PORK pies and sausage rolls have been traditional lunch options since pastry was invented in the 17th century.
Specialist manufacturer Pork Farms has launched Ploughman’s Bites in convenience stores. It describes it as: “A bite-sized treat made with 100% British pork, filled with Branston pickle and coated in breadcrumbs.”
Andy Napthine, head of marketing said they provided lunchtime choice : “Chilled savoury pastry products such as the Ploughman’s Bites and Mini Pork Pies are popular for lunchtime occasions as shoppers begin to look for alternatives to sandwiches and crisps.
“These products can all be merchandised in the sandwich fixture to help provide an alternative to shoppers or an add-on for a more substantial lunch.
“We are seeing more shoppers buy pork pies and sausage rolls to keep in the fridge and then use them for lunchboxes through the week, as well as snacking on-the-go.”
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• Meat snack Peperami is said by brand owner Unilever to have benefitted from the popularity of packed lunches. The company revived its advertising character, Animal, this year to keep the brand in the public eye.
Alec Mellor, marketing manager for snacking said: “We’re now seeing adults eating hand-held meat snacks at 14% of lunchbox occasions (according to Kantar).
“With a 47% share of the total hand-held meat market, according to Nielsen, Peperami remains the number one brand in the category. Peperami Minis come in a 10-pack so are ideal for anyone seeking variety at lunchtime.”
NPD for this year includes Peperami Double Crunch Peanuts, made under a new licensing agreement with Humdinger Ltd, to expand the brand into a different snacks sub-category.
The company also reports an uplift in sales for spicy and hot variants, with Peperami Firestick grew volume sales by 21% in 12 months, according to Nielsen.
