Speaking to FoodNavigator-USA at the Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show, Levey said chickpea butter was a logical adjacency for Field Trip (best known for its jerky), which is appealing to shoppers looking for portable protein via simple, nutritious foods.
“It’s not a hummus, and it’s not sticky in any way, it tastes just like a peanut butter… and for kids that want to bring peanut butter & jelly sandwiches to school but they can’t, they now have an alternative."
A nut-free alternative to peanut butter for parents looking for allergy-friendly products they can take to school, or those simply looking for more options in the emerging alternative butters segment, chickpea butter is not being positioned as a healthier alternative to Skippy et al, he stressed, noting that both have nutritional appeal.
For example, Field Trip’s classic chickpea butter has slightly less fat than Skippy creamy peanut butter (11g vs 16g), twice the fiber (4g vs 2g) slightly less protein (5g vs 7g), fewer calories (160 cals vs 190 cals), and a similar level of sugar (4g vs 3g).
The products launched on Amazon about a month ago and are coming to Thrive Market shortly, he said, with bricks & mortar accounts to follow rapidly.
“lt should be within about 10,000 doors by the end of the first quarter.”
Ingredients, chickpea butter classic: Roasted chickpeas, roasted sunflower seeds (sunflower kernels, sunflower oil), olive oil, organic coconut sugar, sea salt
