Justin’s Expands Offerings with Launch of USDA Certified Organic Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces

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January 23, 2024

Boulder, Colo.

Nuts about crafting high-quality, real-food products, Justin’s provides consumers looking for alternatives to conventional chocolate candy with a clean swap for nostalgic favorites

Justin’s, a category leader known for crafting delicious, real-food products that contribute to the world in a positive and meaningful way, is excited to introduce its latest innovation – Chocolate Candy Pieces – a clean swap for a nostalgic favorite. With this innovation, the brand has expanded its portfolio of organic chocolate treats beyond its beloved nut butter cups, offering consumers a variety of nutty chocolate formats that not only taste great, but are made with ingredients that they can feel good about, too. These treats are USDA certified organic, use Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, are Non-GMO Project Verified and are available in two mouth-watering varieties, Dark Chocolate Peanut and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter.

According to Hartman Group’s 2023 Health and Wellness Report, there has been a growing desire for permissible indulgences with 50% of consumers considering indulgent foods an important part of a balanced life. Additionally, 30% of households with kids are purchasing cleaner versions of classic chocolate candies.¹ When it comes to nut based chocolate candy pieces, organic options have not yet been available, making Justin’s the first to offer a USDA certified organic option in the category with this launch.

“At Justin’s, we’re committed to crafting real-food products that offer a moment of deserved indulgence,” said Penny Andino, vice president of marketing at Justin’s. “We are thrilled to bring these delicious Peanut and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces to our fans, expanding beyond nut butter cups and into another beloved nostalgic treat. Fans can eat these nutty, chocolatey and crunchy treats by the handful while feeling good that they’re made with the same high standards as our Nut Butter Cups, offering high-quality ingredients that are USDA organic certified, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher, and use Rainforest Alliance cocoa.”

Justin’s^® Chocolate Candy Pieces are made with ingredients you can recognize, including coloring from fruits and veggies instead of synthetic dyes and contain no stevia or artificial sweeteners. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Candy Pieces are a perfect balance between roasted peanuts and dark chocolate with a crunchy candy shell. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy Pieces are made with Justin’s very own peanut butter providing a new way for fans to enjoy the brand’s one-of-a-kind grind. Justin’s^® Chocolate Candy Pieces are available in both shareable (4.5oz – MSRP $6.49) and single-serve (1.5oz – MSRP $2.29) pouches to accommodate delectable cravings whenever they may arise.

Justin’s^® Chocolate Candy Pieces can be enjoyed as a midday pick-me-up, an evening treat and, if you’re extra generous, shared with a friend. To help generate awareness for the launch, Justin’s is working with its retail partners on a variety of sampling and promotional programs. Additionally, the brand is building consumer excitement through an integrated digital campaign that celebrates the delicious taste, mindfully-sourced ingredients and versatility of the Peanut and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces. Fans can even get their piece of this delicious new innovation by entering an ‘Outdoor Play to Aprés’ social giveaway on the brand’s Instagram from February 5 – 26, featuring coveted products from Fjällräven, Klean Kanteen and Turtle Fur.

Justin’s^® Dark Chocolate Candy Pieces will be available at Whole Foods Markets, Amazon, The Fresh Market and at register at Stop & Shop starting later this month, with additional national distribution on the horizon.

¹Source: Hartman Group “Health and Wellness Report” 2023; IRI Panel MULO 52WE 04.23.23

About Justin’s

Established in 2004 in the home kitchen of health enthusiast Justin Gold, Justin’s supports an on-the-go lifestyle with an extensive line of naturally delicious, high-quality nut butter and USDA-certified organic chocolate treats. Justin’s is known for delivering delicious taste, a ‘one-of-a-kind’ grind texture and convenient nutrition. For more information about how Justin’s is building a collective that is nuts about making the world a more resilient, well-fed place, visit Justins.com, Facebook.com/JustinsNutButter, Instagram.com/Justins, TikTok.com/justinsbrand and Pinterest.com/Justins.

About Hormel Foods – Inspired People. Inspired Food.™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters^®, Skippy^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin’s^®, Wholly^®, Hormel^® Black Label^®, Columbus^®, Jennie-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named one of the best companies to work for by U.S. News & World Report, one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek, recognized on Fast Company’s list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators, has appeared on the “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world’s most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit hormelfoods.com.