Smartfood

Smartfood Popcorn is a white cheddar cheese-flavored popcorn offered by the Frito-Lay company.

History

Infobox nutrition facts
serv_size_us = 1¾ cups
serv_size_met = 28g
#_servings = About 13
calories = 160
cal_from_fat = 90
total_fat_g = 10
sat_fat_g = 2
trans_fat_g = 0
cholesterol_mg = 5
sodium_mg = 290
potassium_mg = 0
carb_g = 14
fiber_g = 2
sugars_g = 2
protein_g = 3
vit_a = 0
vit_c = 0
calcium = 6
iron = 2 Smartfood, first created in 1985 by Andrew Martin, Ken Meyers, Martin's wife Ann Withey, and Bobby Osadetz, was intended to fill recloseable packages that Martin and his business partner, Ken Meyers, were trying to market. Meyers was quoted in the New York Times as saying that " [t] he popcorn turned out better than the package." Smartfood was first marketed under the registered brand name in 1985, and was manufactured in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

According to Meyers: "Unlike the cheese popcorn already on the market, ours was made with real cheese and it didn't glow in the dark. We wanted quality and we were up against the negative consumer image, because prepopped popcorn in a bag was considered garbage, not worth the money because it's not fresh and you can make it better and cheaper at home."

In January 1989, the company was sold to Texas-based Frito-Lay for an undisclosed amount, but reportedly the amount was 14.5 million dollars. According to trademark filings in 2004, the company intends to expand the brand to cover a broad line of snacks made with potato, soy, nuts, puffed cheese, and a variety of grains (wheat, oats, rice, corn). However, this brand expansion is being opposed by Kellogg Company, makers of Smart Start breakfast cereals.

Ann Withey and Martin later formed Annie's Homegrown, which markets macaroni and cheese, pasta, and other organic products.

External links

* [http://www.frito-lay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/products_smartfood.htm Frito-Lay Smartfood]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C0CE4DB1E3BF93BA15750C0A966958260 The Din of Popcorn Fills the Land] , in the New York Times
* [http://www.annies.com/annies/history.htm History of Annie's Homegrown]
* [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78454783 Filings for expanded trademark]