Salt & Straw, Voodoo Doughnuts release Kellogg’s-themed treats amid boycott
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Popular Portland-based dessert chains Voodoo Doughnuts and Salt & Straw both released Kellogg’s brand-themed treats in March amid a Tik-Tok fueled boycott against the cereal giant.
On March 4, Voodoo Doughnuts announced a new line of Pop-Tart-themed donuts referred to as “Go-Tarts.” On March 28, Salt & Straw announced the return of its “Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats Ice Cream” — a Rice Krispies Treats-themed flavor — after a three-year hiatus. Both Pop-Tarts and Rice Krispies Treats are Kellogg’s brand foods.
The ongoing boycott against Kellogg’s started when the company’s CEO Gary Pilnick suggested that families struggling to pay for rising grocery costs should eat cereal for dinner during an interview with CNBC.
“The cereal category has always been quite affordable and it tends to be a great destination when consumers are under pressure,” Pilnick said in the interview.
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The CEO went on to say that Kellogg’s is running advertisements to promote cereal for dinner as grocery bills remain high. CNN reports that cereal prices have increased 28% since January of 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Kellogg’s raised prices by 12% during the most recent fiscal year.
“Cereal for dinner is something that is probably more on trend now, and we would expect to continue as that consumer is under pressure,” Plinick said.
The segment has since been compared to the “let them eat cake” quote often attributed to Marie-Antoinette, despite a lack of historical evidence.
The proposed boycott is supposed to last until June 30, MarketWatch reports. Swarms of TikTokers using the hashtag #KelloggsBoycott have started to share daily updates on the state of the boycott, often showing aisles of unsold Kellogg’s products.
Voodoo Doughnuts and Salt & Straw both provided statements to KOIN 6 saying that there has been no collaboration with Kellogg’s on these new products.
Voodoo Doughnuts’ “Go-Tart” flavors. (Voodoo Doughnuts) Salt & Straw’s “Snap ‘N Crackle Marshmallow Treats” ice cream, which is back for a limited time. (Salt & Straw)
“Salt & Straw plans their menus a year in advance,” the spokesperson for the company said. “The ingredients were purchased wholesale, and this menu is not in partnership with any brands. There was no marketing collaboration with Kellogg’s.”
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“Our Go-Tart series is inspired by nostalgic pastry flavors with bright fruit fillings and indulgent takes on breakfast treats,” a Voodoo Doughnuts spokesperson said. “There is not an official partnership for this series.”
Kellanova, one half of the now-split Kellogg Company, told KOIN 6 that it supports Voodoo Doughnuts and Salt & Straw’s creativity.
“While Kellanova did not collaborate on these products, as a company, we’ve always been about supporting those who challenge convention and spark creativity so long as they respect the intellectual property of others,” the multinational corporation said.
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