Food and Beverage
This Father’s Day, Laffy Taffy® Celebrates Launch of New Fruit Combos
Asking Fans “What Combo of Iconic ‘Dad Things’ Makes Dad Special?”
The fruity, chewy candy brand – known for ‘dad jokes’ on every wrapper – invites families nationwide to share the most unique combo of traits about their father figure in exchange for free* Laffy Taffy Fruit Combos
CHICAGO /PRNewswire/ — Whether it’s mowing the lawn before sunrise or “just resting their eyes” in the recliner, we all know and love the uniquely endearing things dads do. This Father’s Day, Laffy Taffy® is sending free packages of their newest candy, Fruit Combos, to 1,000 fans willing to share how #DadThings combined make their father figure special.
On June 18 (AKA, Father’s Day), starting at 1 p.m. EDT (while supplies last*) families can visit laffytaffycombos.com to get their hands on Fruit Combos, Laffy Taffy’s latest innovation which combines two fruity flavors in one smooth and chewy mini-bar.
Here’s How it Works:
- Identify “Dad Things”: Discuss amongst your family and identify your two favorite “dad things” that make the dad, or father figure, in your life extraordinary.
- Submit: Be one of the first 1,000 families to submit your top combo of “dad things” and dad will receive a free package of the new Laffy Taffy Fruit Combos to enjoy together.
- Grand Prize: Every participant will be automatically entered for a chance to win a grand prize – the ultimate “dad things starter pack” which includes a year-supply of Fruit Combos and classic Laffy Taffy dad mementos such as a lawn chair, golf towel, duffel bag and socks*.
“Laffy Taffy has been known as the champion of dad jokes for decades, so it is only natural we launch our delicious Fruit Combos in a way that honors this legacy,” said Dave Foldes, Director of Marketing at Laffy Taffy. “Dad things often spark moments of connection and laughter, just like our new mini bars which provide a smooth and chewy treat wrapped in a joke worth sharing. We’re so excited to help families come together this Father’s Day over a delicious combo we know they will love as much as dad’s classic socks and sandals mashup.”
Laffy Taffy Fruit Combos feature a variety of four new flavor combos that tantalize the taste buds: Strawberry-Kiwi, Strawberry-Orange, Mango-Passionfruit and Wildberry-Banana. Fruit Combos are available now in convenience, value/dollar, grocery and mass-retail stores nationwide in two sizes: 3.5 oz. (SRP $1.25) and 6 oz. (SRP $3.60) bags.
To find a retailer near you and get more Laffy Taffy jokes in time for Father’s Day, visit www.laffytaffy.com and follow @LaffyTaffy on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
Thanks for always monitoring the thermostat, dads. Happy Father’s Day!
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Promotion runs 6/18/23 at 1:00 PM ET to 6/20/23 at 11:59 PM ET, or when all Promotion Prizes have been awarded, whichever comes first. Open to legal residents of 50 US/DC who are 18+ or age of majority in state of residence, whichever older, as of entry. To enter, visit laffytaffycombos.com & complete entry form. 1,000 First Prizes consisting of two (2) 6 oz. peg bags of Laffy Taffy Fruit Combos candy. ARV of each First Prize: $7.20. 1 Grand Prize consisting of fifty two (52) 6 oz. peg bags of Laffy Taffy Fruit Combos candy and a “dad things starter pack” comprised of classic Laffy Taffy dad mementos including items such as a lawn chair, golf towel, duffel bag and socks (actual items may vary and are subject to change). ARV of the Grand Prize: $1,200. Odds depend on # of elig. entries. Rules at laffytaffycombos.com/#rules. Sponsor: Ferrara Candy Co., 404 W Harrison St., #650, Chicago, IL 60607.
About Laffy Taffy:
Since 1971, Laffy Taffy® has been bringing little bites of delight and sweet laughter to small but lasting moments of connection for families and children of all ages. All wrapped up with a joke worth sharing, Laffy Taffy’s portfolio of long-lasting, smooth fruit chews include their classic mini-bars, new Fruit Combo mini-bars, Stretchy and Tangy bars, Laffy Taffy Ropes and LAFF BITES® in classic assorted bags, TROPICAL and “GONE BANANAS!™” varieties. Laffy Taffy candy is available in fan favorite fruit flavors including Cherry, Strawberry, Grape, Watermelon, Sour Apple, Banana and Blue Raspberry.
About Ferrara®
For more than 115 years, Ferrara has created sugar confections that share delight in every bite to candy lovers of all generations. Today, the company is the #1 sugar confectioner in the United States. Ferrara boasts a passionate team of more than 4,600 employees working together to create and deliver hundreds of products sold under a portfolio of more than 20 popular brands such as Brach’s®, NERDS®, SweeTARTS®, Laffy Taffy®, and Trolli® to more than 66 million U.S. households annually. Ferrara’s success in industry-leading innovation has been driven by deep consumer insights, strong retailer co-creation and partnerships, and a dedication to diversity of thought, experience, and people. A privately held company, Ferrara has its global headquarters in Chicago and an operational network of more than 13 locations in North America that includes manufacturing, distribution, sales, and R&D facilities. The company has a close relationship with the Ferrero Group as a related company which provides industry partnership and collaboration opportunities. Learn more at www.ferrarausa.com or www.linkedin.com/company/ferrara-.
SOURCE Laffy Taffy
(Feature Impact) A healthy brain goes beyond reading exercises and completing puzzles – it extends to the kitchen, too. Emerging nutritional science is clear that what people eat doesn’t just fuel the body; it shapes memory, mood and cognitive health.
Among the foods you can include in your diet to give your brain a boost are peanuts and peanut butter, staples valued not only for their convenience but also for their cognitive benefits. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter.
It’s not just the older generation that can benefit. According to research published in “Clinical Nutrition,” a study of college students ages 18-33 showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.
