PG Web Extra: Brownie Points for Health

Sheila G.'s Brownie Brittle isn't just good, it's also good for you -- or, at least, better than many other school lunch options. The Chocolate Chip variety of the product line, for example, "delivers a snacking experience kids love, with only 120 calories per 1-ounce serving and 35 calories from fat," asserts Chris Pruneda, chief marketing officer at West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Brownie Brittle LLC.

The company's new lunchbox-ready Brownie Brittle 6-pack box of 1-ounce Brownie Brittle Chocolate Chip bags provide "one for each school day, plus one left over for Mom!" he notes. Retailing for a suggested $5.99, the 6-pack hit stores in October at retailers such as Safeway and Wegmans Food Markets.

To cement its kid credentials even further, classic children's-literature character Paddington Bear, soon to star in a film premiering on Christmas Day, is appearing on the 6-pack box for a limited time. For the tie-in packaging's rollout, Brownie Brittle created attractive Paddington-themed 30-count shippers. Additional information is available from Progressive Grocer's recent online coverage of the "Paddington" promotion.

Better-for-you options for youngsters need to perform a dual role, Pruneda believes. "Health trends are creating demand for products that provide both delicious and balanced options for kids," he notes. "Kids need foods that they can enjoy, but that also contribute to a balanced diet. Successful brands will deliver this balance in lunchbox-friendly options."