Enercheez is a delicious snacking product that’s sold in select markets for a little more than seven years now, and they are finally hitting grocery stores! I discovered them over the weekend while at Thrifty’s Foods. And after doing some online fact checking, it seems they are more popular as a dried food product to take along for those camping expeditions. I assume that’s how they were sold when it came to market in 2017.

This cheese snack is made by Mountain Munchies, a family-owned company based out of Nelson, British Columbia. According to CEO Bruce Burgener, who said to Expert Navigator, “With the U.S. so close, it always seemed like the best market to access, however with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) there are other options and other countries excited to bring in Canadian products.” 

He’s very hopeful that his small business will hit these new markets, and only time will tell if it’ll grow to what he’s envisioned. The biggest hurdle will be in selling the product at a reasonable price that’s attractive to the frugal gourmet and average consumer. At $8 (CAD), approximately 70 grams of dried cheese is offered. For that price, a bag of jerky is cheaper, and there’s about 80 grams and more protein usually priced at $6.50, if not less. And for those who shop at Costo, better deals can be found.

As a product with no artificial flavours or additives, I can support what they’re charging with some caveats. It’s a product that’s more like a treat for special occasions than to regularly keep a stock of. While I’m game to carry a bag or two as rations to fill up on while waiting in line at a pop culture convention, they’re not an essential product.

Enercheez has a satisfying crunch to them, and I can eat an entire bag up in one sitting! However, that’s not how they’re meant to be consumed. One or two tater tot sized bites is probably enough to tide one over, but as a snacking food, one bag is never enough! And with flavour choices like Poutine, cheddar & hot pepper (it has a modest kick to it, and I’d get more in an instant), onion & chives and garlic (perhaps most second favourite), the salad dressing gambit front is well covered. That’s about the only way to extend the life and use of a single bag.

As much as I’d like to see this product sold at a lower price point, it’s not likely to happen. What really needs to be done is to offer a larger package with some volume discount. That’s about the only way I can see this operation truly succeeding when competing in a global marketplace.

3½ Blokes out of 5