Mars Bar Slice is now a supermarket snack, which means the no-bake classic has officially entered its grab-and-go era. Mars Snacking has launched Mars Bar Slice with Rice Crispies in Australia, turning the homemade favourite into a ready-to-eat bar made with soft nougat, creamy caramel, rice crispies and milk chocolate. The nostalgia is hardly subtle with this one. New research commissioned by Mars Snacking found nearly three-quarters of Australians, 74 per cent, agree Mars Bar Slice feels like an iconic Australian treat, while 58 per cent say it reminds them of their childhood and 57 per cent have fond memories of eating or making it growing up. “Mars Bar Slice holds a special place in Australian culture, with many growing up making, sharing and enjoying it with family and friends,” said Mars Snacking Australia Bars Portfolio Marketing Director Bianca Werkmeister. “So we were thrilled that our Ballarat factory could reimagine this iconic treat into a delicious and convenient new bar format within the Mars range.” The launch also lands in the middle of what Mars is calling a growing reward culture, where Australians are giving themselves more reasons to celebrate the small stuff. More than four-in-five Australians, 83 per cent, believe completing everyday tasks deserves a reward. And the definition of “achievement” is, thankfully, getting much more realistic. Getting through a busy workday, finishing a workout, tackling household chores, sorting dinner or surviving an overflowing inbox are all on the list. Exercise and self-care, 38 per cent, and work-related tasks, 38 per cent, topped the everyday tasks Australians believe deserve a reward, followed by household routines, 33 per cent, meal preparation, 31 per cent, and running errands, 30 per cent. Sweet treats are also the reward of choice. More than two-in-five Australians, 42 per cent, say a sweet treat is their go-to after completing small tasks, ahead of making time to relax, 37 per cent, watching the TV show they’ve been saving, 30 per cent, and buying something small for themselves, 22 per cent. “When Australians are increasingly embracing the idea that everyday achievements deserve a little recognition, we know a sweet treat remains the reward of choice for many, and Mars Bar Slice delivers the perfect combination of nostalgia and indulgence for those moments,” said Werkmeister. For anyone who grew up with Mars Bar Slice as the thing that somehow always disappeared from the container first, the new bar keeps the familiar chewy-crunchy idea but removes the melting, mixing and fridge-setting part. Mars Bar Slice with Rice Crispies is made at Mars’ Ballarat factory and is available nationally now in medium, king and share pack formats, with RRPs starting from AUD $3.00 for 45g. Basically, Mars Bar Slice has gone from something made in a tray at home to something that can be picked up when the inbox, the errands or the general chaos of the day deserves a little reward. Source: Weber Shandwick Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Coles has launched its first Community Food Relief Appeal with SecondBite and Foodbank, as new research points to millions of Australians hitting food hardship for the first time. From August 5 to September 1, customers will be able to donate at any Coles checkout nationally, with funds going to SecondBite and Foodbank Australia. The money raised will help provide food through thousands of frontline organisations across the country, including charities that cook meals, pack hampers and stock community pantries. How the appeal works The new appeal builds on Coles’ existing food rescue program, which has donated the equivalent of 377 million meals to Australians who need support. Alongside customer donations, 11 participating suppliers will also donate 20 cents for each eligible product sold at participating Coles stores and online from August 5 to September 1, subject to any applicable donation caps. The hidden side of food hardship The appeal comes as national research commissioned by Coles, SecondBite and Foodbank estimates 3.6 million Australians have experienced food hardship for the first time in the past six months. It also shows many people are still hesitant to ask for help, even when they need it. Nearly half of Australians, 48 per cent, say they would not access food relief because they believe someone else needs it more, while one in three, 32 per cent, say they would be too embarrassed to ask. The pressure is being felt across household bills too. According to the research, electricity and gas bills, 40 per cent, rising fuel and transport costs, 37 per cent, and rent or mortgage increases, 24 per cent, are among the biggest pressures affecting how much households can spend on food. The appeal comes as food relief charities are seeing demand move beyond the households people might traditionally expect. “Local charities are seeing demand reach working families, double-income households and people who may never have needed support before,” said SecondBite Chief Executive Officer Daniel Moorfield. “With three in ten Australians saying they would consider accessing food relief in the next