BranchOut Food Inc. (NASDAQ: BOF), a food technology company specializing in natural fruit and vegetable snacks through its proprietary GentleDry™ process, has announced a partnership with Zesty Snackz and its founders, digital creators Brenten Szekely and Paul Cuffaro, to launch a new line of single-ingredient Fruit Chips under the Zest Snackz label. This collaboration combines BranchOut's advanced dehydration technology with the extensive digital reach of two of YouTube's most recognizable lifestyle creators, who together command millions of followers across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms.
The new Zesty Snacks Fruit Chips line, powered by BranchOut's GentleDry™ technology, will debut with products made from 100% real fruit, including mango, pineapple, strawberry, and banana. These single-ingredient chips offer vibrant flavor, texture, and nutrients while providing shelf-stable convenience without added sugar, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. BranchOut plans to ship the first full container to Zesty Snacks in April, with follow-on orders expected thereafter. This partnership represents a strategic move for BranchOut to access a direct-to-consumer channel distinct from its existing retail and industrial channels.
“Our partnership with Zesty Snackz and creators like Brenten and Paul represents a powerful intersection of food innovation and modern consumer engagement,” said Eric Healy, CEO of BranchOut Food Inc. “These creators have built trusted brands with highly engaged audiences. By combining that reach with our advanced drying technology and supply chain scale, we are uniquely positioned to deliver premium, single-ingredient snacks to a rapidly expanding market.” The creators' ability to drive purchasing behavior through authentic storytelling and direct audience connection extends their brands beyond digital content into successful merchandise and consumer product lines.
Brenten Szekely expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership allows us to bring something to our audience that we genuinely believe in. Our community wants real, simple, high-quality products, and this collaboration delivers exactly that. After visiting the BranchOut facility in Peru and seeing the GentleDry™ process firsthand, we were incredibly impressed with the technology, the scale of the operation, and the team behind it.” The creators plan to release content from their facility visit in the coming months, further leveraging their platforms to promote the product.
The importance of this announcement lies in its demonstration of how food technology companies can leverage influencer-driven marketing to reach new consumer segments. By partnering with digital creators who have built trusted relationships with their audiences, BranchOut is bypassing traditional retail channels to directly engage with consumers seeking clean-label, single-ingredient snacks. This approach could accelerate adoption of BranchOut's GentleDry™ technology and provide a scalable model for future product launches. For more information about Zesty Snackz, visit https://www.zestysnackz.com/. For updates on BranchOut Food, their newsroom is available at https://tinyurl.com/bofnewsroom.
