Discovering Good & Gather’s Delicious Offerings
As a long-time granola lover, I’m always on the hunt for new brands and flavors to try. Granola is one of my favorite breakfasts – whether enjoyed with milk or yogurt, as a topping for fruit, or just eaten by the handful as a satisfying snack. So when I learned about Target’s new Good And Gather granola range, I was instantly intrigued.
I headed to my local Target store and was impressed by the wide selection of Good & Gather granolas available. There were interesting flavors like Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel Pecan, and Banana Bread. I was happy to see gluten-free and organic options too. As I stood staring at the shelves trying to decide which ones to try first, I realized this called for a full-blown taste test challenge!
Over the next few weeks, I worked my way through the Good & Gather granola lineup, evaluating taste, texture, ingredients, and overall enjoyment. Here’s a run-down of my granola journey and thoughts on Target’s own brand of this breakfast staple.
Flavors Galore
One thing that really impressed me about Good & Gather was the diverse flavor range offered. There are classic granola flavors like oats and honey, but also more indulgent variations perfect for a treat.
The Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate granola quickly became a favorite morning snack. The sweet and salty peanut butter pairs perfectly with rich dark chocolate chunks. I loved the crunch from the almonds and peanuts too. It has a great balance of textures – some chewy dried fruit bits, crunchy nuts and oats, and smooth melted chocolate.
For a comforting dessert-like granola, Salted Caramel Pecan is a winner. It’s packed with toasted pecans and drizzled in gooey salted caramel. Every bite makes you crave a glass of cold milk! I also occasionally enjoyed it sprinkled on top of a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an upgraded sundae experience.
If you love banana bread, then you need to try the Banana Bread granola. Real banana puree gives it an amazing flavor that tastes just like the real deal straight from the oven. The walnuts and oats provide the perfect crunch to contrast the soft banana bread base. This quickly became a goto breakfast to start my day feeling satisfied.
Beyond these gourmet flavors, the Good & Gather range also includes family-friendly options. The Oats & Honey granola is simple but delicious, made with 100% whole grain oats and touched with honey and vanilla. It’s perfect if you like a lighter, less sweet granola. The Fruit & Nut Trail Mix flavor infuses crunchy almonds, cashews, and pecans with sweet dried cranberries, raisins, and apricots.
With so many flavors, Good & Gather granola suits any taste or craving. I loved being able to switch it up each morning. The variety kept it exciting to enjoy this healthy breakfast staple.
Quality Ingredients
What really impressed me about the Good & Gather granola selection was the focus on quality ingredients.
Many granolas load up on sugars and artificial flavors, but Good & Gather granolas primarily use natural ingredients. I appreciated that they weren’t overloaded with added sweeteners. The sweetness mainly comes from real food sources like fruit, honey, maple syrup or vanilla. This makes for a product with better nutritional value in my opinion.
I was also pleased to see that Good & Gather incorporates healthy grains like oats, quinoa, and amaranth into their recipes. This provides important nutrients like fiber, magnesium, protein and iron to fuel your day. The addition of nuts and seeds also boosts the staying power of the granola by providing healthy fats and plant-based protein.
Several varieties focus on superfood ingredients too. The Maple Quinoa Granola has flax, chia and pumpkin seeds for an extra nutrition boost. And the Cacao & Cashew Granola incorporates cacao nibs and cashews which contain beneficial antioxidants.
Overall, the Good & Gather granolas avoid artificial junk and instead satisfy with real food. This brand clearly put thought into creating recipes focused on quality.
Dietary Needs Covered
Another major plus with Good & Gather is the options for various dietary needs and preferences. No matter your requirements, you’ll likely find a granola to suit your needs.
For those avoiding gluten, there are a few dedicated gluten-free choices. The Fruit & Nut Trail Mix and Maple Quinoa Granola varieties are both made without gluten-containing grains. The Dark Chocolate & Nut Blend is also certified gluten-free. It’s helpful when brands make it easy to see which options fit your diet.
Vegans will appreciate the Dark Chocolate & Nut Blend flavor too. By using coconut oil instead of honey, this version avoids animal products. It has a wonderfully rich taste from the combination of coconut flakes, dark chocolate, almonds and pecans.
Looking for something organic? Good & Gather has you covered there as well. Their Simple Granola and Cinnamon Raisin Granola varieties are both USDA Certified Organic. Made with organic oats, honey, oil and spices, these options have clean ingredients perfect for organic fans.
With this range of dietary choices, Good & Gather makes it easy to find a granola for your needs. No matter your food philosophies, you can enjoy starting your day with a bowl of their crunchy goodness.
Crunchy Oaty Goodness
Now let’s get down to the really important factor – the taste and texture! In my opinion, Good & Gather nails it in the enjoyment category.
