamon (my fave!), pomegranate and nectarine, blood orange and honey and pink grapefruit and tupelo honey. I will be hosting a giveaway and reviewing all of the flavors in detail, but in the mean time, I am going to preview it by giving away a few tins and maybe a few extras, too!
I also had a ton of old fave candies, Emergems, Lovely Candies (giveaway coming!) and Finds’ fave Perky Jerky. Good thing I got to take home samples and did not eat everything all at once!
The winners are: Mary (#20), Amy O, Jasmine P and Allison! If you didn’t win, don’t worry, I have more Torie and Howard’s to share soon!
Want to share in some of the spoils from my snack show? I will giveaway 4 tins of Torie and Howard hard candies (and some extras) to 4 lucky winners as a preview to the detailed review and giveaway.
Want to WIN? There are several ways to enter:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me which Torie & Howard Organic Hard Candy flavor is most interesting to you (and which other Snack Show Find you most want to try.)
- Like Torie and Howard on Facebook and Like Erica Finds on Facebook. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.
- Follow Torie and Howard on Twitter and follow me on Twitter. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.
- Pin this post or share it somewhere. Leave a separate comment telling me you did.
The giveaway runs through Tuesday, June 3rd. I will select a winner with random.org based on comment number on Wednesday, June 4th. Winner must be a US resident and the giveaway is void where prohibited.
Thanks for checking out my Snack Show Finds! Which do you want to try most??
Please note: I was provided promotional samples at no cost. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.