Four Finalists Develop Kid-friendly, Nutritious Snacks
by Kelly Frederick
For the second year, the Disney-IFT Student Association (IFTSA) Product Development Competition challenged student teams to address an important wellness need by creating healthy snacks for kids. Participating teams were asked to develop a nutritious, unique, and innovative concept, applicable to a food or beverage item for retail or foodservice, and intended for children under the age of 12.
Finalists from four universities will participate in oral finals on Monday, July 19, at 2 p.m. in the Special Events Pavilion, Booth 6163 on the Food Expo floor. Winners of the competition, which is sponsored by Disney Consumer Products, will be announced on Monday, July 19, at the IFTSA Welcome Assembly, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Hilton Chicago’s Grand Ballroom.
One travel grant of $1,000 will be awarded to each of the four finalist teams. The travel grants are provided to help subsidize the expenses incurred for airfare and lodging to compete at the Annual Meeting. The grand prize winners will receive a check for $7,500 and a trophy from Disney. The first place winners will receive a check for $3,500, while the two remaining teams will be given honorary prizes in the form of a check for $1,000.
Here’s a peek at the entries submitted by the four finalists.
• Snackatouille. Developed by the University of Arkansas team, this combo snack contains three items: (1) Cheese-filled chicken-vegetable balls (which can also be produced in the shape of chicken fingers as an alternative); (2) Vegetable dip; and (3) Two fruit jellies—a berry medley (mixture of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry) and a mango fruit variety.
• Finding Nemo’s Pasta Pals. This vegetable-based pasta meal, consisting of colorful gnocchi-like pasta shaped as fish, starfish, and turtles, was concocted by the Cornell University team. The sweet potato, spinach, beet, and potato ingredients provide natural, vibrant colors. Each Pasta Pal is produced separately, die-cut, cooked, and blast-frozen before packaging. The frozen meal is packaged in a microwavable, environmentally friendly container to provide sustainability and convenience for consumers. Paired with a savory tomato sauce, Finding Nemo’s Pasta Pals is a nutritious, low-calorie meal.
• Mickey’s Pocket Pies. Student formulators at the University of California, Davis, devised these delicious and nutritious pies filled with dough, fruits, and vegetables. The pies, which are in the shape of Mickey’s head, are made with a 100% white whole wheat crust, butter, apple juice concentrate, nonfat milk powder, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. The inside of the pie is filled with a flavorful blend of real peaches, bananas, butternut squash, and carrots. There is no added sugar.
• Snow White’s Apple Puffs. The University of Illinois team created this gluten-free, crunchy puffed snack that is made with apples, rice, and all natural ingredients. This healthy snack is extruded and baked, not fried. Each serving of Snow White’s Apple Puffs contains one full serving of real apples.
