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8 Healthy After School Snacks

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No matter if your kids are learning in school or from home as they start the new year, there is one thing we all know for certain: the joy of an after-school snack has not changed! Like you, we’re fans of this ritual because we know students are hungry after a day at school. We also know how an after-school snack can bring families together for at least a few moments of conversation to share about their day so far. In case you’re searching for new recipes to make after-school snacking more fun, delicious, and healthy, we dug into the archives to uncover eight recipes that definitely fit the bill. 

Peach Melba Ice Pops:

It’s still warm in most areas of the country, so a popsicle was a must for our after-school snack list! These popsicles from Women’s Day combine vanilla yogurt, almond extract, peaches, and raspberries together for a cool and healthy treat. 

Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites:

Bananas are a go-to healthy after-school snack on their own, and when you mix in the option to add chocolate and freeze them they seem like a must-have! These Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana Bites from The Kitchn are simple, and they sound delicious.

Guacamole for One:

Have you ever wondered how to make a single serving of guacamole? Brit + Co has the answer with this recipe! They even suggest serving it in half of an avocado to make your cleanup even more swift. Just add chips! 

Cheddar, Zucchini, and Scallion Muffins:

Sometimes carbs a must after-school, and this Cheddar, Zucchini, and Scallion Muffin recipe combines carbs together with savory flavors. These will be a hit as a snack, and we can also envision serving these at breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They will go fast! 

Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix:

If you’re looking for a new take on a classic snack recipe, take a look at this Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix from Averie Cooks. This snack mix will be ready in minutes because it doesn’t need to bake. Instead, prepare to combine popcorn, pretzels, nuts, ranch seasoning, and parmesan cheese together. We think this will be a frequent request after school!

Smoothie Bowls:

No matter the time of day, Smoothie Bowls are always a great idea! Take a look at this recipe from Women’s Day that pairs raspberries, bananas, yogurt, granola, and coconut together for a hearty and healthy post-school snack. Keep this recipe on hand for breakfast too! 

Pizza Toast:

Have you ever made pizza on toast? You can now give it a try thanks to this recipe from Delish! You will need toast (obviously!), pizza sauce, cheese, favorite toppings, and a touch of parsley. Once you prep your toast, place it in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese melts. Then, enjoy!

Celery Snails & Caterpillars:

You have likely had celery and peanut butter, but have you ever turned your celery into snails? With a how-to from Women’s Day located within this recipe, you and your kids can make the recipe and complete a craft at the same time. Make sure you have celery, cucumber, fruits, peanut butter and/or cream cheese on hand. Have fun! 

What’s your student’s favorite after-school snack? Chime in on Facebook!

3 CPG digital marketing trends changing how brands reach consumers

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3 CPG digital marketing trends changing how brands reach consumers

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The Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry has gone digital, allowing retailers to reach consumers early on in the buyer’s journey—sometimes before intent to purchase arises. Shoppers use mobile devices, computers, and other forms of technology as an integral part of their shopping trip, whether it’s to discover new items, plan their shopping trips, bargain hunt, or buy goods directly. 

Technology has made it easier and more convenient to shop, which is something brands can capitalize on when trying to reach new and existing consumers. As we’re halfway through 2020, this year’s prevailing trends indicate the lines between online and offline shopping have blurred. It’s not an “either/or” proposition, but rather a combination of the two. The brands that understand current trends and how to harmoniously integrate different channels will be the leaders.

Below, we’ll discuss CPG digital marketing trends like micro-influencers, ephemeral video, and third-party mobile shopping apps, along with some of the offline trends—like direct-to-consumer and same-day delivery—and how they intersect with the digital marketing landscape. No matter which combination of trends you implement as part of your marketing mix, the goal is to provide a seamless omni-channel experience that delivers the convenience, personalization, and quality customers have come to expect. 

Direct-to-Consumer Subscriptions

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) brands are products, services, and experiences designed, produced, marketed, and sold by the same company, bypassing the retail channel. More than 40% of brands sell DTC in some capacity. The industry is growing year-over-year, expected to reach $130 billion by 2025.

