April Club Fx-Approved New Product Roundup
The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.
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It’s that time again: your monthly Club Fx-Approved New Product Roundup! This is my opportunity to introduce you to the latest and greatest foods to hit the shelves at your local Heinen’s.
From dried fruit to fresh fruit, you can feel confident that these five foods passed the Club Fx-Approved test and meet our strict criteria as a whole food, whole food derivative, or healthier alternative to more conventional products.
Hello, I’m Ugly Fruit
Ben Moore started the Ugly Company as a way to prevent the food waste he witnessed firsthand as a truck driver, hauling discarded imperfect fruit from packing houses and dumping it in open fields. This experience inspired Ben to save what he called “funny-looking” fruit.
You could also call this fruit “naked” because it contains no added sugar, additives, or preservatives. Just plain fruit and nothing else! What’s more, the fruit goes from tree to dried fruit in under 48 hours and uses low-temperature air drying to retain the most nutrition possible.
The company takes it one step further and tells you how many pounds of fresh fruit were saved in each bag of Ugli fruit you buy.
Do your part to prevent food waste by snacking on Ugli fruit straight from the bag, adding it to homemade trail mixes, stirring it into oatmeal or yogurt, or tossing it on a salad.
Available at Heinen’s in the Dried Fruit aisle in mango, nectarine, peach, plum, apricot, and cherry.
Alden’s USDA Organic Frozen Dessert Bars
A Club Fx-Approved frozen treat made with real ice cream? I promise you’re not dreaming.
Alden’s USDA Organic frozen dessert bars are a perfect example of a healthier alternative to a more conventional product. Typical ice cream bars can have long ingredient lists, including artificial flavors and colors, corn syrup, and trans fats, not to mention between 18 and 20 grams of added sugar per bar.
Alden’s Orange Cream and Chocolate Fudge frozen dessert bars contain nothing artificial, are made with organic cream, and have 10 grams of added sugar. At first glance, this may seem like a lot of sugar, but they can absolutely fit into an Fx-style eating plan, which is naturally low in added sugars and chock full of plants.
You can find these two Club Fx-Approved varieties in 4-count boxes in the Frozen Department next to the other frozen desserts.
Pacific Organic Soups
Pacific’s roots go back to 1987 when their founder set out to make nourishing foods using organic ingredients. Decades later they carry this legacy forward with consciously crafted soups and plant-based milks to enhance the well-being of people. Pacific Foods believes that organic and plant-based options are critical ways to foster our communities…and I agree! From lightly salted chicken and wild rice to hearty vegetable lentil, they’ve got a soup to nourish every body as a side, a secret ingredient or a satisfying meal all its own.
Available at Heinen’s in the Soup aisle in these Fx-Approved varieties: lightly salted chicken & wild rice; cream of chicken condensed; Tuscan bean minestrone; vegetable lentil; chicken wild rice; chicken noodle.
The Spice House
Founded in 1957, The Spice House has spent over 60 years curating a network of premium growers and distributors to offer the finest spices, herbs, blends, and extracts to its customers.
Sprinkle their bestselling Great North Maple Garlic on roasted sweet potatoes or popcorn, add a bold finish to fish, omelets, and vegetables with a sprinkle of Lakeshore Shallot & Herb, or spice up your backyard barbecue with their Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher’s Rub.
The Spice House’s premium blends are in the Spice aisle of your local Heinen’s.
Melissa’s Pixie Tangerines
Sourced from our friends at Melissa’s Produce, Ojai (pronounced “oh hi”) Pixie Tangerines are California-grown, seedless tangerines that are among the last citrus fruits to ripen. Their extra growing time makes them extra sweet!
Because of their small size and easy-to-peel skin, Pixie Tangerines make the perfect on-the-go snack. But don’t let their size fool you! These little guys are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is powerful in reducing inflammation, strengthening the immune system, and boosting collagen production within the skin.
Pixies are only around for a short time (March to May), so get them while you can! They are best stored at cool room temperatures for up to one week or refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Key Takeaway
Spring is the perfect time to shake off the dust (or snow!) of winter and shake up your meals with something fresh and new. Why not make it a food that’s Club Fx-Approved?