six months, that demand is expected to grow. Every donation will help get more food to community organisations supporting people locally, so fewer dinner tables are left without a meal.” For Foodbank Australia Chief Executive Kylea Tink, the research also points to the shame and hesitation that can stop people from asking for help. “What’s most concerning is not only the scale of need, but how many Australians are trying to manage food hardship quietly and alone,” she said. “No Australian should feel they have to wait until they’re in crisis before asking for support and this Appeal will help strengthen the ability of charities to provide immediate relief.” Coles Chief Executive Officer Leah Weckert said, “Every day, our team members set aside unsold, edible food for SecondBite and Foodbank so it can reach local charities and communities where it is needed most. “Through these longstanding partnerships, Coles has helped provide the equivalent of 377 million meals. This Appeal builds on that contribution and gives customers and suppliers another way to help put more meals on Australian tables.” The appeal runs nationally at Coles checkouts from August 5 to September 1. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

ReFil has launched in Australia with a new line of protein bars aimed at making everyday snacking a little more functional. The new brand is entering the market with two low-sugar ranges, Cold Pressed and Crunch, covering flavours that nod to brownies, pistachio nougat, berries and cream, chocolate milkshakes, caramel slice and lemon raspberry soda. Rather than pitching protein as something reserved for athletes or post-workout routines, ReFil is positioning the bars for regular snack moments: bags, desk drawers, school pick-up drives and the 3 pm craving window. Julia Clark, Sales & Marketing Director of ReFil, said the brand wanted to challenge assumptions around how protein bars should taste. “The idea behind ReFil was to challenge the assumption that protein bars need to taste like a functional food,” said Clark. “We wanted to take the nutrition consumers are looking for and deliver it through craveable flavours, enjoyable textures and familiar dessert-inspired experiences. We chose high quality ingredients and product formats that allowed us to do that, and this meant investing in new technology within our business.” The Cold Pressed range has a nougat-style texture and comes in three flavours: Choc Full of Brownie, Ooh Ahh Pistachio Nougat and Very Into Berries & Cream. Each bar contains 20g of protein, 17g of fibre, less than 3g of sugar and less than 200 calories. ReFil Crunch takes the more textured route, with flavours including Chocolate Milkshake, Choc Caramel Slice and Lemon Raspberry Soda Pop. Each bar contains 15g of protein, 11g of fibre, 2g of sugar and 180 calories or less. Clark said protein was no longer only relevant to athletes or people consuming products immediately after a workout. “More and more Australian consumers are looking to incorporate protein into everyday moments, and this is driving strong demand in the market,” said Clark. “ReFil is helping these consumers by making protein more accessible by offering the nutritional benefits they are looking for, whilst being an enjoyable experience.” The launch speaks to how protein bars are being used now: less as a specialist gym product, more as an easy snack for people trying to get more protein into regular eating occasions. ReFil is available now via the ReFil website and Amazon. Source: Sunday Agency Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Quick Bite Allen’s Green Frogs are back from the lolly graveyard hand in hand with a few long-lost friends. The fan-requested lolly is hopping back onto supermarket shelves for a limited time, joined by fellow nostalgia hits Black Cats, Mad About Teeth, Spearmint Leaves and Bananas. The return follows years of fans asking Allen’s to bring Green Frogs back, giving one of Australia’s most missed supermarket lollies another run. Nestlé Head of Marketing Confectionery Shannon Wright said Allen’s fans had been vocal about wanting nostalgic lollies back. “When it comes to nostalgic lollies, Allen’s fans are passionate for their return,” she said. “At Allen’s, we love creating new treats, but occasionally it’s fun to dip back into the lolly archives to bring back some fan favourites. “These come-back lollies are all about giving fans a chance to reconnect with nostalgic treats and sweet memories. Some lollies are simply too iconic to stay in retirement!” Green Frogs, Black Cats, Mad About Teeth and Spearmint Leaves will be available at Woolworths nationwide for a limited time, while Allen’s Bananas will be available exclusively at Coles in a 300g value pack. The comeback range is designed to tap into the kind of lolly nostalgia that makes people remember party bags, corner shops and the very specific childhood joy of picking favourites from a mixed bag. For Allen’s fans, the window to stock up is limited. The returning classics will only be available while eager lolly lovers snap them up. Source: Omnicom Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.