SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020 - 14

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

bold can mean sour, not just hot, such as with Lay's
Kettle Cooked Flamin' Hot Potato Chips and Blue
Diamond Almonds Bold Spicy Dill Pickle," said Tom
Vierhile, vice president, strategic insights, North
America, Innova Market Insights.
Americans continually seek global and regional
flavors driven by the multicultural nature of the
United States, social media and exposure to foods
from around the world in restaurants, food trucks
and other venues, according to Packaged Facts. As
restaurant access remains limited and uncertainty
persists, many consumers will continue eating at
home. This creates an opportunity for producers
to offer unique at-home foodie experiences
using snack flavors inspired by food favorites on
restaurant menus.
Utz's Inventure brand introduced New TGI Fridays
Zesty Party Sticks and TGI Fridays Buffalo Blue Pub
Bites, a popped potato snack that mimics the flavor
and shape of buffalo chicken wings. The potato
sticks are flavored with the TGI Fridays Restaurant's
Signature Seasoning.
"Health will be an important product attribute
for consumers; a pandemic brings health to the
forefront," Mr. Gunzburg said.
"Of course, immune-boosting claims have a
more direct tie to fending off sickness, more general
health claims are impactful to consumers as well."
High-protein snacks are appealing, but
consumers are more interested in protein
from alternative sources. Fiber, whole grains

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SNAC WORLD 2020

and plant-based protein remain at the top of
desired functional ingredients, according to
the International Food Information Council
Foundation's 2019 Food and Health Survey. Less
sugar in foods is also important to consumers.
Value will be at the center of snack choices
due to financial uncertainty. However, value
means different things for different people; it's
not just about cost. Despite economic concerns,
consumers will not completely give up foods that
fulfill their snacking needs. They will purchase
snacks that are healthy and nutritious but also a
fun treat for their families.
"The desire to 'treat yourself' drives demand for
premium snacks making them a long-term trend,"
said Mark Singleton, vice president of sales and
marketing, Rudolph Foods, Dallas. "Producers
would do well to innovate with premium snack lines
because customers will emerge from their homes
excited to buy the snacks they love."
Private label snacks have done well in the months
since March, perhaps because they provide quality
snacks that cost less. Private label trends focus on
the expansion of upscale products using unique
flavors, with quality ingredients and packaging that
compete in the premium segment at a lower price,
according Packaged Facts.
Packaging decisions are vital, and producers
must consider - and understand - consumer
needs. Shopping preferences can help
manufacturers design products that better connect
SNAC World - Official State of the Industry 2020

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