 

Consumers flock to DTC models for a myriad of reasons. Some customers prize convenience and cost savings, while others appreciate the personalization and discovery aspects. DTC offerings cut out the time and hassle of browsing through retail stores, and generally boast exceptional customer service. Many models incorporate “VIP” services and provide exclusive access to rewards.

The Direct-to-Consumer trend has reshaped customer expectations, thereby affecting how digital marketing is approached. 

  • Pay-Per-Result Marketing: Just as DTC strategies hinge upon quantifiable marketing, digital marketing relies upon securing a return on investment (ROI). The DTC method of performance marketing—paying only when a specific result is achieved—has inspired digital marketers to look at free trials, coupon codes, first-month discounts, and rewarded in-app content as ways of getting a shopper’s foot in the door.
  • Subscription Services: DTC’s focus is not on the short-term sale, but on delivering continuous value. Likewise, digital advertisers for CPG brands are considering how to create and encourage direct subscription services that generate long-term sales. Though the DTC model has struggled with scale and profitability, the wildfire success of Nike, Disney, and Kellogg’s forays into DTC has many CPG brands taking a deeper look at the model. 
  • Personalization: Lastly, shoppers delight in the personalization available with DTC brands. CPG brands would be wise to emphasize similar options on their websites and email correspondences. By using quizzes, custom gamified experiences, and augmented reality (AR), brands are able to tailor their offerings and messages directly to the individual.

Omni-Channel Experiences

Marketers used to fret that “retail is dead,” and that eCommerce would take over the world. We now know that’s simply not true. 

Although online sales increased another 17.9% from 2018 to 2019, shoppers still enjoy in-store experiences. They love to touch and feel items in person, get out of the house, talk to store associates, and experience the instant gratification of purchasing a product and having it immediately available for use. 

Nevertheless, blurring the line between in-store and digital retail is an increasingly important trend. Social commerce and digital ad spend are still being budgeted for, but CPG executives are also investing in new tools like Instagram Shopping posts, mobile apps, artificial intelligence (AI), and AR tech in physical store locations, as well as automated or mobile checkout to remain aligned with future trends. 

Specifically for digital strategies, an emphasis has been placed upon micro-influencers, ephemeral videos, and third-party mobile shopping apps to deliver experiences customers want at home and in-store.

Micro-Influencers

Years of high-profile scandals, frauds, and fakes has brought the macro-influencer industry to its knees. 

Only 4% of people trust what paid social media influencers say. A study by Stackla found that people are 9.8x more likely to make a purchase based on a social media friend’ recommendation, rather than a high-profile influencer. As it turns out, real people have real influence. 

There are a number of ways CPG brands are engaging micro-influencers. They’re monitoring hashtags, responding to mentions, and using new tools to find, engage, and reward organic advocates and unofficial ambassadors. Some strategies include: 

  • Running inspirational contests and giveaways. 
  • Giving out promotional items and goods like free swag.
  • Offering VIP experiences. 
  • Inviting members to join their communities. 

It may not be as simple as paying a celebrity with millions of followers for a promotion, but the micro-influencer pitch works wonders for increasing authenticity and trust. 

Ephemeral Videos

Content is diversifying in new ways. Long-lasting “evergreen” content used to be the standard, but now consumers have demonstrated a demand for short, fresh, relevant videos.

The word “ephemeral” is an eloquent way of saying “short-lived.” Think Instagram Stories, Snapchat, or TikTok videos, for instance. Engaging visual clips that appear today, but are gone tomorrow, create a sense of urgency and FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). 

With over 500 million active users in 2019, TikTok is a popular platform (particularly for Gen Z) that attracted CPG brands like Kind, Red Bull, Kool-Aid, Pepsi, and Lay’s.

CPG brands can use these platforms in a more casual, interactive way. They might offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the company, ask a live poll, countdown to an upcoming event, or create a contest.

Third-Party Mobile Apps

With 85% of customers using smartphones while shopping in-store, we can safely assume apps are now a staple element in the path to purchase.  

Third-party shopping apps are an easy, accessible, and affordable foray into this burgeoning market. Instead of developing a constant stream of app content, brands only need to create campaigns, which they can test, alter, and change as they please. 

Through Shopkick, clients’ campaigns have delivered noticeable ROI and increases in brand favorability thus far. 

