Onboard bites from DFMI
This is a special feature from PAX International's September 2021 WTCE Virtual digital edition, on page 35.
Whether flying a short distance or long-haul, airlines are always on the lookout for food that will keep the passenger satisfied. But, a lot of specifics are taken into consideration for a snack to find its way into the inflight offering. It must be delicious, have a long shelf-life, fit conveniently in the trolley, be packaged sustainably and be lightweight – to name a few requirements.
And the COVID-19 pandemic adds another important consideration to the list; minimal touch, prepackaged food is in demand, says Kim Brown, Director of Marketing at Georgia-based DFMi, the premiere sales and marketing company that works with brands to bring their quality food items to airline customers.
“There is still a focus on reducing touch points, and I don’t see this going away anytime soon,” Brown tells PAX.
Lesser Evil’s Mindful Snacking range offers snacks with organic ingredients from sustainable farms, made through energy-efficient production and with biodegradable packaging. The snacks include paleo puffs, veggie sticks and popcorn
Pre-packaged snacks, such as Nuttee Bean Co’s Favalicious fava bean snacks or Lesser Evil’s Mindful Snacking range, help reduce touch points throughout the supply chain process of getting food onboard, helping passengers feel safer while still fulfilling what the airline is looking for in a snack, Brown explains.
Favalicious is a fava bean-based snack made with whole roasted fava beans that are small batch roasted in expeller pressed high oleic sunflower oil. It is produced in an exclusive “fava bean only” facility to eliminate the risk of cross contamination with food allergens such as peanuts or gluten, and they are kosher, gluten-free, certified vegan, non-GMO verified and free of trans fat and cholesterol, ideal for travelers with dietary restrictions.
“Our promise is to deliver everything you need in a snack — no junk — everything you need, nothing you don’t,” said Frank Guido, founder of Nuttee Bean Co., in the company press release.
The snack is available in three flavors: chili and lime, wasabi and ginger, and salt and vinegar. Each two-ounce bag provides 14 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber.
Nuttee Bean Co’s Favalicious fava bean snacks in Wasabi & Ginger flavor
“We are also seeking out more vendors who have a strong sustainability program and long-term plans that will be compatible with the goals the airlines have for their corporate sustainability programs,” Browns says. The company is looking specifically at brands with packaging that is easily disposed of and “earth friendly,” as well as those that reduce single use items and use “bio friendly materials.”
Lesser Evil offers snacks with organic ingredients from sustainable farms, made through energy-efficient production and with biodegradable packaging as part of its Mindful Snacking range. The snacks include paleo puffs, veggie sticks and popcorn, each individually packaged.
The puffs fit almost every diet at 130 calories per serving. They are organic, vegan, grain free and nutrient-dense, packed with cassava flour, sweet potato flour and “good” fats to satisfy any snack craving. Once baked, the puffs are tumbled in organic oil, sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt. The popcorn is air-popped for a tender bite, made with "the best" fats and without refined sugars are salts. It is made with organic oils and Himalayan pink salt and rings in at just 10 calories per serving. The Veggie Sticks feature seven organic vegetables: cassava, tomato, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrot, spinach and broccoli, seasoned with organic olive oil.
