Snack World - May 1, 2011 - (Page 31)

This growth pattern will continue through at least 2015, according to Mintel. Other snack producers rely on flavor, size and texture to differentiate their cheese snacks from the category’s leader. Shearer’s Foods, Brewster, OH, produces its Krazi Kurls cheese snacks, which Jeff Binczk, vice-president, marketing, described as having a distinctive product profile. “When you put it in your mouth, rather than being very crunchy, it is the type of product that melts in your mouth. It has a unique flavor profile that has proved very popular with consumers,” Mr. Binczk explained. Utz Quality Foods, Hanover, PA, produces a line of cheese curl products targeted to today’s often price-sensitive consumers, according to Alec Sivel, vice-president, marketing. “Utz has priced it at a little lower price point than other snack foods, and I think this is why it has picked up, sales-wise,” she explained. Ms. Sivel added that innovation can run rampant within the cheese snacks category since there are many different ways to cut and shape them. Meanwhile, Inventure Foods, Inc., Phoenix, AZ, launched a new cheese snack in its TGI Friday’s line called Jalapeño Cheddar Crunchy Cheddar Bites. These bites feature a combination of cheddar cheese and jalapeno pepper. Steven Sklar, senior vice-president, marketing, said that the Crunchy Cheddar Bites are another classic example of how snack manufacturers like Inventure Foods rely on new product innovation — in this case, building on the success of TGI Friday’s restaurants — to broaden the breadth of its brand. “This new product is doing well for us,” Mr. Sklar noted. — Susan Malovany PORK RINDS Still on a Fast Track Pork rinds remain one of the fastest-growing segments in the salted snack industry, despite the fact that overall snack sales have softened this year after several years of robust growth. The pork rind category is up this year in both C-store and grocery sales, with the higher percentage of growth coming from grocery, noted Mark Singleton, vice-president, sales and marketing, Rudolph Foods Co., Inc., Lima, OH. While SymphonyIRI scanning data capture sales at supermarkets and other large retailers, the firm doesn’t report on sales in the convenience store and other distribution channels where a large portion of pork rinds are sold. “The increasing size of the Hispanic population continues to drive growth of pork rinds,” Mr. Singleton noted. “This growth is no longer clustered along the border with Mexico but is instead in Chi- cago and the agricultural jobs centers in the Midwest and Southeast. Pockets of growth are also in the major Northeastern cities.” Specifically, Mr. Singleton said, Rudolph Foods has seen growth double over the past 12 weeks, and it expects a 5% category growth this year as the economy steadies and job growth continues. “We believe we have millions of potential consumers to be gained through trial and education, and we also have the fastest-growing segment of the population, Hispanics, as our No. 1 consumer,” he observed. Growth in this category also has been driven by a bevy of new product introductions. “We continue to stretch the category by offering new forms, textures and flavors of pork rinds such as our company’s new Colossal Crackling,” Mr. Singleton said. “This new item has really done well since its launch. Two of our best new flavors are Chili Limon and Sweet BBQ.” Snack World May 2011 www.sfa.org 31 http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - May 1, 2011

Snack World - May 1, 2011
Contents
Letter from SFA - Progress and Advocacy
Supplier’s Corner - Onward and Upward
Government Affairs - SFA on the March
Government Affairs - Change Ahead
State of the Industry Report - Brands are Back
For More Research on Snacks
Natural Chips Reign Supreme
Top Potato Chip Brands
TORTILLA CHIPS - Tackling Hot Trends
PRETZELS - Healthy and Beyond
SNACK CRACKERS - The More Healthful Snack
Top Pretzel Brands
Top Snack Cracker Brands
COOKIES - Decadently Healthy
CORN SNACKS - The Scoop on Corn Chips
Top Corn Snack Brands
SNACK NUTS & SEEDS - Investing in Innovation
Top Nut, Seed and Corn Nut Brands
CHEESE SNACKS - Say Cheese to New Snacks
Top Cheese Snack Brands
PORK RINDS - Still on a Fast Track
Top Pork Rind Brands
MEAT SNACKS - Meating High Expectations
Top Meat Snack Brands
READY-TO-EAT POPCORN - Expanding Indulgence
Top RTE Popc orn/Caramel C orn Brands
MICROWAVE POPCORN - Convenience and Health
OTHER SALTED SNACKS - Catch-all Segment Builds With Variety
Top Microwave Popcorn Brands
Top Other Salted Snack Brands
SALSA AND DIPS - Salsa Dips, Dips Rise
Top Salsa and Dip Brands
Innovative and Educational …
Earl Wise Sr. Enters Circle of Honor
Overheard at SnaxPro
Get Ready for SNAXPO 2012: Celebrating 75 Years
New Snacks
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - May 1, 2011