What You Can Expect From The Snack Food Industry

healthy snack foods

The United States is the largest world market for snack foods, consuming roughly a third of the total supply. The American snack food industry consists of more than 1,200 companies operating 1,465 plants and using over $11 billion worth of ingredients each year. From 2001-2006, snacking increased by 1.5% and skyrocketed another 4% just in the last year. "Consumers are serious about these 'meals' being healthy. Simultaneously, manufacturers are serious about meeting consumer, watchdog and governmental demands to make snacks more nutritious, particularly those aimed at kids," says Don Montuori from Packaged Facts market research company.

It's surprising to some that snack food industries have skyrocketed during a time of recession, especially when snack food prices have increased anywhere from 4-11% over the last year, due to increased energy and commodity costs. However, consumers are flocking to Wal-Mart for their fair-priced trail mixes and coated snacks. For the most part, weight management and nutrition headlines are driving consumer interest and demand for healthy snack foods, with 62% of consumers saying they eat foods to prevent or manage health conditions and 42% are seeking snacks with health benefits. Yet industry leaders add that the more indulgent treats still comprise two-thirds of all sales.

Sam's Club has been a leader in the snack food industry by aligning themselves with environmentally friendly and healthy foods manufacturers. "We will favor suppliers that meet our standards for sustainability," explains Heather Mayo, VP of merchandising. She said consumers want healthy snacks, energy boosters, portion-control sizes, on-the-go products and increased levels of social responsibility. "Consumers are more educated than ever," she added.

Additionally, there has been a snack food industry evolution as far as ingredients go. On everyone's mind at this year's SNAXPO (snack exposition), they discussed how to lower trans fats and alter plant genetics to improve the nutrition and flavor of their food snacks. Mary LaGuardia, an omega-9 oils market manager for Dow AgroSciences, explained the concept of thoughtful plant breeding. "We have gotten rid of trans with low levels of saturated fat without sacrificing stability, flavor and shelf life," she said. Soybean oil can reduce trans and saturated fats, as well as produce omega 3 fatty acids. Many of these techniques will revolutionize the industry in the coming years as we shift toward a more health-conscious society.