Higher Power Trail Mix

Surprise! Coal & Nuclear Power are Keys to Obama’s Energy Plan

[Editor's Note: This is the eighth installment of our “Outlook 2009” series, which looks at the global investing outlook for the New Year.]

President-elect Barack Obama has made no bones about wanting to jump-start the renewable energy markets – pledging $150 billion for the development of biofuels, solar and wind power, other alternative energy sources during his first term.

But what might the new administration mean for more traditional – and more reliable –energy sources?

Oil is always the first energy source to spring to mind. But it’s hardly a solo act – coal and nuclear make up the other two-thirds of the top fuel trio. Coal delivers 50% of U.S. electricity needs, and nuclear power brings another 20% to the table.

The cold truth is that demand for energy of all types – and especially electricity – is going to keep advancing, domestically and worldwide. And developing alternatives to coal and nuclear will take time. For instance, tying wind and solar into the existing power grid will be enormously expensive and is likely to pose massive technical and engineering problems.

In fact, according to the International Energy Agency, renewable energy isn’t likely to make a meaningful dent in meeting the world’s energy needs before 2030, if then.

And regardless where the power comes from, our appetite for electricity will continue to skyrocket. Across the planet, overall electricity consumption is expected to double by 2030, increasing by 17 trillion kilowatt hours. While electricity demand will “only” increase by 50% in the U.S. market by 2030, demand will increase 400% in China and six-fold in India.

Our research indicates that President Obama will have very little flexibility in solving our short-term energy problems once he’s sworn into office next month. While he may prefer the environmentally friendly alternatives, most of those replacements are far from fully developed.

The bottom line: Obama’s apparent preference for renewable energy aside, coal and nuclear power are fully deployed, and in widespread use, meaning they’ll remain the backbone of our energy sector in the New Year – and for years to come.

Even so, it’s well worth factoring in all the possible players as we examine energy-sector outlook – and the accompanying potential profit plays – for the next 12 months.

King Coal Reigns Supreme

When it comes to future energy profits for investors, coal and nuclear will continue to be the “dream team” for years to come. Coal will provide the answer to our short-term and intermediate energy needs. It’s plentiful, it’s cheaper than other available alternatives, and a big percentage of the world’s power plants burn it.

Nuclear power offers a long-term solution to energy shortages and a clean solution to global warming, as well. Uranium-fueled nuclear plants are cheap to operate, can run for long periods without refueling, and cause little pollution.

While there is widespread distaste for coal-fired power plants that spew billions of tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the air, there’s no doubt coal will continue to be the dominant player in the electricity game for some time to come.

A full 50% of the electricity U.S. consumers use is generated by coal, and coal is king in the rest of the world, as well. According to the IEA, coal accounted for 42% of all worldwide electricity consumption in 2005.
But get this – the agency predicts coal use will explode by 73% over the next 20 years. That’s the largest projected percentage increase of all energy sources.

As you might suspect, China and India use 45% of world’s coal and will be responsible for 80% of that increase. China, alone, uses more coal than the United States, Japan and Europe combined. China is utterly dependent on coal to run its factories and assembly plants, with coal supplying 80% of its electricity. The Red Dragon also is the world’s top producer of steel, a process that’s also a big burner of coal.

But while China is coal’s largest consumer and producer, the United States controls 27% of the world’s proven reserves, the biggest-single percentage on the planet. That puts this country front and center on the worldwide coal stage, and President-elect Obama’s energy policy in the spotlight.

The president plays a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s energy policy, naming top officials at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Obama has proposed an economy-wide cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. His system – which would set an overall emissions limit, then require polluters to buy allowances at public auction – would increase electricity rates and discourage coal consumption in the U.S. market. President-elect Obama even has stated that any utilities building coal-fired plants could go bankrupt buying pollution allowances.

And on Capitol Hill, newly emboldened Democrats recently tackled global warming and other environmental problems by choosing Sen. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., to head the House of Representative’s Energy and Commerce panel. Waxman has already signed onto legislation that would ban any new coal-fired power plants that aren’t built using new technologies that capture carbon dioxide and store it underground, a key part of the Obama energy plan.

Luke Popovich, a spokesman for the National Mining Association, said he believes Obama will be pragmatic about the need to keep coal in the nation’s energy mix.

"He presumably would be sensitive to the impacts of energy policies given the perilous state of the economy," Popovich said.

But while U.S. utilities may eventually be forced to tighten emissions rules and increase rates, Obama’s renewable energy plans will have very little impact on U.S. coal producers in the near future.

The world needs coal. We have it. And we’re going to sell it.

In the first half of 2008, U.S. coal exports increased by 13 million short tons, or 50%, over first-half 2007 shipments, according to the IEA. Strong global demand for coal, combined with supply disruptions in several key coal exporting countries (Australia, South Africa and China), were the primary factors behind the increase.

But lately, coal prices, along with the prices of other fossil fuels, have suffered from the global economic crisis, and from a resurgent U.S. dollar. An 80% decline in global shipping rates has also fostered competition from other exporters, like Australia, which can now ship farther and compete with U.S. exporters.

