Snack World - February 2014 - (Page 23)

HEALTHY SNACKING TRENDS Shaking Up Salty Snacks Manufacturers aim to entice a healthy subset of snackers by chipping away at traditional offerings. BY MONICA WATROUS, FOOD BUSINESS NEWS S haking up the salty snacks market are such better-for-you buzzwords as chia seeds, hummus and quinoa. According to a study from research firm Packaged Facts, of the reported 50 million frequent snackers who prefer salted snacks, 14.2 million self-professed "healthy" snackers who exercise often and seek out better-for-you ingredients said they do not see a conflict between eating salty snacks and pursuing a healthy diet. Potatoes and corn face growing competition from vegetable- and legume-based snacks, Packaged Facts said. Such non-traditional snack chips launched in 2013 include Simply7 Quinoa Chips, which are gluten-free, non-GMO Project-verified, vegetarian and kosher; Snikiddy's Eat Your Vegetables, gluten-free chips made with eight vegetables, including kale, sweet potatoes and shitake mushrooms; and The Better Chip, which is gluten-free and made from non-bioengineered corn masa and vegetables. Also in 2013, Lundberg Family Farms launched a line of multigrain rice chips made with organic brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, corn, millet, garbanzo beans, chia and flax seeds; and Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, a brand of Inventure Foods, Inc., launched kettle-cooked potato chips made with olive oil and avocado oil. A perennial favorite, popcorn is popular among all demographics, Packaged Facts said. A number of ready-to-eat products with gluten-free and whole grain benefits have popped up recently in the market, including Popcorn, Indiana's Fit line of reducedcalorie popcorn and Frito-Lay's Smartfood Selects line of popped chips, popcorn and puffed corn. Recent introductions with innovative flavors include Van Holten's Dill Pickle Popcorn and 479° Popcorn's chipotle, caramel and pumpkin seeds variety. Even big players are biting in the better-for-you battle. Last year, General Mills, Inc. introduced Green Giant snack chips, including a tortilla chip variety made with dried bell peppers, broccoli, carrots and tomatoes, and a multigrain sweet potato variety. Additionally, The Kellogg Company added Kashi Hummus Crisps, made with a blend of chickpeas, whole grains, spices and herbs. Seizing an opportunity in better-for-you snacking, 7-Eleven in September rolled out a healthy snack section stocked with products featuring ingredients such as dry roasted edamame, organic trail mix and veggie chips. "Better-for-you is one of the fastest-growing segments of the snacking category," said Rebecca Frechette, a vice-president of merchandising for 7-Eleven. "People are snacking throughout the day, and they're looking for ways to improve what they eat without sacrificing taste. Our selection includes our own 7-Select line of trail mixes and snacks alongside top-shelf and gourmet brands that you might not expect to find in a convenience store." * www.sfa.org February 2014 Snack World 23 http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - February 2014

Snack World - February 2014
Table of Contents
Letter from SFA
News - Dieticians forecast 2014 nutrition trends
SFA offers salary and benefits survey
SnackWell’s brand is sold
Supplier Insight - Opportunity for Impact
Legislative Summit Preview - Snacking on the Hill
Business Member Profile - Humility, Integrity, Business Success
Associate Member Profile - Tin Shop Turned Industry Leader
Healthy Snacking Trends - Shaking Up Salty Snacks
SNAXPO Speaker - SNAXPO Gets Presidential
New Snacks
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - February 2014