Ocean Spray Launches Better-For-You Frutas Frescas Juice Line at Walmart
Agricultural cooperative and juice maker Ocean Spray Cranberries debuted its new, three SKU Frutas Frescas juice line at Walmart stores nationwide this week and introduced a larger, 64 oz. format for its kid-focused Growing Goodness juice. Additionally, Ocean Spray extended its 100% Juice line for the first time since 2017 with the launch of two new flavors — Cranberry Elderberry and Cranberry Watermelon — now available at select retailers nationwide.
The Frutas Frescas line was launched to help further the company’s shift toward a better-for-you positioning as it moves to highlight low sugar and functional attributes across products in its portfolio, said Katrina Graves, Senior Brand Manager at Ocean Spray. According to Graves, the goal for this new line is to engage and support the interests of the millennial consumer.
“We are thrilled that Walmart accepted the full line of Frutas Frescas in broad distribution,” Graves said. “They are the first retailer to carry the line nationally, which ensures Frutas Frescas is accessible to a large portion of the country right out of the gate.”
The Frutas Frescas juices come in three flavors — Cranberry Pineapple Passion Fruit, Cranberry Lemon Raspberry and Cranberry Raspberry Pear — and contain 50 calories and up to 12 grams of sugar per serving. In addition to Walmart, Frutas Frescas are also available at Hannaford’s in the Northeast with both retailers offering the juice in a 64 oz. format, available for a suggested retail price of $2.98. Graves said the brand is also targeting club retailers where it will offer the line in 2-packs of 96 oz. bottles.
“We have acceptances from several additional large accounts, with even broader distribution in the grocery channel starting in January 2022 and in select club channel accounts starting December 2021,” Graves emphasized. “We will be supporting our launch with a 360 degree marketing campaign in the new year.”
As for the new format for the Growing Goodness line, Graves said that consumer demand showed that the product had appeal beyond its original positioning as a kids drink, due to the functional attributes and low sugar content.
“We launched in the 64 oz. after hearing feedback from parents that they kept sneaking their child’s Growing Goodness juice boxes for themselves,” Graves said. “They were searching for larger sizes the whole family could enjoy.”
The large format bottles of Growing Goodness are available at select Walmart and Target locations for a suggested retail price of $2.98. Graves also noted that in addition to its upcoming marketing campaign, the company also plans to utilize millennial-focused influencers to continue to drive trial for both the Frustas Frescas and Growing Goodness lines.
Boxed Water Now Available on Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines announced it has signed an agreement with Boxed Water Is Better to bring its plastic-free, 92% plant-based cartons onboard all of the airline’s flights, effective today. This partnership will remove about 2 million plastic bottles from Alaska flights every year.
“As a West Coast-based airline, we fly to some of the most beautiful places on earth,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Alaska Airlines in a press release. “Protecting these habitats is critical for our collective future, and reducing plastic waste is a key step. We’re proud to partner with Boxed Water on our most impactful plastic-reduction initiative yet, on a continued journey to minimize inflight waste.”
The airline began offering the sustainably-packaged water to its First Class customers and Horizon Air-operated flights earlier this year on a trial basis. During this preliminary launch the airline conducted a consumer survey that found flyers preferred Boxed Water over plastic bottled water “at a rate of two-to-one.”
“We are grateful to Alaska Airlines for leading the airline industry with bold steps toward plastic waste reduction,” noted Daryn Kuipers, CEO for Boxed Water in a press release. “Our ability to scale with Alaska from First Class to main cabin in just six months demonstrates both operational feasibility and the interest travelers have in more renewable inflight offerings.”