Seaweed: An ocean full of opportunity?

Another key snacking trend at the show was seaweed, which is high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals and low in fat and calories. Here are two firms that caught our eye:

OCEAN'S HALO​: Two years ago, Robert Mock left the world of financial derivatives behind with an idea for a healthier chip. Today, Ocean’s Halo seaweed chips - which first hit stores in October 2013 - are available in Safeway, Whole Foods, Vons, Central Markets, Super Target, and many other stores nationwide, with listings in the produce and deli sections as well as the snacks and natural food aisles.

Unlike many ‘foodies’ at the show, Mock and New Frontier Foods co-founders Mike Shim, Shin Rhee and Mike Buckley have a background in finance and technology and have secured the capital and the contacts to launch and grow the business in the crucial early stages, said Mock, who is based in Burlingame, CA.

A 1oz serving of Ocean Chips, which are going through the organic certification process, contains 95 calories, 5g protein, 3g fiber, 40% of the RDA for vitamin A, 10% of the RDA for vitamin C and 90% of the RDA from vitamin B12, a nutrient lacking in the diet of many vegans and vegetarians.

SEASNAX: ​Los Angeles-based Seasnax started out selling roasted seaweed sheets in 2010 (seaweed, olive oil, sea salt), but has recently expanded its range with Chomperz and Stix, two new seaweed & rice-based snacks that are proving a hit with Moms looking for healthier lunchbox snacks for their kids, says founder and COO (chief of optimism) Jamie Jun.

“We’re strongest on the west coast but we’re in Whole Foods and independent stores nationwide now. People are getting more familiar with seaweed snacks, but the biggest barrier is still lack of awareness, so sampling is very important. It’s strange, people will eat sushi, but they are still not sure about seaweed until they try it.”​

Both firms source their porphyra​ seaweed from South Korea.