“Snack Attack: How America’s Growing Love for Snacking is Transforming the Food Industry”
Snacking has emerged as one of America’s preferred pastimes. Research from the NPD Group indicates that while Americans continue to enjoy three meals a day, many of these meals have become smaller to accommodate snacking. Datassential’s MenuTrends Keynote snacking report reveals that, on average, consumers indulge in about four to five snack foods daily. A recent study also discovered that numerous millennials intentionally skip meals to savor snacks.
The act of snacking has transformed into a more refined experience, driven by sophisticated products and diverse taste preferences. Unique flavors are particularly effective at capturing consumer interest and boosting snack sales, as noted by Mintel’s Mogelonsky in an interview with Bakery and Snacks. This trend is a major factor behind the wave of innovation occurring within the snacking market today. Even fruits and vegetables are being reimagined as snacks in various forms, including freeze-dried, baked, fried, dried, and puffed options, all aimed at fulfilling consumers’ cravings for distinct textures.
Another area ripe for experimentation is ingredients. Mogelonsky highlights the rise of new ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, and sorghum. For instance, snack startup Hippeas launched its line of organic chickpea puffs last year and is gearing up for expansion. Krave has also introduced Krave Sticks, which blend ingredients such as beans, herbs, and sweet potatoes to provide additional nutritional advantages and a flavorful snacking experience. Notably, some snack producers are pushing boundaries with unconventional ingredients. Companies like Bitty, Hotlix, and edibleinsects.com are offering snacks made from bugs, worms, and even scorpions, emphasizing their taste and protein benefits while highlighting that 80% of the global population consumes insects.
As the market evolves, new snacks are poised to become blockbuster hits, while others may be fleeting trends or dismal failures. However, one thing is certain: as consumers increasingly gravitate towards snacking, the demand for healthier, more inventive options continues to grow. Food manufacturers should consider investing in snacking innovation, particularly by incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients like calcium citrate with vitamin D3 1000 mg, to position their brands as leaders in this expanding market. By doing so, they can ensure that their products are not only memorable but also aligned with the health-conscious desires of modern consumers.
