San Bernardino, Calif. – Country Archer Jerky Co., the fastest growing and #1 jerky brand in the natural channel, is targeting a rising macro category in the meat snack aisle with the introduction of a new line of beef, pork and turkey meat sticks at Natural Products Expo West. Unlike craft jerky, the clean meat stick category is in its infancy and ripe for explosive growth. Having entered the sub-category less than two years ago, Country Archer is already the fastest growing stick brand in the top ten of the category and is growing at a rate of 375 percent, while the category as a whole is growing by 22.2 percent in the past 52 weeks according to SPINS.*
To further propel growth of this next frontier in meat snacks, Country Archer will unveil four unique-to-the-category meat stick flavors, including: Chorizo Beef, Maple Bacon Pork, Pineapple Pork, and Hatch Turkey. Expo West attendees will be the first to taste the mouthwatering new flavors and are invited to visit booth #N2039 in the North Hall for an exclusive sneak peek at the new meat sticks. Country Archer will also be showcasing its entire line of meat snacks at booth #5676 in exhibition hall E.
“We’ve long-maintained our position as the #1 and still fastest growing jerky brand in the natural channel, and we’re now seeing a parallel in terms of early growth trajectory with clean meat sticks that we did with jerky several years ago,” said co-founder and CEO of Country Archer, Eugene Kang. “This macro category has long been dominated by legacy brands using highly unfavorable ingredients that no one wants to eat – like mechanically separated chicken as the first ingredient. There are literally millions of consumers looking for something better – whether watching carbs or sugar, eating keto, Whole30, paleo, or they just want a savory, high-protein snack – clean meat sticks are where it’s at. The consumer response to our initial meat stick SKUs has been phenomenal, and we’re already projecting a 246 percent compound annual growth rate on those items alone. The category is still young, but we’re doubling down on it with the launch of our new flavors and are confident they’ll give conscious shoppers even more reasons to come back to the category.”
Like all Country Archer meat snacks, the new meat sticks are crafted with gourmet cuts of extra-lean, USDA-inspected 100 percent grass-fed beef, tender antibiotic-free turkey or pork, and are free of nitrites, MSG, gluten, antibiotics and added hormones. Featuring clean protein, and little to zero grams of sugar – thanks to the integration of naturally sweet dates – the new meat sticks are perfect for carb and sugar conscious consumers, as well as those seeking keto-friendly and paleo-friendly snacks. Flavor details include:
• Chorizo Beef – a keto-conscious delight with 0g of sugar, this protein-packed meat stick is a fiesta in your mouth with the perfect balance of spices and warm heat.
• Hatch Turkey – the legendary green chiles cultivated in New Mexico for generations meets antibiotic-free turkey for a spicy kick in this Southwest-inspired meat stick.
• Maple Bacon Pork – this perfect mix of sweet, smoky and savory, featuring uncured bacon and real maple, is the next best thing to sizzling warm bacon at breakfast.
• Pineapple Pork – bursting with flavor reminiscent of a tropical luau, hints of real pineapple hula with delectable antibiotic-free pork for a savory and not-too-sweet on-the-go treat.
The new meat stick flavors will be available across North America in late Summer 2019 at an SRP of $1.99. Country Archer meat snacks are available at conventional, natural, mass, and convenience stores nationwide, including Starbucks, Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Smart & Final, Love’s Travel Centers, Speedway, WaWa, Pilot Flying J and Travel Centers of America. For product and sales inquiries, please contact info@countryarcher.com. To learn more about Country Archer, please visitwww.countryarcher.com or follow the brand on Instagram (@CountryArcher) and Facebook (@CountryArcher).
*52-week SPINS data ending January 27, 2019.
About Country Archer Jerky Co.
Country Archer Jerky Co. is a leading producer of delicious gourmet jerky, meat sticks and meat bars. The fastest growing jerky brand in the natural and specialty channels, Country Archer crafts all its meat snacks with high-quality, premium and clean ingredients. Made for outdoor adventurers, busy parents, athletes, and all of the everyday doers who want more from their food, Country Archer pushes the envelope with innovative and mouthwatering flavors, and responsibly-sourced and organic local ingredients. A great source of protein, each meat snack is crafted with gourmet cuts of extra-lean, USDA-inspected 100 percent grass-fed beef, tender antibiotic-free turkey and pork. All Country Archer products are free of nitrites, MSG, gluten, antibiotics and added hormones. Country Archer meat snacks are available nationwide at fine retailers including Whole Foods Market, The Fresh Market, Kroger, Starbucks, Sprouts, Target, National Co+op Grocers, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Costco, Wegmans and more. To learn more about Country Archer, visit www.countryarcher.com, ‘like’ us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram or Twitter.
