SunChips® Celebrates Solar Event with Exclusive Eclipse Inspired Flavor Release and Partnership with Astronaut Kellie Gerardi

The heliocentric brand will give away an exclusive flavor during the 4 minute and 27 second eclipse and share messages from the sun in wheat fields along the eclipse's path 

PLANO, Texas, March 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the country prepares for the highly anticipated solar eclipse, SunChips^® is stepping into the spotlight. The snack brand is championing the inspiration behind its name – the sun – through a limited-edition offering, which will only be given away during the 4 minutes and 27 seconds of the solar eclipse's duration of totality. In partnership with astronaut and researcher Kellie Gerardi – who has literally gone to space –, SunChips invites fans to experience a cosmic collaboration in the sky and on their tastebuds with an exclusive, new flavor mash-up – SunChips^® Solar Eclipse Limited-Edition Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda.

Pineapple Habanero and Black Bean Spicy Gouda blends ingredients reminiscent of sunny skies and bright days ahead while nodding to the moon with a cheesy touch. Beginning at 1:33 p.m. CT on April 8, as the eclipse casts its shadow over U.S. soil, eager fans can get their hands on the new flavor at SunChipsSolarEclipse.com, while supplies last.

"SunChips draws inspiration from the sun so there's no better moment to spotlight this snack than during the extraordinary solar eclipse," says Rhasheda Boyd, vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay. "With this exclusive flavor drop, fans who enter for a chance to win their own bag during the moment of totality will have the opportunity to continue celebrating the eclipse even after the rare event is over."

For even more eclipse enjoyment, SunChips has partnered with Kellie Gerardi, an astronaut and parent who is regarded for bringing space down to Earth by making sometimes complicated concepts approachable and fun.  

"As a researcher and astronaut with a love for all things space, I can't wait to celebrate this exciting event with SunChips," says Gerardi. "Total solar eclipses are rare and special events, and I hope people can take a moment out of their busy lives to pause and enjoy the incredible sight. That's why I'm so excited that SunChips is commemorating this rare celestial event by offering fans a chance to get in on the fun with their exclusive Solar Eclipse flavors."

While the sun's light may be temporarily overshadowed by the moon, SunChips will ensure that it won't be in the background for long. SunChips is going beyond the snack aisle to show support for the sun by carving out playful messages directed at the moon in wheat fields along the path of totality. In support of PepsiCo's pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) ambition, SunChips will donate $50,000 to the PepsiCo Foundation's Food for Good U.S. social enterprise which delivers nutritious meals daily for youth in learning environments including school, after-school and summer programs. This donation underscores the brand's dedication to support diverse ingredients and access to whole grain snacks, which will be included in more than 200,000 future meals delivered by Food for Good.  For more information about Food for Good, visit https://www.pepsicofoodforgood.com/join-forces.

Fans can join SunChips and Kellie Gerardi in celebration of the awe-inspiring solar eclipse by visiting SunChipsSolarEclipse.com and following the fun on Instagram, TikTok,  X and Facebook.

About Frito-Lay North America
Frito-Lay North America is the $25 billion net sales convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP). For decades, Frito-Lay's portfolio of beloved products has brought smiles to millions of families across the world, including Fritos^® corn chips, Lay's^® and Ruffles^® potato chips, Doritos^® and Tostitos^® tortilla chips and branded dips, Cheetos^® snacks, Stacy's^® pita chips, PopCorners^® air popped snacks and SunChips^® multigrain snacks. The company operates more than 40 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, along with a vast distribution network that services over 315,000 retail customers weekly through its direct-store-delivery model. Through pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), Frito-Lay is committed to creating positive change for the planet and people. Learn more about Frito-Lay at FritoLay.com, on X (@FritoLay), on Instagram (@FritoLay) and on Facebook (FritoLay).

About PepsiCo 
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. 

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo. 

About the PepsiCo Foundation 

The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and work—collaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com.      

SOURCE Frito-Lay North America