As a result, the price of Appalachian Coal on the New York Mercantile Exchange (CME) has fallen to less than $80 a ton from $143 in July.

This will have a negative impact on coal producers until the world economy is able to gather itself back up and build up a new head of steam.

But don’t expect the slump to last long. China’s economy is getting a shot in the arm from a gigantic $586 billion stimulus package, cementing growth expectations for 2009. Expect U.S.exports to accelerate when that kicks in, probably in the second half of 2009.

Since the stock market usually leads economic indicators by six-to-nine months, right now is a good time to be looking at candidates for your investing dollar. But you should be cautious about pulling the trigger. Watch construction activity in China – especially steel demand in the late spring – for the first signs of a rebound in coal prices.

When you think things are ready to take off, Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU) and Arch Coal Inc. (ACI) – the largest U.S. producers – are worth a look. For those who like to play a basket of shares, the Market Vectors Coal exchange traded fund (KOL), or ETF, provides the desired diversification. All three securities are trading at discounts of at least 80% from their July highs, and currently trade at bargain basement multiples.

If you want a coal play that bets directly on China, Money Morning Investment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald likes Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd. (ADR: YZC), one of China’s biggest coal suppliers. It produces lots of high-grade, low-sulfur coal, which burns cleaner and therefore fetches a premium price. The company boasts profit margins of 22%, when the industry averages half that. The company profits are up a blistering 364% in the year’s first three quarters, compared with a year ago. The stock trades at only three times earnings and has a dividend yield of 4.3%.

Nuclear Power: It Struggles in the U.S., but Thrives Abroad

Nuclear power is attractive to the energy industry because it produces electricity on a predictable, 24-hour basis – earning it the industry sobriquet of “base load” power. Coal and hydroelectric plants are the only other power sources that also rate that label. Such alternatives as wind, solar or biofuels do not.

During its term, the Bush administration tried to spark a “renaissance” in the construction of nuclear power plants. And during his presidential campaign, Sen. John McCain stood firmly behind the industry’s hopes of building 45 new reactors by 2030.

Interest in new types of reactors seemed to hint at least at the beginnings of a new start. But President-elect Obama has been lukewarm on nuclear. He acknowledges that nuclear is one of several viable components of the nation’s energy portfolio – the current 104-plant fleet provides 20% of America’s electricity – but has questioned its safety while emphasizing a need to diversify the nation’s energy mix with more wind, solar and other renewable sources.

"That’s sort of like my wife saying she’d support divorce under certain situations," says William Kovacs, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vice president of environment, technology, and public affairs.

In fact, the Barack Obama/Joe Biden New Energy for America Plan, while recognizing that nukes provide 70% of our non-carbon-generated electricity, says that “before an expansion of nuclear power is considered, key issues must be addressed including: security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage and proliferation.” It goes on to say that the team of President-elect Obama and incoming Vice President Joe Biden “do not believe that Yucca Mountain is a suitable site as a long-term repository for spent nuclear designed for long-term storage. In any case, the earliest the storage site could open would be 2017, and that was before Republicans lost control of the Senate.

With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., firmly opposed to nuclear waste storage in his home state – and with the Obama administration ready to hold the industry’s feet to the regulatory fire – any plans to expand the nuclear industry in the United States now face a high hurdle.

But nuclear proponents are hardly impotent. The Nuclear Energy Institute, the industry’s most powerful lobbying group, helped craft the Energy Policy Act of 2005 with more than $12 billion in subsidies for nukes.

Maintaining nuclear energy’s current 20% share of generation would require building three reactors every two years starting in 2016, based on U.S. Department of Energy forecasts. Right now, some 17 companies and consortia are pursuing licenses for more than 30 nuclear power plants with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

But the last operating license for a nuclear plant in the United States was issued in 1978, and the approval process takes a minimum of 24 months after site approval, which can take years. Expect lots of public comment and infighting in Washington, as applications wind their way through the approval process at the NRC.

Meanwhile, the rest of the world is racing ahead with plans to up the ante in the nuclear power game. There are currently 440 nuclear reactors in 31 countries that generate about 16% of the world’s electricity.

Uranium-fueled nuclear energy is rapidly gaining global acceptance as a clean, reliable alternative to such dirty-burning fossil fuels as coal and oil. In a twin bid to combat global warming and keep up with soaring demand for electricity, countries are rushing to build nuclear power plants. Under current projections, 630 reactors will be operating in 55 countries by 2030.

It’s the new technologies those reactors are designed around that are aimed at allaying the public’s perception about the safety of nuclear power. Toshiba Plant & System Services, which has built 112 plants in the past 12 years (more than any other company), is working on a “mininuke,” according to Forbes magazine. Called the “4S” (short for Super-Safe, Small and Simple), it uses a bath of molten sodium to produce steam twice as hot as steam from water-cooled reactors. The 4S can crank out as much as 50 megawatts of power, easily enough to fire up a small factory, or to service an entire town that’s located off the main power grid.

