Snacks: Convenience is King
Snack food companies are looking for ways to capitalize on the consumer’s need for convenience, even as they seek to respond to increased concern about nutrition and health.
That view was presented Friday during the AWMA REAL DEAL EXPO by Snack Food Association (SFA) President & CEO Jim McCarthy, who told attendees that many products, not previously considered snacks, are now being extended in order to capture snack food sales.
"The lines are blurring," McCarthy said. "People are looking for something to just open and eat." As a result, the snack food industry is seeking to find ways "to get snacking to be considered a meal occasion rather than a snacking occasion."
At the same time, "Nutrition is key," the SFA executive said. "It has affected the way we manufacture, market and label our products."
In fact, the increased emphasis on whole grains has led the industry to develop snack products—pretzels for example—that help meet the daily whole grain recommendations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, McCarthy pointed out. "The snack industry is perfectly situated to take advantage of this. Nutrition is really driving the new categories that are coming out."
In addition, new flavor "profiles," such as those designed to satisfy various ethnic tastes are being developed, generating excitement and sales growth, McCarthy said.
The SFA president acknowledged that direct store delivery is an important function for many snack food manufacturers, but he said many SFA members also rely upon warehouse delivery. "That has been very important as well," he said.
