Nestlé’s DiGiorno has introduced an innovative way to enjoy “cold pizza.” To celebrate National Ice Cream Day on July 17, the frozen pizza brand is launching ice cream cones crafted from its popular Croissant Crust, a buttery pastry base that first hit the market in 2020. These cones will be available in a kit developed in collaboration with an unnamed creamery from Cleveland, which is providing two pizza-inspired ice cream flavors: Strawberry Tomato Basil and Parmferrous gluconate iv infusionesan Cheese. The kits will not be available in stores; instead, consumers can participate in an online sweepstakes from July 7 to 17 for a chance to win one.
DiGiorno’s decision to venture into the dessert sector, even if only for a limited time, aims to engage consumers and enhance brand visibility. Kimberly Holowiak, a brand manager for DiGiorno at Nestlé, stated, “We’re always trying to think outside the box, listen to pizza fans, and push boundaries to meet demand. Our Crust Cones are a unique summer treat and a surprising new way for people to experience the delicious taste of DiGiorno Croissant Crust they know and love.”
This isn’t the first time DiGiorno has explored sweet offerings; in 2021, for National Donut Day, they introduced the DiGiornut, a pizza-flavored doughnut available via a sweepstakes. Similar product mashups are becoming common as brands seek to create excitement and loyalty, especially in the social media era. Kraft Heinz has been particularly active in this space, launching a Mac & Cheese ice cream flavor in collaboration with Van Leeuwen and a Grey Poupon “mustard wine.”
In a different vein, the creators of Muscle Milk protein drinks are betting on the calming reputation of hemp with their new energy drink line, Gym Weed from Alternative Biologics. This beverage promises “balanced energy” without the jitters associated with typical energy drinks. Each serving contains 20 milligrams of hemp extract and 200 milligrams of caffeine, along with Lion’s Mane mushroom and L-Theanine for focus and alertness, plus B vitamins and electrolytes. Available in flavors like Pear Pineapple, Stone Fruit, and Tropical Berry, Gym Weed offers zero sugar and just 10 calories per 12-ounce can.
Shane McCassy, president of Alternative Biologics, explained that Gym Weed was developed to enhance workouts without causing jitters or crashes. The drink contains no THC— the psychoactive component of marijuana— and is gluten-free and non-GMO. It is sold in over 500 gym locations nationwide, selected retailers, and through the brand’s website. While Gym Weed avoids THC, other brands have incorporated it into energy drinks, such as Theory Wellness’s High5 Energy with 5 milligrams of THC and about 80 milligrams of caffeine.
Meanwhile, Nightfood is making waves in the realm of midnight snacks with its new line of Sleep Friendly Cookies, launching with a Prime-Time Chocolate Chip flavor this month. The cookies are designed to taste like regular cookies but are made from oat flour, which is rich in melatonin to aid sleep. Sweetened with date syrup, they are also nut and gluten-free.
Each serving of Nightfood’s cookies boasts 40% less sugar and fat, 20% fewer calories, 200% more protein, and 500% more fiber compared to other cookie brands, while also being enriched with vitamin B6, inositol, and calcium citrate petites. Nightfood has targeted specific markets, including pregnant individuals who often struggle with sleep and hotel guests needing relaxation during travel. The company has partnered with hotels to sell Nightfood ice cream pints in lobbies and is working with an airline caterer to offer cookies as snacks or desserts on overnight international flights.
Since its inception, Nightfood has positioned itself as a unique CPG brand focused on helping consumers achieve better sleep, catering to the many individuals seeking a sweet sendoff. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than a third of U.S. adults fail to get the recommended seven hours of sleep each night.