You Won't Believe What Freeze-Dried Fruit Snacks Are Hiding – This One Ingredient Changes Everything!

In today's fast-paced world, parents often struggle to provide their children with healthy snacks that also appeal to their tastes. Recognizing this challenge, Sigrid Severijns, a bioengineer with 18 years of experience in product development and quality management, founded **Life is Bananas** nearly a year ago. The company aims to offer healthy snack options that fit seamlessly into busy family lives. "It is not always easy to offer children healthy food that appeals to their taste and fits into a busy family life,” Sigrid explains. “I started wondering how we could get children to eat more fruit and vegetables without sacrificing convenience or taste."

Scheduled to debut at the **Tavola fair** next month, Life is Bananas has developed a distinct line of freeze-dried fruit snacks. The innovative process of freeze-drying allows for the removal of 80 to 90 percent of a fruit's water content, preserving its flavor, color, aroma, and nutrients. "It's like eating a summer strawberry in the middle of winter," says Sigrid, noting that the result is an intense, crunchy snack that her children often refer to as "sweets" or "chips."

Her initial focus was on vegetables, but during the development phase, Sigrid discovered the potential of freeze-dried fruit. The company initially launched with **strawberry** and **mango**, both chosen based on Sigrid's experience and confirmed through consumer surveys. “Our name sometimes causes confusion. People think we specialize in bananas. But the name symbolizes our vision. Life is busy and sometimes a bit 'bananas', or chaotic, and we want to offer a healthy snack within that frenzy that parents feel good about, and children enjoy eating,” she explains.

Interestingly, bananas were not part of the original plan. However, based on consumer feedback, they became one of the favored options. The range now includes three fruit snacks, with a fourth flavor currently under development. While the vegetable concept remains on the agenda, the company is currently focused on expanding its fruit offerings in a structured manner.

Life is Bananas strategically chose to work with subcontractors for production rather than investing in their own freeze-drying equipment, which they deemed too risky at this stage. By collaborating with specialized partners, they can maintain flexibility and quickly scale production while ensuring quality, as Sigrid personally approves each batch.

Commercially, Life is Bananas is capitalizing on a blend of online sales and retail distribution. Their products are currently available in approximately 100 supermarkets across **Belgium**, including well-known chains like **Carrefour** and **Jumbo**. Sigrid sees the **Netherlands** as a particularly promising market, noting that Dutch consumers are increasingly open to innovative and healthy snacks. This aligns well with the company’s goal to provide convenient on-the-go options—an essential feature for families on the move. Remarkably, 100 grams of fresh strawberries yields only about 10 grams after freeze-drying, yet the flavor and nutritional value are largely retained. One bag of freeze-dried fruit can substitute for one of the five recommended daily servings of fruit.

As **Tavola** approaches, marking the company's first anniversary, Sigrid reflects on a journey that has been intense yet rewarding. "We have learned a lot in a short time. The foundation is there, and now it is a matter of controlled further growth. Step by step, we are building a brand that makes healthy food for children natural and enjoyable," she shares.

To bolster growth, Life is Bananas is investing in trade fairs, with Tavola being their first B2B event. This fair offers opportunities to connect with international buyers, retail partners, and distributors, expanding their network and reach. Life is Bananas will be located at booth 1A12 during the event from **March 15 to 17**. As they navigate the challenges and triumphs of their early days, Sigrid and her team remain committed to making healthy eating enjoyable for children and convenient for parents.

For more information, reach out to Sigrid Severijns at Life is Bananas via email at [email protected] or visit their website at www.lifeisbananas.com.