Consider this key information from the Georgia Peanut Commission before your next meal planning session.
Nutrients that Give the Brain a Boost
Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:
- Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
- Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
- Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
- P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety
Peace of MIND
Peanuts are included in the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which specifically includes foods shown to benefit the brain.
Adding peanuts to your menu can be a breeze. Look no further than a powerful main course like Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad, a perfect accompaniment at potlucks and cookouts as an easy side or light main course. Make breakfast-on-the-go part of your daily commute with Flourless Blueberry Muffins that require just five ingredients, including creamy peanut butter, or add a pinch of protein to snack time with Protein Balls that can be refrigerated until hunger strikes.
Brain Food for Thought
Supporting your brain starts with the right nutrition, and evidence makes clear peanuts and peanut butter should be top-of-mind as you head to the grocery store. For help getting started, find more recipes and nutritional information by visiting GAPeanuts.com.
Flourless Blueberry Muffins
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 12
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup blueberries
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan.
- In blender or food processor, combine bananas, peanut butter, eggs and baking powder; blend until smooth. Fold in blueberries by hand.
- Pour mixture into muffin tin. Bake 12-15 minutes.
- Store in airtight container up to 3 days.
Nutritional information per serving: 155 calories, 10 g carbohydrates, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein, 98 mg sodium, 5 g sugar.
Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 8
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Salad:
- 1 package (20 ounces) green peas, frozen
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup red onions, chopped
- 1 cup dry roasted peanuts
- 6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 pinch salt, or to taste
- 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- To make dressing: In small mixing bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar.
- To make salad: In large mixing bowl, combine frozen green peas, celery and onion. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Before serving, stir in roasted peanuts and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories, 17 g carbohydrates, 12 mg cholesterol, 3 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 5 g fiber, 11 g protein, 249 mg sodium, 6 g sugar, 1 g added sugar.
Protein Balls
Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24
- 1 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups quick oats
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
- 1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
- 1/4 cup water
- Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
- Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.
Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium.
SOURCE:
STM Daily News’ Food and Drink section highlights the stories, trends, flavors, and events shaping today’s food culture. From recipes to restaurant news, it keeps readers connected to what’s fresh and worth tasting.
Cool Down This Summer with a Sweet Slushie
(Family Features) Each season throughout the year seems to
have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off
the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on
warm evenings.
While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the
holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round –
including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find,
they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting
nutrition content.
Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and
elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be
cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or
slow cooked.
Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a
creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but
sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping – smoothies and cocktails are both
crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat
can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick
back in the sunshine.
To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all
summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xyuKDlklQ?si=JiKNgtk78Vc8NiMU&controls=0]
Recipe courtesy of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
- 1 cup cooked,
mashed North
Carolina Sweetpotatoes - 1 cup
pineapple juice - 1/2 cup orange
juice - 1/4 cup lemon
juice - 1/4 cup coconut
milk - 2-3 tablespoons
simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste) - 1 teaspoon
vanilla extract - 2 cups crushed
ice - 2 ounces
spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional) - pineapple
slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)
- In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange
juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and
ice until smooth and slushy. - Pour into glasses and serve.
- For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or
bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered
effect. - Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.
SOURCE:
Food and Beverage
McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie Returns June 23—A Limited-Time Summer Throwback
McDonald’s is bringing back its OG Fried Apple Pie starting June 23 for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide—plus a 35-foot pie photo stop on Route 66 near Chicago.
Summer tends to fly by, but certain bites slow time down. McDonald’s is betting its Fried Apple Pie is one of them.
According to a new announcement from McDonald’s USA, the OG Fried Apple Pie returns to participating restaurants nationwide starting June 23 for a limited time. The classic dessert is described as featuring a signature filling made with 100% American-grown apples, wrapped in the same golden, crunchy, flaky fried crust longtime fans remember.
Why the Fried Apple Pie comeback matters
McDonald’s is framing the return as a nostalgia play with a patriotic twist, tying the seasonal rollout to the lead-up to America’s 250th birthday. If you grew up hearing people talk about “the fried pies,” this is the moment they mean: hot, sweet, and unmistakably old-school.
And if you’ve never tried it? McDonald’s is positioning June 23 as your entry point—an “if you know, you know” menu item that’s meant to feel like a summer memory in dessert form.
A classic that started as a family recipe
The company also shared a bit of origin story: the Fried Apple Pie traces back to the 1960s, when East Tennessee McDonald’s Owner/Operator Litton Cochran created a fried apple hand pie that became a local favorite. Over time, it made its way into McDonald’s history.
Eric Cochran, a McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said the pie is one of those foods that “take you back,” and credited his grandparents—Litton and Jo Cochran—with helping shape the recipe when McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc was looking for a dessert that would resonate with customers.
The 35-foot Fried Apple Pie (yes, really)
To make the return feel like a road-trip moment, McDonald’s is also unveiling a giant roadside installation: The McDonald’s Largest Fried Apple Pie, a 35-foot version of the dessert placed along Route 66—built to be a photo stop.
Fans can snap a selfie and pick up a McDonald’s souvenir map at:
- 920 N Broadway St., Joliet, IL 60435 (just outside Chicago)
If you’re near Chicagoland, here are the dates
- Kickoff event (June 23): 3:30–6:00 p.m. CT, with live music, an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and complimentary Arch Cards
- June 23–July 4: The installation remains up through the holiday stretch
How to get it
McDonald’s says the Fried Apple Pie will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide, and can also be ordered via the McDonald’s App, while supplies last.If your summer plans include a long drive, a late-night snack run, or just chasing a little nostalgia, June 23 might be the date to circle. Some menu items are built for convenience—this one is built for the detour.
Related
Source
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