Their granolas have the perfect crunch from natural oats, nuts, and seeds. The oats bring an earthy, wholesome taste and hearty chew. Usually granola brands skimp on the oats, but not Good & Gather. Their recipes really let the oats shine.
The nuts and seeds blend bring depth, flavor, and a satisfying crispy crunch. With every bite, you get a nutty flavor burst and crunchy texture sensation. This makes it more interesting than granolas that are all just oats.
Good & Gather also masters the art of texture variety in their granola. Within each batch there’s a mix of chewy dried fruits, crunchy nuts, crisp baked oats, and flaky coconut. This dynamic mix ensures every bite satisfies.
And the flavors are always baked to perfection, never tasting underdone or burnt. The granola clusters have the ideal crisp exterior while maintaining chewy and tender insides. Even after adding milk and letting it sit, the texture holds up nicely without turning soggy.
Overall, Good & Gather has nailed the sensory enjoyment of their granola. The taste, crunch and texture will appeal to all granola connoisseurs.
Store Locations and Availability
If you’re craving Good & Gather granola after reading this, you’re in luck! This Target exclusive brand is available across the country at Target stores and online.
I picked up my stash at my local Target in Columbus, Ohio. But I know foodie friends living in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami who have all found Good & Gather granola at their neighborhood Target.
One thing I love is that each Target store carries the full range of Good & Gather granola varieties. It was nice to see the entire selection in one spot instead of a limited assortment. This made it easy to work through tasting the different flavors.
In addition to in-store shopping, you can order Good & Gather granola online through Target.com and have it shipped or use same-day pickup. I like having the flexibility to include it in my Target Drive Up orders for quick and easy restocks.
The brand is still expanding across Target locations, so be sure to check their online product finder to see if it’s carried at your store yet. But based on their growth so far, I’m willing to bet you’ll find Good & Gather on shelves soon if not already.
Cost Analysis
I always want to know – is this new product I’m trying a good value for the cost? Especially with elevated or specialty granolas, the prices can sometimes be questionable. But Good & Gather options provide quality at a reasonable price point.
Most of the Good & Gather granola bags weigh around 24-28 oz and cost $3.99-$4.99. Compared to other natural and specialty granolas, this felt like a fair deal to me. The ingredients and flavors justify the price jump from basic store brand bags.
For reference, conventional granolas usually cost $2-3 for less weight. So you do pay a small premium for the Good & Gather name, but I think it’s worthwhile. The quality outweighs the minor cost increase in my opinion.
I also appreciated that the bag sizes were generous. Each bag lasted me about 2 weeks eating granola 3-4 times per week. I never felt like I didn’t get enough granola for the money spent.
Considering the unique recipes and ingredients, I think Good & Gather granola provides solid value. The prices stay reasonable for what you receive. Of course, value is subjective. But in my book, I’m happy to pay a little extra for quality that I can feel good about.
Nutrition Profile
Whenever I try new foods, I always turn to the nutrition label to see what I’m really putting in my body. I aim to fuel myself with foods that provide nutritional benefits rather than empty calories. So how does Good & Gather granola measure up?
Overall, I’m pleased with the nutrition stats on these granolas. The calorie counts range from 110-180 calories per 1/4 cup serving. This aligns with other comparable granolas in the category.
Importantly, Good & Gather achieves these calorie counts primarily through food – like oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. You won’t find corn syrups, maltodextrin, or other fillers used to bulk up the volume. The main sweetener used is honey or maple syrup. This is a big win in my book!
I also appreciate that each serving provides 3-4 grams of protein and 3-5 grams of fiber. This will help you stay fuller and energized throughout your morning. Especially combined with dairy or yogurt, you’re set up with a balanced breakfast.
Now granola isn’t the lowest calorie breakfast option out there. But it does give you lasting energy thanks to smart ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds. So I don’t mind the extra calories in exchange for feeling powered up until lunchtime.
As with any food, moderation is key. Stick with the suggested serving size to keep calories in check. Or reduce your portion if combining with milk or yogurt which also contribute calories. But when eaten mindfully, Good & Gather granola can be part of a healthy diet.
Customer Reviews
I like to know what real customers think before trying a new product. And fortunately, Good & Gather granola reviews are overwhelmingly positive. On Target’s website, nearly all the granola flavors have 4 stars or higher. People seem genuinely impressed with this new pantry find.
Positive reviews highlight the great taste, variety of flavors, and quality ingredients. Customers love the unique flavor combinations that set Good & Gather apart from other generic store brand granolas. The banana bread flavor is an oft-mentioned favorite.
