Two of the biggest growth opportunities we’ve flagged up at NNB – one bone broth, the other protein-plus-probiotics – are embraced in the latest evolution of kids meals and snacks from Once Upon a Farm, the fast-growing baby food company run by serial entrepreneur CEO John Foraker.
Among the latest innovations from the company, whose shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in early 2026, are a meat + bone broth pouch and a protein+probiotics smoothie.
Protein – from meat, bone broth and legumes – is the underpinning of the new nutrient-dense options. The Meat (five varieties), Meat & Bone Broth (three varieties), and Legume Blends (two varieties), come in 3.5oz (100ml) pouches delivering at least 4g of protein from meats –including grass-fed beef, free-range chicken and turkey. They are described as “thoughtfully crafted for little ones' protein needs”.
Nearly half of U.S. parents with children aged three and under say protein is an important attribute when choosing foods for their children, according to a Kantar Profiles/Mintel study cited by Once Upon a Farm (OUAF).
Connecting to the Real Food trend, the pouches will be sold refrigerated after research showed 72% of parents preferred their baby's meat puree to be fresh and refrigerated over shelf stable. Part of OUAF's success has been its use of branded refrigerated units in stores to appeal to consumers looking for real and fresh foods.
OUAF's new organic Smoothies with Protein & Probiotics deliver 4g of protein per 113ml (4 oz) pouch along with probiotics to “help support immune health”. The two variants use whey protein concentrate (WPC) and the cultures are Bacillus Coagulans Gbi-30 6086.
All the new products meet the Once Upon a Farm standard of: organic, non-GMO, no added sugar and free from artificial flavours and colours.
Once Upon a Farm said the new products were “designed to support key development milestones through childhood, whether you're introducing solids, navigating toddler pickiness, or packing school lunches”.
Once Upon a Farm's blog shares more information on The Importance of Protein for Kids and When and How to Introduce Meat to Babies.
Bone broth demand is growing strongly in many western markets, with the US in the lead. It has become one of the most "creative, fast-growing, trend-connected categories", as we said in the March 2026 NNB. “Why broth is gaining momentum isn’t too hard to discover. It's about protein, real food, gut health, convenience, affordability and great taste. It’s a product that checks the box of “naturally functional”, naturally delivering protein and collagen. Benefits naturally built into a food are what consumers want most.”
It is younger consumers who are embracing bone broth the most and they will be the next generation of parents.
OUAF's protein-plus-probiotics approach is also a fast-emerging strategy. As we wrote in May 2026: “Is combining the benefits of protein and digestive wellness the pathway to success that every brand will be trying to follow for the next three to five years? As a pairing it’s a great way to connect to two of the consistently strongest consumer motivations: protein and digestive wellness.”
