Pasta Category Busting with Innovation

A specific segment of the pasta category continues to explode with nutritious, innovative and delicious items from all over the globe. The segment of healthy and alternative pasta includes attributes which go further than gluten free, organic and non-GMO. Brands that focus on nutritional content, such as protein and fiber, while at the same time offering consumers great tasting pasta, will continue to excel in category reviews and buyer decisions. Additionally, companies who can illustrate charitable and philanthropic aspects of their organizations will certainly benefit in their desire to grow.

Only a few pasta brands have effectively built their sales, merchandising and marketing platforms to capitalize on nutrition, wellness and fitness. Adding a philanthropic component to these platforms brings only one brand, Explore Cuisine, to the top of the healthy and alternative sector within the pasta category. Since 2011, Explore Cuisine has led the healthy pasta revolution - one store, one co-op and one chain at a time. Beginning with the basic notion that every product the brand manufactures must be certified organic, gluten -free and non-GMO, Explore Cuisine takes additional steps to highlight the incredible nutritional benefits of plant-based bean pasta. Whether its protein, fiber, potassium or other components of the nutrition panel, Explore Cuisine is the solution for consumers and retailers alike.

This summer, Explore Cuisine expanded its product offerings to include nine new pastas…six brand new pastas and three re-formulations of existing SKUs. The launch of the six Explore Cuisine Pulse Pastas, has invigorated the category once again. Unique and innovative  Pulse Pastas, including Organic Chickpea Spaghetti, Organic Chickpea Fusilli, Organic Red Lentil Penne, Organic Green Lentil Penne, Organic Red Lentil Spaghetti and Organic Green Lentil Lasagne, have once again propelled the Explore Cuisine brand into high level discussions with distributors and retailers, large and small, throughout the US and Canada.  These new pastas are important to retailers’ categories because they taste and feel nearly identical to traditional wheat pasta, yet supply vital nutrition.  Because of this, Explore Cuisine’s Pulse Pasta SKUs are great for families, including children, who love pasta! All SKUs are certified organic, gluten free and non-GMO. Like some of their competitors, Explore Cuisine doesn’t take shortcuts when including claims on their packaging, and include certification icons directly on front of the package.

                Another segment within Explore Cuisines portfolio includes a re-formulation of their rice pasta SKUs. Beginning with the rebranded Explore Cuisine packaging, their rice pastas will include pea protein which allows the brand to continue to offer high protein pasta. An added benefit of the pea protein is that the great tasting pasta is extremely easy to prepare. In fact, there is almost no difference in preparation or directions to traditional wheat pasta and adding pea protein raises the protein content to an impressive 11g of protein per serving. While not as high as bean pasta (25g) or pulse pasta (13g), the protein content in Explore Cuisine’s rice pasta is a factor to watch for. Slightly less expensive than bean or pulse pasta, consumers will certainly be looking for these products at stores across the US.

                Explore Cuisine’s mission is to feed families healthy and nutritious foods from across the globe. The brand’s mission, however, doesn’t end there. Explore Cuisine firmly believes, at all levels within its organization, that giving back is a critically important component of the company growth and growth within the customers they partner with. Two percent of all Explore Cuisine worldwide proceeds go directly to the Food To Thrive Foundation, providing education, empowerment and advancement in farming programs to every Explore Cuisine team member. To learn more about carrying Explore Cuisine products in your store, please contact the brand directly at [email protected].