Consumers prefer healthier options

Americans are snacking more than ever.



According to a recent consumer survey, nearly half of people across the country skip at least three traditional meals every week in favor of so-called “munchies.”

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As a result, the snack foods found in the nation’s drug stores have slowly been getting a makeover with suppliers putting greater emphasis on health and convenience.



“As the world’s largest snack company, we know we have a critical role to play in empowering consumers to snack mindfully,” said Diane Striegel, senior manager of industry development for Mondelēz International, the producer of more than 40 snack and confectionary brands, including Nabisco, belVita and Cadbury.



“Our approach is to create foods that fit the way people eat today — to bring joy to those small-eating moments,” she said. “The balance of foods and nutrients within the overall diet, along with adopting a healthy lifestyle, is important for well-being.”



According to the market researchers, snacking is a $146 billion-a-year business and is growing at nearly 4% annually. With the average person snacking three times a day, the industry is helping to address the country’s changing eating habits.



Larry Lupo, Mars Chocolate North America’s VP of sales for the grocery, convenience and drug channels, said consumers are demanding more from snack foods than ever before. For snacks to succeed today, they need to be healthier than traditional snacks and must provide portability, convenience and portion control.



“Our product innovations are driven by shopper insights, and we’re expanding our portfolio to include a range of innovative snacking options,” he said.



Mars is among several snack food suppliers that are bringing a slew of new products to the category to address these new preferences. For instance, Lupo noted, after testing its Goodnessknows snack squares in several markets over the past few years, the company is rolling out the line nationwide. Made with whole nuts, real fruits, toasted oats and dark chocolate, the latest entry into the snack bar segment contains 150 calories per bar and is available in three flavors — cranberry almond, apple almond and peanut, and peach and cherry almond.



Similarly, Hershey Co. debuted a snack bar under its Brookside brand this spring. Hershey’s stated its Brookside bars are made from real fruit, contain no artificial flavors, and provide a good source of vitamins A, C and E.



Market researchers say the rollout of the newest crop of healthy snacks is being driven by consumers across the demographic spectrum. According to a recent report from the NPD Group, the types of snacks consumers of all ages prefer has not changed that much in recent years. What has changed, according to NPD, is the way shoppers look at these products.



“Salty, sweet, high, low, or no calories are all contenders for attention, as long as they have a perceived health benefit,” the report notes.



“Snacking today is a prevalent behavior and there is an opportunity in every snack category,” NPD food and beverage industry analyst Darren Seifer said.