On top of that, the mininuke can go 30 years without refueling, as opposed to typical reactors, which must be fed every 18 months. And the 4S will be safer, because the reactor core is deep underground, well protected against a terrorist attack or earthquakes.

China and South Africa are working on so-called “pebble-bed reactors,” one version of which is filled with 100,000 billiard-ball-sized spheres of coated uranium that are cooled by helium. That eliminates the need for enormous pressurized water-cooling systems and million-dollar containment domes, making them virtually meltdown-proof.

U.S. firms are also on the trail of smaller and safer designs. A Santa Fe, NM company called Hyperion Power Generation Inc., is working on a hot-tub sized design, which eliminates the need for the notoriously unstable uranium control rods. U.S. giant General Electric Co. (GE) is working on new, more efficient designs, as well.

No matter how you slice it, the fuel for the reactors in those plants all depend on a scarce commodity – uranium. Flat out, there’s just not enough “yellow cake” to go around. It takes seven to 10 years to transform a uranium discovery into a fully operational mine. With that kind of lag time, it’s clearly almost impossible for supply to keep up with demand.

Until recently, the market reflected the scarcity, rising as high as $137 a pound in 2007. But lately, despite the global shortages, uranium prices – in sympathy with other commodity prices – have nosedived.

Prices have fallen 40% this year, leading to a sharp decline in the share prices of mining companies, and eviscerating the financing for extraction projects. In the last month alone, six uranium mines in western Colorado and Utah were either put on hold or closed.

Some experts lay the blame for this current credit squeeze squarely at the feet of hedge funds – who they blame for buying up uranium – and banks no longer willing to lend money.

“Hedge funds were selling off their uranium to raise cash, and the prices just plunged,” said George E.L. Glasier, chief executive officer of Energy Fuels Inc., a Canadian junior miner that recently put a Colorado mine project on hold as part of a “capital preservation” strategy brought on by the credit crunch.

Uranium prices fell to $75 early this year, and fell as low as $44 this fall. The spot price now is $55.

With the worldwide growth in the industry – and a classic supply/demand imbalance in the making – someone is eventually going to have to pay the price. History shows when uranium prices move higher, uranium stocks almost always hitch a ride North. So when uranium prices advance – most likely to new highs – expect mining stocks to rise in virtual lock step.

But notwithstanding global growth – for now, at least – Obama’s energy plan and the mothballing of mines makes any uranium play a long-term proposition.

Besides Toshiba (PINK:TOSBF), the stocks to consider include Cameco Corp. (CCJ), the largest U.S. producer; and General Electric, which has a presence in the commercial nuclear power market here and overseas. Also, take a look at Rio Tinto PLC (RTP) and BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), huge international mining firms with large uranium deposits. Each of these firms would stand to reap substantial profits from a resurgent price in yellow cake.

Outlook 2009 – and Beyond

However, regardless of what uranium does, coal is still the 800-pound gorilla in the energy world. In the United States, no matter how lofty our environmental intentions may be, it’s unlikely coal will be regulated out of existence anytime soon. That’s especially true overseas, where coal is playing a crucial role, fueling the transformation of such countries as China and India from “emerging markets” into first-order powerhouse economies. Given that, the world market simply can’t replace coal anytime soon, either.

As for nuclear power, safety improvements and other technological solutions make nuclear energy a viable energy source for the long term, eventually grabbing a bigger piece of the energy pie – especially overseas.

The bottom line: The economic outlook for both coal and nuclear power is upbeat. Investors might look at both energy plays when considering how to allocate their portfolio – for the New Year and beyond.

[Editor’s Note: Money Morning’s “Outlook 2009” economic forecasting series last looked at the outlook for retail sales in the New Year. Next up: Latin America. Check out past series stories, which have underscored that uncertainty will continue to be the watchword for at least the first part of the New Year. Little wonder, as the global financial crisis continues to whipsaw the U.S. financial markets in a manner that hasn’t been seen since the Great Depression. It’s almost enough to make you surrender. But what if you knew, ahead of time, what marketplace changes to expect? Then you’d be in the driver’s seat – right? You’d know what to anticipate, could craft a profit strategy to follow, and could then just sit back, watching and waiting – and finally profiting from – the very marketplace events you anticipated.

R. Shah Gilani – a retired hedge fund manager and a nationally known expert on the U.S. credit crisis– has predicted five key financial crisis “aftershocks” that he says will create substantial profit opportunities for investors who know just what these aftershocks are, and how to play them. In the Trigger Event Strategist, Gilani describes how investors can use these aftershocks, or “trigger events,” as gateways to massive profits. To find out all about these five financial-crisis aftershocks, and about the trigger-event profit strategy they feed into, check out our latest report.]