For instance, when Claritin partnered with Shopkick, they achieved a 4:1 ROI on their campaign during the busy allergy season. By the end of the campaign, 28 million impressions were made, and 59% of consumers who went on to purchase the product originally had no plans to.

Same-Day Delivery and BOPIS 

Consumers’ desire for instant gratification is well-known, but now brands have the tools and technologies to facilitate this desire like never before. In a startling move, Amazon announced that their Prime two-day shipping guarantee would soon become a one-day shipping guarantee in 2019. This announcement made waves as retailers sought ways to compete.

Kohl’s, Best Buy, Macy’s, and Target went one step further and made same-day delivery available, while Apple and Walmart went on to offer next-day delivery. Many supermarkets used (and continue to use) Instacart to facilitate immediate order fulfillment or developed their own proprietary system. 

CPG brands should prioritize incorporating Instacart and Shipt into their delivery strategies. They must optimize their photos, product descriptions, titles, and specifications on these platforms with skimmable elements and relevant keywords in order to see peak search performance results. The same holds true when selling in the Amazon Marketplace. CPG brands should also consider implementing tailored promotions designed to move more units or cross-promote.  

Over the past year, we’ve seen a considerable rise in stores offering BOPIS (Buy Online Pick Up In Store). CPG brands have responded by finetuning their supply chains to keep products moving fluidly from the warehouse to the store. 

The coronavirus pandemic placed a high premium on quick delivery, particularly among cleaning supply brands, meat products, and other household staples. CPG brands adapted by reallocating resources from traditional media and other investments to digital eCommerce strategies like grocery delivery and in-store pickup.

It’s never been easier for brands to reach consumers directly than it is in 2020. Marketing mainstays like SEO content, pay-per-click (PPC) ad campaigns, mobile-friendly websites, and targeted social ads are still very much relevant, but some of these budgets are shifting toward the latest CPG digital marketing trends, tools, technologies, and partnerships mentioned above. CPG brands looking to improve their omni-channel experience can count on Shopkick to connect with audiences in a meaningful way, boosting short-term incremental sales as well as long-term loyalty.

Shopkick is a third-party shopping app that partners with CPG brands to deliver incremental sales, ROI, product awareness, and brand affinity. Users spend an average of two hours per month watching partner brand videos, flipping through curated lookbooks, locating products at-shelf, and purchasing campaign items in exchange for reward points (“kicks”). Read a few success stories or contact our team to learn how you can benefit from these new CPG digital marketing trends.

10 Summertime Peach Recipes

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One of the best parts of summer is definitely the fruit that is in season! As we celebrate August, we have a new fruit season to celebrate too: peach season! This sweet, sometimes tart, and always delicious summertime fruit is wonderful for both sweet and savory meals, desserts, and (of course!) drinks. We love the great variety offered by peaches.

We also love that many pick-your-own farms present you with the fun opportunity to pick your own bounty with your family. During a time when family outings (or outings in general!) feel a little more complicated as we try to keep our social distance, a visit to a farm to pick fruit combined with a recipe challenge offers a fun and memorable way to spend a day, night, or even a full weekend.

Keep reading below for 10 summer recipes you can make with peaches!

10 Summertime Peach Recipes:

Raspberry Peach Lemonade:

Lemonade is a classic summer drink, and Damn Delicious ups the fun with her take on Raspberry Peach Lemonade. Your kids will love this summery drink!

Easy Homemade Peach Jam:

We couldn’t share a post about fruit without finding a great recipe for jam. The reason why we’re intrigued by this Easy Homemade Peach Jam recipe is because Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom makes it without pectin (an ingredient that can sometimes make jam feel complicated to master).

Easy Baked Peaches:

We have talked about grilling peaches in the past, which you can definitely do. But, we also wanted to highlight a great recipe for baking them. I Heart Naptime shared this recipe for Easy Baked Peaches that also introduces cinnamon sugar topping. We definitely recommend following her lead and completing this sweet combo with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a wonderful summertime dessert.

Peach Wine Slushies:

To make your glass of wine more fun and summery, turn it into a slushie! Of course, it’s even more delectable when you add peaches. These Peach Wine Slushies from Dessert for Two take minutes to make.

