Award Winning Issei Mochi Gummies Launches in Target Nationwide

(New York, NY) –  September 29, 2024  – Issei Mochi Gummies, the world’s first mochi gummy brand, has announced today the national launch at Target stores. Issei Mochi Gummies flavors Strawberry and Mango will be available in select Target stores starting this October. This news marks a crucial growth juncture as the brand enters the next phase of retail expansion and new flavors and product launches coming in 2025.

In just under two years, Issei is already contributing 8% to the overall growth of the gummy candy subcategory in the natural channel (Source: SPINS; Total US Natural Expanded; TPL; L24 Weeks Ending 06/16/2024). Founded in 2022 by first-generation Japanese American entrepreneur, Mika Shino, the award-winning Issei Mochi Gummies’ physical retail presence has multiplied over 1300%, now spanning over 2,500 locations nationwide across multiple retailers in the U.S. including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Albertsons Stores, Walmart, Raley's, Hy-Vee, World Market, Pop Up Grocer, Bestie's Vegan Paradise, The World Bank, Central Market, as well as to the Compass Group, one of the largest restaurant service providers in the U.S. as well as exporting to the Middle East The company also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, and on Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, Faire, POD Foods and Flip.

Recent Mochigummies.com launches have included subscription options, variety packs and a new online candy shop where customers can build their own candy boxes.
Watch Mika Shino talk about the company here on CNN.

“We are thrilled and honored to be launching Issei Mochi Gummies at Target. We are grateful for this exciting opportunity and look forward to Target customers trying our unique gummies with a new kind of chew and subtle, natural flavors ,” says Mika Shino, the Founder and CEO of Issei. 

Issei Mochi Gummies are the world’s first mochi candy brand. The gummies are shelf-stable, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to ingredients devoid of GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies have a completely new textural and chewing experience with a soft, long, chewy, pillowy texture, somewhere between a gummy bear and a marshmallow. Issei Mochi Gummies are manufactured in the United States and available flavors include sour watermelon, tangerine, strawberry, mango, yuzu and peach, winning several industry awards in its first launch year. This year the brand also released a first of its kind limited edition dark chocolate covered strawberry mochi gummy, also a world’s first, winning multiple industry awards, including the coveted ‘Most Innovative New Product Award at the Sweets and Snacks Expo organized by the National Confectionary Association. The gummies can be enjoyed straight from the package, or paired with ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, puddings, or a favorite dessert.    

Founder Mika Shino invented the Mochi Gummies in her kitchen, baking them for her children who love chewy candies. Dismayed by the kind of candies in the market, Shino was determined to create a better alternative for snacking for her family. Inspired by her Japanese roots, she reinvented the mochi cakes into something that her kids could enjoy on the go. 

Issei Mochi Gummies fully embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based treat with centuries of history and often consumed during sacred ceremonies, celebrations, gatherings and expressions of gratitude. The company redefines snacking, offering unparalleled texture and junk-free ingredients. purity as one of the cleanest snacks ever developed. Suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, these gummies are meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of dietary inclusivity.  

Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate better food options for a happier, healthier life, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious snacks that align with their values. The term “Issei” means ‘first generation Japanese immigrants in the U.S.’ — symbolizing the earnest hope of immigrants who bring the best of their heritage to their newfound home.  Issei is dedicated to infusing diversity and inclusion into the food sector, building bridges across cultures through the universal language of food. Shino, is a first-generation Japanese entrepreneur and mother who brings a wealth of experience from her leadership roles in the culture, music and diplomacy space, having served as a United Nations Program Specialist, CEO, COO, producer, and advisor for tech firms, private companies and celebrities. Shino also attended Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris and published a cookbook ‘Smart Bites for Baby’ (Perseus Press, 2011). Together with a strong team of experts, Issei has established itself as the premium, natural snack brand of the future. With innovation at the forefront, Issei is bringing incremental growth to the candy category and has introduced an entirely new category of gummies to the market. Issei has an aggressive growth strategy with multiple fist-to-market product lines in development. 

Issei Mochi Gummies Awards

2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo Most Innovative New Product Award - Small Business Innovator  

2024 Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founders Issue (Cover of Magazine Mika Shino +  Ranked at #2 on the 200 female founder list 

2024  Success Magazine’s 2024 Women of Influence Award-  Mika Shino

2024  FoodBev Media’s World Food Innovation Best Confectionary Product Award

2024 TasteTV’s Best New Chewy Snack Award

2023 TasteTV’s Best New Packaging and Best Texture Awards

2023  Stevie Award for the Best Fest Female Entrepreneur - Mika Shino

2023 Nominated:  Nosh’s Most Innovative New Product and Best of 2023 Awards

2023  Finalist as Best New Sweet Snack 2023 for the Nexty Awards at ExpoWest

About Issei Mochi Gummies 

Established in 2022 by first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based confection with centuries of history. Issei Mochi Gummies redefines snacking, empowering Asian heritage with innovation, creating the world’s first shelf stable mochi candies, offering unparalleled texture together with natural, subtle flavors and colors. . Suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, these gummies are meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of dietary inclusivity. It is shelf-stable, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to non-GMOs, and free of animal-derived gelatin, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.  The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies are readily accessible nationwide and also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, Middle East, and on Amazon.  Available flavors include Strawberry, Mango, Sour Watermelon, Tangerine, Yuzu and Peach.  Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate better food options for a happier, healthier life, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious snacks that align with their values.

Media Contact:

For Issei Mochi Gummies  / Kerri Brusca   kerri@mochigummies.com

Media Assets + Information:  https://mochigummies.com/pages/media-resources#