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Annie's Homegrown Berry Patch Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 5-Count Pouches (Pack of 4) List Price: $21.52 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $4.97 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Organic Berry patch bunny fruit snacks are a delicious mix of strawberry, cherry and raspberry flavored bunnies. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily value of vitamin C. Features Case of four, 4-ounce boxes (total of 16 ounces) Three delicious, all natural flavors in every pouch: strawberry, cherry, and raspberry Certified organic; made with real fruit juice Vegan; gelatin free, fat free; and naturally gluten free 5 packets, 0.8oz per box Reviews tasty snack by Play Money from on 2010-08-07 these are very flavorful fruit snacks. My kids and i prefer them to others that have many more unhealthy ingredients. they are pricey, but anything that says organic tends to be. Love these! by T. Grahek from Minneapolis, MN on 2010-07-28 My daughter reacts badly to red dye 40 (temper outbursts) and we cut all fruit snacks and the like out of her diet. I didn't try these fruit snacks for a long time because they were expensive but getting them cheaper here helped. All of my kids love them and I do too! They are a great lunch box dessert and I am excited to have coming by the case. Good product, HORRIBLE VALUE by Billy Gilliam from Las Vegas, NV on 2010-07-23 You are paying $16.55 for 20 small (really small) packages that a kid could swallow in one bite if he wanted to. I have no idea how this item got so many positive reviews. Was very tempted to give it 1 star, but the product does taste good and is healthy, but 1400 calories for $16.55, you have to be kidding me Annie! My 2-yr. old loves these! by Regina A. McLenon from Kansas on 2010-07-16 These organic fruit snacks are yummy, gummy (but not too gummy), and when my 2 yr. old son wants them instead of the real deal, I don't feel too guilty. Finally! A Tasty, Convenient Vegan 'Gummy' Treat! by goonius from a room in a house on a street in a city just like any other. on 2010-05-25 What's the best thing about Annie's Gummy Bunnies? They're gelatin-free. And frankly 'm a fan of candy sans rendered hooves, bones and skin. Vegetarian gummies are a darn-near impossible thing to find. These are available in al our local grocery stores.Of course, the next-best-thing about these little candies are that they taste good. Sweet, a little tangy. Slightly chewy, but with more of a sticky consistency than traditional gelatin-containing gummy characters, which have a rubber-like consitency. They do, in fact, taste like fruit. I'm not sure why that offends some reviewers, but to each their own, I suppose.I love them, and so do my kids. We use them for my chocolate-intolerant daughter as potty-time treats. They're candy, not health food - don't let the 'organic' and all-natural things fool you into thinking otherwise. But they're candy like candy should be. Good old-fashioned sugar, natural flavorings, natural colors, vs. all-too-common nasty, high-fructose corn-syrup, artificial flavors, artificial colors candy.Are you going to pay an arm and a leg for them? Of course! But if you're vegan or vegetarian you're probably already used to paying more for a shorter/more natural list of ingredients. My advice: Savor them. They're a treat!

Annie's Homegrown Tropical Treat Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 4.0 Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $21.52 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $4.97 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Organic tropical treat bunny fruit snacks are a delicious mix of mango-peach, tropical punch and orange flavored bunnies. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily value of vitamin c. Features Case of four, 4-ounce boxes (total of 16 ounces) Certified organic and made with real fruit juice Vegan, gelatin free, fat free, and naturally gluten free 100% recommended daily value of Vitamin C 5 packets, 0.8oz per box Reviews Pretty Good by Purdue Girl from Indiana on 2010-07-11 I want to point out that these are definitely fruit snacks and not like gummy bears. I searched gummies and these came up, so I decided to try them. The flavor is really good, and I love that they're organic. They come in individual packs in each box, so they're easy to take with you. They make everyone super thirsty, though. Overall, I'd recommend them. Just be sure to have some water. Good taste, weird consistency by Robyn from Missouri on 2010-05-23 I bought these at the grocery store, excited - hoping they would be something fantastic. They have a great flavor to them but the get really soft and sticky and fall apart in your mouth...just a really weird consistency, never had a candy like that before. I can see where some people would like them, but my boyfriend and I didn't care for them too much. We ate the whole box of them because of the good flavor, but overall I would not buy these again. Wonderful by Sandra Crytzer from on 2010-02-21 These bunnies are a big hit here. My three year old son just loves them and thinks they are candy. The best organic snax! by Art E. Misia from USA on 2010-02-10 Organic, made with fruit juice,no preservatives, no high-fructose corn syrup, etc. And they taste better than any other gummy candy I've tried. What more could you ask for? Well, I do wish they were less expensive, but the adage "you get what you pay for" certainly applies here, and purchasing from amazon was less expensive than the supermarket. Highly recommended. I can't say enough good things about these. Great organic snack for kids! by A. Bromley from Virginia, USA on 2010-01-26 My kids love these bunnies. They are much healthier than other gummy-type snacks, so I don't have to worry about them having these once and a while. A good price also.

Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Mango, Banana and Orange 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10) List Price: $19.00 Sale Price: $16.50 You save: $2.50 (13%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit snacks are ideal for babies and children. They contain 100% organic fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The convenient squeezable pouch means there is no need for a spoon. The pouches are resealable which makes them a great snack for children whenever you are out and about or to feed your baby at the start of weaning. We don't add water only natural fruit, so each 3.5oz pouch counts as one of your child's 'five a day'. You can contact us with any questions at peter@prorganics.com Features 100% Fruit No added Sugar 100% USDA Organic Nothing Artificial No added water Reviews my daughter loves these! by sjm501 from on 2010-08-28 Originally found these at Starbucks. Ordering by the case is less expensive. My 5 yr old loves them and they are great for fruit in lunch boxes or a snack, she drinks it! Great for 3 year old and mommy, too! by Emm from Virginia, USA on 2010-08-15 My three year old has started the picky eater phase.... she used to eat all of the lovely fruits and veggies I put in front of her. Not anymore. But she LOVES this and can take it with her in the car, the stroller, in the bike trailer and no mess. Plus, it is TASTY --- much yummier than a pudding cup or something dastardly like that and REAL FRUIT! Finally a snake truce! Yummy, convenient, but too expensive by R. Dorman from on 2010-04-15 My daughter first tried a similar organic fruit snack in a pouch at Starbucks and had to have more. These little pouches are very yummy, healthy and the packaging is very convenient. I bought a case of them and she requests them all the time. However, they are quite expensive, so I limit how many she can have in a day. TOO SWEET!!! by Marta Obosky from NJ on 2010-03-30 This product is way too sweet!!! Yes, it tastes yummy but is so sweet that my kids don't even want to eat it!! It's also mostly banana! From my experience, anything that has banana added makes the fruit way too sweet. The one's without banana taste great and are well worth the purchase!! Fruit by S. White from Sylmar, CA on 2010-03-23 This is the best fruit. I freeze them and put them in my kids lunch box. This flavor is best!!!!!

Annie's Homegrown Summer Strawberry Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $17.96 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $1.41 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Summer Strawberry fruit snacks are enlivened with the taste of juicy strawberries. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Features Two delicious, all natural, organic strawberry flavors in every pouch. Certified organic and made with real fruit juice Vegan, gelatin free, fat free, and naturally gluten free 100% recommended daily value of Vitamin C 5 packets, 0.8oz per box Reviews Yummy by Rednikkired from CT on 2010-06-15 My picky sons love this snack and I will definitely buy this again although it's fairly pricey. VERY GOOD! by J. DeGrusso from Trumansburg, New York United States on 2010-06-02 These were delicious and knowing that they were natural made it even better! I would definately buy this again. 3 generation approval by D. Z. Sanford from WATERBURY, CT, USA on 2010-05-30 My granddaughter, my son and daughter-in-law, and I all think this snack is delicious; don't feel guilty at all about offering to a 4-year-old or snacking on a diet! Our family loves these organic gummy snacks. Delicious real fruit tastes. by Mrs. R. Henderson from LOWER ALABAMA USA on 2010-05-25 Everyone in my family loves these delicious real food gummies. Annies has went above and beyond with the creation of this delicious flavor. My grandkids ages 1 to 5 and my kids 9 and 12 ask for these constantly. They love them so much, that I have to get me a pack when I first open a box ,or I will not get any. All the Annie gummy bunies flavors are awesome. Food Allergies by jamieb from Boston, MA on 2010-05-22 My daughter is egg, soy, peanut, tree nut, sesame allergic and corn intollerant. Annie's Homegrown Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks are the first "candy" that my 8 year old can eat and she loves them. We think they taste great and she does not get puffy and itchy after consuming them. Thank you Annie's!