Many reviews mention enjoying Good & Gather granola with yogurt or milk for breakfast. Others get creative using it in recipes like snack bars and granola parfaits for dessert. Some sprinkle it on top of oatmeal or ice cream too for extra texture and crunch.
Critical reviews are few and far between. The main complaints are when a bag contains too many crumbles at the bottom that are hard to scoop out. Some feel the peanut butter flavor isn’t prominent enough in that variety. And a few wish the bags were resealable to maintain freshness between servings.
But overall, more than 90% of reviews rate Good & Gather granola positively. For a new brand, those are great stats that speak to product quality. Based on customer opinions, Good & Gather seems to have released a solid line of granolas worth your consideration.
How It Compares
So how does Good & Gather stack up against the long-loved granola brands out there? I compared it side-by-side with some established competitors. Here’s how it fared in my book:
Texture: On par with Nature Valley and Kind granola. Good & Gather has a satisfying crunch and crispy oats.
Flavor: More interesting flavors than Nature Valley granola. More natural taste than Kind’s intense sweetness.
Ingredients: Better than Quaker which uses more fillers. Not as wholesome as Bear Naked’s minimal ingredients.
Nutrition: Aligns with Nature Valley and Quaker in calories, protein and sugar.
Price: Good value for the quality compared to Name Brands. More affordable than Bear Naked or Kind granolas.
Convenience: Widely available at Target nationwide. Resealable bags would improve convenience.
Overall, Good & Gather granola holds its own against the legacy brands. I’d choose it over Quaker or Nature Valley based on ingredients and flavor. And it offers better value than Bear Naked or Kind. The availability at my local Target also makes it super convenient.
Good & Gather has cracked the code on yummy granola made with quality ingredients at reasonable prices. That’s an appealing combination that suits my needs!
Freshness and Storage
I always aim to maintain the freshness of my pantry staples like granola. Staling is no fun! Here are my tips for storing Good & Gather granola:
Because the bags aren’t resealable, I transfer any unused granola into airtight containers. This prevents it from getting stale between snacks. I use glass storage jars or food storage bags to keep air out.
To maximize crispness, storing at room temperature is ideal. The cool and dry environment prevents sogginess. So I keep my granola jars in my pantry away from heat sources or sunlight.
If you live in a humid climate, refrigeration may help resist staleness. Just let the granola come back to room temp before eating for best texture. Freezing is another long-term option, again allowing it to thaw before eating.
Properly stored, Good & Gather granola maintains its yummy freshness for a few weeks. You’ll know it’s past peak when it loses crunch. Time to toss it if the oats start tasting limp! With proper storage handling though, you can do your part to extend the shelf life.
Creative Recipe Ideas
While I often enjoy Good & Gather granola straight from the bowl with milk, it lends itself to so many other applications too! Here are some of my favorite ways to incorporate it:
- Sprinkled over yogurt, especially vanilla or coconut yogurt varieties
- Layered in a parfait glass with Greek yogurt and fresh berries
- Mixed into cookie or muffin batters, like oatmeal cookies
- Topping for fruit crumbles, crisps and cobblers
- Fold into trail mix with dried fruit and nuts
- Crumble over ice cream instead of nuts or cookies
- Use as crust on the bottom of tarts or cheesecakes
- Bake into homemade granola bars with dried fruit and nuts
- Coat protein bars or balls before chilling to add crunch
- Top pancakes, waffles or French toast instead of syrup
- Fold into overnight oats or chia pudding recipes
- Dust over pie fillings like apple, peach, or pumpkin pie
The options are endless! Good & Gather granola works wonderfully folded into all kinds of baked goods. Its crunchy texture makes a fabulous topping too. Get creative with ways to enjoy this versatile pantry staple.
Is Good & Gather Granola Worth It?
If you couldn’t already tell by my glowing review, I’m a big fan of the new Good & Gather granolas! I highly recommend giving these a taste if you want yummy granola made with quality ingredients.
The diverse flavors satisfy any craving, whether you like sweet indulgent or healthy wholesome options. You really can’t go wrong choosing based on your personal preferences.
I think Good & Gather delivers great taste and nutrition at reasonable prices. It holds up against the mainstream brands while offering unique recipes you won’t find elsewhere. And Target makes it easy to find locally and order online.
For a quick, filling, on-the-go breakfast, Good & Gather granola is a winner in my book. The crunchy, satisfying recipes energize me for my day. I always look forward to enjoying a bowl thanks to the delicious flavors.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend trying Good & Gather’s granola selection on your next Target run. This new lineup lives up to the quality promised by the brand name. Their granola has officially won me over as a lifelong fan!
So next time you’re shopping for this breakfast staple, skip the boring basics and reach for Good & Gather. Your mornings will thank you! Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go enjoy a bowl of their incredible Banana Bread granola.