Pipcorn Heirloom Crunchies
SUMMER 2021 23
Snacking to Save the World
At online grocer Hive, which vets specialty products for taste, ingredient
integrity, low carbon footprint, recyclable packaging, and a commitment to
social good, consumers are encouraged to "snack like it'll change the world,"
and can filter products by dietary parameters such as vegan or gluten-free;
attributes like B Corp or BIPOC Owned; and the causes that brands are
linked to such as Education or Poverty & Hunger relief.
Shiitake-based Pan's Mushroom Jerky, available in flavors like
Applewood Barbecue, Zesty Thai, and Salt & Pepper, is a best-seller,
according to Kate Harper, chief brand curator at the retailer. "Even the meat
eaters here can't believe that they're made with mushrooms," she says.
Quinn Foods Pretzels Nuggets, which are gluten-free, vegan, and filled
with Creamy Peanut Butter, Maple Almond Butter, or Dark Chocolate'y
Peanut Butter, also sell well at Hive, as do Pipcorn Heirloom Cheddar
Cheese Balls and Rhythm Superfoods' organic veggie chips, available in
flavors like Kool Ranch Kale Chips, Beet Chips with Sea Salt, and Zesty
Nacho Kale Chips, notes Harper. "They're always very popular," she says.
Hive's offering also includes upcycled snacks from Regrained which
uses spent grains from the beer brewing process to make its Supergrain+
Puffs in flavors like Texas Pit BBQ, Mexican Street Corn, and Aged Sharp
Cheddar with Parmesan and Bleu Cheese. Pulp Chips from Pulp Pantry are
made from pressed vegetables and use 50 percent upcycled ingredients,
while Kettle Cooked Uglies Potato Chips are made from "ugly" potatoes that