Late July Organic Mini Peanut Butter Bite Size Sandwich Crackers, 1.125-Ounce Pouches in 8-Count Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $31.84 Sale Price: $19.90 You save: $11.94 (38%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Real organic peanut butter organic buttery tasting rich crackers are USDA organic. While carefree mid-summer days inspired our name, the love of family inspired our ideas. On any given day you can find three generations at work including my father, and cofounder, mother, husband, aunt and three year old son, the boy on the front and the biggest fan of our new organic mini sandwich crackers. As a mother, I'm constantly in the position where I need to give my son a snack on the go, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the quality of the ingredients for convenience. These mini sandwich crackers were developed with him in mind. Our family hopes you enjoy them. The organic ingredients in our Mini Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers are produced without synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetic engineering. They also contain real organic peanut butter, no trans fat, no hydrogenated oils, no corn syrup, no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, no preservatives, no cholesterol and are vegan. Features Case of four boxes, each box containing eight 1.125-ounce pouches (total of 36 ounces) Child-friendly snack of real peanut butter between buttery-tasting rich crackers USDA-certified-organic; no trans fats or hydrogenated oils; kosher and lacto-vegetarian Late July brand name inspired by carefree mid-summer days when it's family time Made by the Bernard family's snack-food business (founder of Cape Cod Potato Chips ) in Hyannis, MA Reviews Late July Bite Size crackers by Theresa B. Buckhout from NC Raleigh on 2010-08-22 The Late July crackers are very good. They are great for portion control. I have been purchasing Late July products for several years. Amazon offers the best price compared to grocery stores. Seriously tasty but $$$$ by pod shopper from Vienna, VA United States on 2010-01-11 I LOVE these peanut butter crackers! Delicious! I don't like the packaging options - I think it contributes to the high cost - but these are great for lunches and portion control (which I probably need!) but they're not cheap even with subscription. Still, it's a quality product - the peanut butter is not greasy or with off flavors and the cracker is light and crispy. I could eat two or three million with a glass of cold milk.... Healthy bite size snack for children and adults alike... by Jasmine from Waldport, OR United States on 2009-12-05 Tasty bite size crackers made with recognizable and healthy ingredients. Convenient, easy to pack and grab as you head out the door. Highly recommend for all ages, although children really love them and they are perfect size for tots! a great diet-friendly snack by Pink Cat from MN on 2009-10-26 First, a confession...I've never ordered these from Amazon. I buy mine in a 5 oz. box at my local grocery store.These crackers taste great. Peanut butter on crackers has been a favorite snack of mine for years (I'm a carb addict) and the flavor of these is comparable to all other brands I've ever tried. The cracker isn't quite as crisp or as buttery as a Ritz, but its still quite good.According to the nutrition info on the side of my box, 13 crackers has only 110 calories. Even with half a glass of organic milk, I can enjoy these crackers without blowing my diet. Having the crackers with a little milk is very satisfying, too. Its a good snack for late afternoon, when you're looking for something to hold you over until supper.I also really like the tiny size. Since they're pretty much bite-sized, I can eat these in the car without getting crumbs on my clothing, seat, or floorboard. In a pinch, I'll eat them for breakfast during my morning commute. They're pretty good with coffee. Only 120 cal for one bag! How can you not eat it? by Chi from Washington, DC on 2009-08-27 I bought this product because I have to find some good "junk food" for my toddler. Well, guess I am the one who ends up eating most of them. It's only 120 calories for one bag. I can totally fit that into my diet plan. It's healthy and has no preservatives. They are not those usual "junk" sandwich crackers you got on the grocery store shelves. Seriously, for a better diet, even though they cost more, they worth every penny of it. I brought them into my office as well. Everyone in the office commented on how good they taste. Once again, I am so proud of myself finding something that please everyone including my precious baby boy!

Sensible Foods Organic Crunch Dried Snacks, Apple Harvest, 0.75-Ounce, 12-Count Pouches List Price: $21.36 Sale Price: $16.43 You save: $4.93 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description The seed that sprouted into Sensible Foods was planted in Sono ma County, California, by Bob and David, two sensible guys who are committed to healthy living for themselves and their families. Their quest was to create a munchy crunchy snack that was both delicious and nutritious, that everyone would enjoy. The goal was realized when they perfected the unique crunch dried process for fruits and vegetables and the results were extraordinary! It is an intensely flavorful snack that's naturally sweet, crunchy, convenient and so incredibly sensible. Here at Sensible Foods we are pleased to offer delicious and nutritious snacks from our family to yours, a product of the USA. Features Case of twelve 0.75-ounce pouches (total of 9 ounces) Organic mix of apples; each pouch equal to 1/2-cup fresh fruit 100 percent organic and All-natural; No fat; Gluten or GMO; No preservatives Shelf life of more than one year; Unique process removes water and preserves nutritional value and natural flavor Product of California Reviews Not good for a toddler by Agent 609 from Ventura, CA USA on 2010-09-03 They're alright. But not what I expected. I was hoping it would be more like the other brands of dried apples - crispy, but then melt in your mouth. I bought these for my toddler, but the pieces are big, hard, and do not melt in your mouth. I'm afraid they present a bit of a choking hazard for a one year old.On the bright side - they are NOT made in China! I suppose if you're into dried apples for yourself, they should work. great fruit snack by Helen M. Broome from GAINESVILLE FL on 2010-06-21 I really like these fruit snacks. Very healthy and easy to used in my diet. Delicious and Sensible food by D. Mauro from New Jersey on 2010-01-30 These snacks are so very delicious. I am always looking for a healthy snack and I was pleasantly surprised when I found Sensible Foods.They are so satisfying and delicious that I my biggest problem is having enough in the house.My sons love them and that is always a great thing. I am so very pleased that they grab for these healthy snacks rather than junk.I highly recommend this product. Just make sure to buy alot...they will disappear quickly. Not For Me by Tulor from Richmond, VA USA on 2009-10-12 Everyone in my office loves these except for me. It does not suit my taste. However, since everyone's tastebuds are different, you may need to try them for yourself. Awesome! by Beach lover from Florida on 2009-07-31 I remember eating these in the 70's... probably a different brand, but the same taste and crunch! These are awesome for a quick snack on the go. They stay crunchy and fresh and you will polish off a bag in no time, so there is no worry about storage after the bag is opened. One downside... they are expensive. I actually tried to 'make these' in my food dehydrator. Not at all the same crunch and flavor. These are the best that I have tried anywhere and I have tried a lot of different brands. The Apple is the best of this brand :) All natural too and healthy!

