Introducing New Products to the Marketplace
CHALLENGE
Miski Organics is a dry goods importing company based out of Burlington Ontario who wanted to branch out into offering products utilizing their health-conscious dried/ powdered superfoods imported from Peru. They had created some baked goods and dry mixes for trade shows and other events with great reception from the public and wanted to continue with product portfolio additions. The company’s products are organic certified, non-GMO, kosher and gluten-free. Miski wanted formulations for several products that they could mix onsite and sell as their own branded ready-mixes. The constraints this project faced included the size of the facility and the necessity to create desirable products under the current certifications.
SOLUTION
The Business & Commercialization Solutions research team provided a competitive analysis to find market gaps and opportunities that utilized Miski Organics unique product lines. Recommendations on branding and promotional strategies were also provided to aid Miski Organics in being competitive in the consumer goods marketplace. This was complemented by work from the Canadian Food & Wine Institute (CFWI) Innovation Centre research team who provided a preliminary risk assessment, product development, sensory evaluation, processing and regulatory advice. This resulted in more than 10 different prototypes of which Miski chose six final formulations, including a cookie mix, smoothie booster, pancake mix, yacon cereal and two natural butters. These new ready mixes will easily integrate into the consumer market by targeting health conscious and gluten intolerant consumers, and will provide a competitive edge when compared to existing brands on the market.
Funding: the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) through its College Voucher for Technology Adoption (CVTA).
Update as of June 12, 2020:
With the help of the R&D team at the CFWI Innovation Centre, Miski Organics has successfully introduced the two natural peanut-free butters into the market: Organic Sacha Inchi Butter and Organic Sacha Inchi Choco Butter. These two unique products were officially launched in May 2020 with great acceptance. In addition, the vegan, gluten-free pancake mix will be launched in June, while the cookie mix, yacon cereal and smoothie booster are expected to be introduced soon.
