SWEET potato crisp pioneer Kevin Harvie is launching a range of lentil puffs aimed at families as he looks to capitalise on demand for healthy snacks.
The Super Moons go on sale on Scotrail trains this week in cheese and onion and salt and vinegar flavours.
Mr Harvie developed them after spotting a gap in the market for a product that was low on fat and salt and could appeal to children.
The dad of two found plenty of heathy products on the market for toddlers but not much for children who had moved beyond that stage.
He created the puffs using the product development skills he built up after quitting his corporate finance job to start the Hectares crisp business.
Mr Harvie decided that lentils would fit the bill because they don’t have a strong base flavour and are familiar to most people thanks to their use in staples such as soup.
The branding for the product, which draws on the story of a child who dreams of flying to the moon, has been developed to help engage children.
“We knew right from the start that the design had to be bold to appeal to kids. We opted for a space theme because it’s unisex and really captures the imagination,” said Mr Harvie. “It also provided the platform for creating a brand that inspires children to dream and not set limits on what they can achieve.”
The launch on Scotrail will allow the firm to introduce Super Moons to consumers across the country.
Mr Harvie is in talks about deals that could see Super Moons go on sale in schools and hospitals in coming weeks.
He expects to move into the retail market in the longer term.
The diversification move comes three years after Mr Harvie introduced Hectares sweet potato crisps to the market, after deciding to leave his job with Grant Thornton accountants to follow his dream of starting a business.
Mr Harvie fried home-made crisps in his kitchen after work before coming up with a version that he thought had potential.
Sweet potatoes are high in fibre and vitamin A.
He has been pleased with the progress the business has made.
Annual sales revenues for Hectares are in six figures.
The supply chain extends to the USA from where Hectares gets its sweet potatoes.
Mr Harvie uses contract manufacturers to produce Hectares and Super Moons.
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