Spicy Peach & Avocado Salad:

We’re fans of summertime salads, and this Spicy Peach & Avocado Salad from Country Living sounds like a great take! It combines peaches together with avocados and a Fresno Chile pepper for a great kick. If you don’t love spicy foods, we think the salad would be equally as tasty sans pepper.

One Skillet Peach Glazed Chicken:

Meals that can be made in a single pot, skillet, or pan are always up our alley. When we spotted this One Skillet Peach Glazed Chicken recipe from The Seasoned Mom we added it to our “to make” list right away! The prep time for this dinner dish is 5 minutes. Need we say more?

Peach Mango Coconut Oil Banana Bread:

Our passion for banana bread continues, and Averie Cooks shared a Peach, Mango, & Coconut Oil Banana Bread recipe that combines three amazing fruits together! The great news is this recipe includes coconut oil for a healthier option.

Turkey, Brie & Peach Panini:

A panini is a wonderful way to make lunch more fun, and Foxes Love Lemons created a Turkey, Brie & Peach Panini! It combines all of the flavors you would think, plus arugula, brie, and Dijon mustard.

Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa:

The summer is meant for salsa, and it’s always fun to create your own. Taste of Home shared a recipe for Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa that makes plenty of servings (11 cups!) after cooking for three hours. This would be excellent for a Mexican themed taco night!

Georgia Peach Homemade Ice Cream:

Rather than purchasing ice cream from the grocery store, why not try your hand at creating your own at home? This Georgia Peach Homemade Ice Cream recipe from All Recipes has over 400 positive reviews, and the results sound incredible.

We can’t wait to hear about the peach recipes you make! Fill us in on Facebook, and make sure to share any peach recipes you love that we have yet to discover.

How to Embrace Back to School Season

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Over the past few months, we’ve discovered a new appreciation for our schools and teachers, especially as we look ahead to back to school season. This time of year always feels like the holidays for many parents and students. While this year likely continues to look and feel different for many students and families, we still believe back to school can (and should!) be celebrated. No matter if you’re prepping to learn virtually from home or return back to the classroom, below are four tips for embracing back to school this year. 

Start Incorporating Learning: 

Depending on where you reside, you’re either days away from returning to school or you have another month filled with summer fun. Either way, one of the best ways to start getting into the school mindset is to ease it back into your everyday routine. Set aside time for your kids to read, switch to an educational game on a computer or iPad, dive into a math game, or complete a science experiment. By welcoming learning back now, students will feel more ready to fully embrace a school schedule in the days and weeks to come.

Create a Schedule: 

The summer is when we all relax our schedules and embrace a go-with-the-flow mindset, but schedules are key during the school year. Take a moment to revisit first grade teacher Mrs. Lamb’s tips from the spring. She and her kids discovered how they can best learn while at home. Mrs. Lamb said sometimes that involves incorporating more focused work during the morning followed by an increased emphasis on play in the afternoon. Start determining how you think your family’s ideal school day will look and feel now. Then give it a try in advance of your official start date.

Shop for School:

We know how much students love shopping for new school supplies, and this year should not be any different even if you’re planning to learn virtually from home. Purchase new folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, tech, and more just like you normally would. This nod to normalcy will feel comfortable, familiar, and exciting to your kids, and we think you will enjoy it too.

Also, consider shopping for back to school clothes! We’ve found it’s best to make a concerted effort to get dressed every day even if we’re working at home, and we think the same is true for kids. Think about shopping for new tops, pants, dresses, and shoes from their favorite stores, like Carter’s, OshKosh B’gosh, GAP, Kohls, Dicks Sporting Goods, and more through your Shopkick app as you embrace the fall season together. You’ll earn kicks, and your kids will keep up with their fun school year style. 

Embrace the School Season:

Just as you did during the spring, now is the time to embrace the school season whether it involves learning from home or returning back to the classroom. The more you and your student lean into learning, the more fun and normal it will become. Many of us are facing the same challenges, so keep this in mind: We’re all learning together, Shopkickers!

How are you and your kids embracing back to school this year? We would love to hear your thoughts on Facebook! 

P.S: For more on our “How to Homeschool” series with Mrs. Lamb, click here!