New York, NY - June 3, 2024 – Issei Mochi Gummies, the first all natural mochi candy brand, is introducing the all new ”Rainbow Pack,” a vibrant celebration of love and acceptance through all six mochi gummy delicious flavors (Strawberry, Mango, Vanilla, Tangerine, Sour Watermelon, and Yuzu). As a purpose-driven candy company aiming to push for diversity and inclusion in all sectors, Issei Mochi Gummies proudly stands with the LGBTQ+ community. The Rainbow Pack is a new staple product offering for Issei Mochi Gummies available on the website at Amazon.com. Customers can receive a special discount for all Rainbow Pack website orders in June with Code: PRIDE15
Issei Mochi Gummies founder and CEO Mika Shino adds, “A single color alone cannot capture the wonder, beauty, and awe of a rainbow, which universally inspires a deep sense of amazement. The greater the diversity of colors, voices, textures, and flavors in the world, the more joyful our lives become. From the vibrant hues of the spectrum to the delightful variety of flavors in our candies, we celebrate the unique essence of every individual.”
In the latest 24 Weeks, Issei Mochi Gummies is the fastest growing non-chocolate candy brand in the US Natural Channel (Source: SPINS; Total US - Natural Expanded Channel; Shelf-Stable Non-Chocolate Candy; Latest 24 Weeks, PE 04.21.2024). Founded in 2022 by first-generation Japanese American entrepreneur, Mika Shino, the award winning Issei Mochi Gummies physical retail presence has multiplied over tenfold, now spanning over 2,000 locations nationwide across multiple retailers including Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Raley's, Hy-Vee, The World Bank, Central Market, Albertsons Companies Inc.’s banner stores (Albertsons, Safeway, Shaw's, Star Market, Jewel-Osco, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Vons, Pavilions and Market Street) and more. The company also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, Middle East, and on Amazon.
At the May 2024 Sweets & Snacks, Issei Mochi Gummies also won a 2024 Most Innovative New Product Award. Considered the ‘Oscars of the candy world,’ Issei Mochi Gummies was awarded one of the thirteen coveted awards for Small Business Innovator: Issei – Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mochi Gummies.
Mika Shino was recently on the cover of Inc. Magazine’s April 2024 Female Founders issue highlighting entrepreneurs whose innovations and ideas are shaping the world into a better place. Ranked at #2 on the 200 female founder list of world changing companies, Shino shares the cover with Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan, co-founders of De Soi; Piersten Gaines, founder of Pressed Roots; and Michelle Zatlyn, co-founder of Cloudflare. Read Inc. Issei Mochi Gummy interview here: How Candymaker Mika Shino Survived Sweet but Sudden Success.
Watch the Inc. video interview with MIka Shino here.
Watch Mika on CBS News for AAPI Month.
Issei Mochi Gummies are the world’s first all natural mochi candy brand. The gummies are shelf-stable, vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to all-natural ingredients — devoid of GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. Issei Mochi Gummies have a completely new textural and chewing experience with a soft, 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, Vanilla and YUZU. The gummies can be enjoyed straight from the package, or paired with ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, puddings, or a favorite dessert.
Recognized for its commitment to excellence, Issei Mochi Gummies won TasteTV’s Best New Chewy Snack, Best New Packaging and Best Texture Awards in 2023 and FoodBev Media’s World Food Innovation Best Confectionary Product Award in 2024. The brand was also nominated for Nosh’s Most Innovative New Product Award 2023 as well as Best of 2022 and 2023 Awards, and became a Finalist as Best New Sweet Snack 2023 for the Nexty Awards at ExpoWest. Founder/CEO Mika Shino was also recently recognized by the Stevie Awards for the Best Fest Female Entrepreneur in 2023 and as a finalist for Success Magazine’s 2024 Women of Influence Awards.
Issei Mochi Gummies 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 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.
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, offering unparalleled 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. It is shelf-stable, vegan, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to all-natural ingredients — devoid of GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, and artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors. The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies are readily accessible nationwide at Walmart, Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market Stores, Raley's, Bestie's Vegan Paradise, The World Bank, The Compass Group and Hy-Vee. The company 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 Vanilla, with more to come in 2024. 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
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