Natural jerky processor, Country Archer Jerky Co., is targeting what it refers to as the clean meat stick category a new line of meat snacks. The company is introducing the new line at Natural Products Expo West, which is held March 5-9. According to the company, the clean meat stick category is in its infancy and Country Archer already ranks as the fastest-growing stick brand and grew at a rate of 375 percent last year, while the category as a whole is growing by 22.2 percent in the past 52 weeks according to SPINS, a consumer insights provider for the natural products industry.
Country Archer unveiled four meat stick flavors at the expo, including: Chorizo Beef, Maple Bacon Pork, Pineapple Pork, and Hatch Turkey.
Country Archer’s meat sticks are made using lean, grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free turkey or pork, and they are free of nitrites, MSG, gluten, antibiotics and added hormones. They contain minimal sugar due to the integration of dates in the formula to appeal to health-conscious consumers, as well as those seeking keto-friendly and paleo-friendly snacks.
The new flavors include:
• Chorizo Beef – a keto-conscious delight with 0g of sugar, this protein-packed meat stick is a fiesta in your mouth with the perfect balance of spices and warm heat.
• Hatch Turkey – the legendary green chiles cultivated in New Mexico for generations meets antibiotic-free turkey for a spicy kick in this Southwest-inspired meat stick.
• Maple Bacon Pork – this perfect mix of sweet, smoky and savory, featuring uncured bacon and real maple, is the next best thing to sizzling warm bacon at breakfast.
• Pineapple Pork – bursting with flavor reminiscent of a tropical luau, hints of real pineapple hula with delectable antibiotic-free pork for a savory and not-too-sweet on-the-go treat.
“We’ve long-maintained our position as the No. 1 and still fastest growing jerky brand in the natural channel, and we’re now seeing a parallel in terms of early growth trajectory with clean meat sticks that we did with jerky several years ago,” said co-founder and CEO of Country Archer, Eugene Kang. “This macro category has long been dominated by legacy brands using highly unfavorable ingredients that no one wants to eat – like mechanically separated chicken as the first ingredient. There are literally millions of consumers looking for something better – whether watching carbs or sugar, eating keto, Whole30, paleo, or they just want a savory, high-protein snack – clean meat sticks are where it’s at. The consumer response to our initial meat stick SKUs has been phenomenal, and we’re already projecting a 246 percent compound annual growth rate on those items alone. The category is still young, but we’re doubling down on it with the launch of our new flavors and are confident they’ll give conscious shoppers even more reasons to come back to the category.”
Starting in late summer 2019, the new meat stick products will be available at retail outlets throughout North America at a at suggested price of $1.99 each. Country Archer meat snacks are available at conventional, natural, mass, and convenience stores nationwide, including Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Smart & Final, Love’s Travel Centers, Speedway, WaWa, Pilot Flying J and Travel Centers of America.