Sensible Foods Organic Crunch Dried Snacks, Sweet Corn, 0.75-Ounce, 12-Count Pouch List Price: $21.36 Sale Price: $16.43 You save: $4.93 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description The seed that sprouted into Sensible Foods was planted in Sono ma County, California, by Bob and David, two sensible guys who are committed to healthy living for themselves and their families. Their quest was to create a munchy crunchy snack that was both delicious and nutritious, that everyone would enjoy. The goal was realized when they perfected the unique crunch dried process for fruits and vegetables and the results were extraordinary! It is an intensely flavorful snack that's naturally sweet, crunchy, convenient and so incredibly sensible. Here at Sensible Foods we are pleased to offer delicious and nutritious snacks from our family to yours, a product of the USA. Features Case of twelve 0.75-ounce pouches (total of 9 ounces) Mix of organic sweet corn and sea salt; each pouch equal to 1/2-cup fresh vegetables 100 percent organic and All-natural; No fat; Gluten or GMO; No preservatives Shelf life of more than one year; Unique process removes water and preserves nutritional value and natural flavor Product of California Reviews Yummy snack by Cheri Sheahan from on 2010-08-25 This is so tasty, but like others have said, it is nothing like corn nuts. It's crunchy, but not too crunchy. Delicious. yummy, great snack for toddlers and children by Thomas Twain from on 2010-08-20 This is organic freeze dried corn. It is light and crunchy, not hard. My kids love it. It is great to throw in the bag for a snack when you are on the run. Excellent! by Tanya from on 2010-06-11 These are fabulous! Just enough salt, plenty of crunch. I will be ordering more because the kids love them. I plan to try some of their other products as well. Awesome Snacks by D. Hicks from TX United States on 2010-03-27 These Sensible Foods Sweet Corn Dried Snacks are perfect for any time of the day or night. They are healthy. They are decidedly convenient. My family is hooked. Best snack I've had in a long time! by Amy Nicolai from Houston, TX United States on 2010-02-25 I picked up a bag of these in an airport newstand shop... needed to find something light and tasty to take with me on the plane. Wow, these are great! The texture is very light, soft/crunchy, and the little bit of added salt make it PERFECT. I am pleased to find them on Amazon and will be setting up a repeat order. Wonderful!

Annie's Homegrown Sunny Citrus Organic Bunny Fruit Snacks, 4-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 4) List Price: $17.96 Sale Price: $16.55 You save: $1.41 (8%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Sunny Citrus fruit snacks offer a burst of all-natural lemon, lime, and orange flavors. Certified organic, these bunny-shaped fruit snacks are made with real fruit juice and packed with 100% daily recommended value of Vitamin C. Features Three delicious, all natural, organic flavors in every pouch: lemon, lime, and orange. Certified organic and made with real fruit juice Vegan, gelatin free, fat free, and naturally gluten free 100% recommended daily value of Vitamin C 5 packets, 0.8oz per box Reviews Annie's fruit snacks by T. Swanby from Superior, WI on 2010-08-02 Our son loved these fruit snacks and it was nice knowing they are made from real fruit juices, etc. All around excellent! by OregonMomOf3 from on 2010-07-06 I am extremely happy with these fruit snacks. My children love them and are a healthier alternative to other "fruit" snacks out there. Plus, getting them from Amazon is super easy and I'm going to sign up for auto-delivery so we never run out! annie fruit snacks by from on 2010-06-10 great producet, my grandson loves them... worth the price. not filled with all the junk the other snacks offer...... great price too AWESOME ORGANIIC REAL FRUIT SNACK FOR ALL AGES! MY WHOLE FAMILIE LOVES THESE! SOFT AND CHEWY NOT HARD! by Mrs. R. Henderson from LOWER ALABAMA USA on 2010-05-25 Everyone in my family loves these delicious real food gummies. Annies has went above and beyond with the creation of this delicious flavor. My grandkids ages 1 to 5 and my kids 9 and 12 ask for these constantly. They love them so much, that I have to get me a pack when I first open a box ,or I will not get any. All the Annie gummy bunies are great. yummy & safe to eat! by rural girl from USA on 2010-05-01 These are real food! Absolutely delicious and no nasty chemicals, additives or preservatives. They are gummy, but a nice heavy gummy that must come from the sunflower oil they use. The flavor is terrific and I ate them much too quickly. I also gave little baggies to friends who have since bought boxes as well >>> buy a box! Support Annie's, healthy food and enjoy a healthy snack!

