Native Snacks

Native Snacks’ trio will land in Sourced on 18 February

UK startup Native Snacks is set to make its grocery debut this month with a Popped Lotus Seeds range.

Founded with the aim of launching “new and exciting, minimally processed plant-based snacks” from around the globe, Native’s first selection is made with lotus seeds from India.

Cheesy, Jalapeño & Kaffir Lime and Pink Salt & Black Pepper (£1.20/22g) would “tick all the current nutritional trends: plant-based, under 99 calories per bag, a source of fibre, zero-sugar and rich in minerals” said the London brand.

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Made from the seeds of lotus flowers, the gluten-free snacks are sourced directly from farms in Bihar, India. They are heat-popped using biofuels and then roasted to become “healthy yet light and crunchy”, with 100g containing no more than 437kcals and 2g of satfat.

The trio will land in Sourced Market on 18 February, while deals with wholesalers Marigold Health Foods and Taste Distribution are confirmed, and listings with grocers are expected soon.

For each pack sold, Native will donate 1p to support ‘health camps’ for the farmers of Bihar, one of India’s poorest states, to detect risks of heart disease and strokes, and raise awareness about infections.

“With consumers being more adventurous than ever, and a growing change towards plant-based diets, we truly believe Native Snacks is correctly placed to become the next globally loved snack brand, while taking our consumers on a snacking journey around the world,” said co-founder Charlie Bowker.

He and partner Darcy Ogston set up Native with the ambition “to pioneer plant-based snack products that have a long-lasting social impact”.