Kettle Valley Certified Organic Real Fruit Snack, Strawberry, 0.7-Ounce Bars (Pack of 30) List Price: $23.40 Sale Price: $18.00 You save: $5.40 (23%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Average Rating: Description Kettle Valley’s Fruit Snacks are increasingly popular as consumers choose Real 100% Fruit Snacks over the sugar-based, less-than-natural fruit snacks. Kettle Valley Fruit Snacks are 100% natural, containing no preservatives or added sugar, artificial colors or flavors. Suitable for low glycemic index and diabetic diets. Features Pack of 30 .7-ounce bars (total of 21 ounces) An apple in every bar USDA certified organic, all-natural, high-fiber, no sugar added Easy to chew, soft texture (not leathery) Product of Canada Reviews My 18 mo. old loves this snack! by Lil' Lorna from Mid-West on 2010-09-07 This is a healthy and tasty snack to give to your little one. Buying through Amazon.com (using the subscription option) made it a lot cheaper than purchasing at a local food co-op. I will definitely be a repeater of this product till my little one says no more. Love them! by Nate from on 2009-11-09 I bought these for my daughter as a healthy snack for her. She loves them, I love them. We easily went through all 30. The flavor, texture and health factor are all good. I would suggest these to anyone. =) Great snack/treat for kids!!! Much better than "leathers" by NaturallyMama from Northwest, FL on 2009-02-19 These are great! My almost 3 year old loves these! I think he'd probably eat any flavor of them though. I love this brand because they are so soft and much easier for him to eat than the fruit "leathers". We've tried the fruitabu smooshed fruit as well as their regular fruit leathers and quite frankly the "smooshed" fruit ones are not a single bit different in texture than their regular leathers. But the kettle valley are so totally different the flavor is alot stronger and, well, better, but again the texture is much better and these don't get all sticky like the others. I don't feel bad giving these to my son when he just wants a snack or something sweet. We don't allow "candy" other than an occasional organic lollipop. Also I have tried the non organic versions of these as well and they are just as good, and cost a bit less.My husband likes them as well, he says he really doesn't care which ones I order but I think he does seem to "prefer" the kettle valley ones. Great snack for all. by Samantha Chaintreuil from Lee Center, NY United States on 2009-02-02 My husband and I are addicted to these fruit snacks. I love that they are a sweet treat without being junk; each bar is a serving of fruit. I often bring these as a snack for my nephew and he really likes them. It is a little deceiving because even though they say they are strawberry fruit snacks they are mostly made of apple unlike some other natural fruit snacks. I still love them and with amazon subscription we never run out. wonderful flavor by L. Ferguson from Fairbanks, AK on 2006-06-26 So nice to get good food without added sugar, fake sugar or bad chemicals!!! VERY nice snack to take along!

Peter Rabbit Organics, Organic Strawberry and Banana 100% Pure Fruit Snack, 3.5-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 10) Sale Price: $39.95   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Average Rating: Description Peter Rabbit Organics 100% fruit snacks are ideal for babies and children. They contain 100% organic fruit with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The convenient squeezable pouch means there is no need for a spoon. The pouches are resealable which makes them a great snack for children whenever you are out and about or to feed your baby at the start of weaning. We don't add water only natural fruit, so each 3.5oz pouch counts as one of your child's 'five a day'. Features 100% Fruit No added Sugar 100% USDA Organic Nothing Artificial No added water Reviews great product by Jennifer L. Lash from FL on 2010-07-20 These fruit squeezes are a healthy on the go snack which is invaluable for toddlers So Conveinent! by Happymama from on 2010-06-25 This snack is a great idea for families on the go. Our child loves that he can carry it around and feed it to himself. It tastes great and makes me feel confident that I am providing a nutritious snack. Perfect for school lunches by K. Hazen from Seattle, WA on 2010-06-17 Just stick these in your freezer and pull one out each morning when packing school lunches. Perfect smoothie at lunch time. Great flavor without all the junk! Great portable and healthy snack for toddlers by Deb from North Carolina on 2010-06-16 Great product. Pricey, but I try to tell myself that fruit and my child's nutrition is one place where I SHOULD spend a little extra (sure it's easy to give him some sort of cracker or processed food in the car that costs pennies, but is that the right thing...)! I compared many of the different "pouch fruit purees" on the market, and what I liked about this brand and flavor is that it's 100% banana and strawberries--not diluted down with applesauce. Not that there's anything wrong with apple sauce, but I feel better about the price knowing that it wasn't mostly applesauce that I could get way less expensive out of a jar. Organic strawberries are expensive, and yet one of the fruits most important to buy organic (because they harbor so many pesticides). My son sucks down these "smoothies" in no time--kind of hilarious. The only drawback I see is that they are technically pretty high in sugar. Of course they are natural fruit sugars, but it's sugar nonetheless. But I think that's a pretty low "con" as I really can't complain if my kid's getting natural organic fruit in his body. Good for older children too by D. Toia from Brooklyn, NY on 2010-03-22 As I read through this product information it seemed more for toddlers than for older children. My 9 yr old daughter and I were at a kids event and she was told to pick one Peter Rabbit Organics - I thought it was a juice pouch at first - and one bagged snack. My daughter loved this fruit snack. Squeezing fruit into her mouth was fun to her. I like the fact that it is pure fruit and good for her.We kept the empty pouch as a reminder to buy some. Months later, we finally did and she is enjoying them. The product is a bit expensive compared to buying some fruit but I would definitely recommend Peter Rabbit Organics fruit snacks to children of all ages.

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