As evidenced by the key factors influencing parents’ snack choices for their children, per chart below, parents are more focused on promoting overall healthy eating habits —including portion control and consumption of foods and beverages offering nutrients —than on choosing foods and beverages with traditional weight management benefits.

Further, there is major growth potential among nutritious products that appeal to children. Several manufacturers and retailers are already tapping into this potential. For example, Disney Consumer Products has launched Disney Garden, a new character-themed fruit and veggie snack line for kids. Kroger exclusively offers Disney Magic Selections, a multi-category line including healthy foods and beverages, which contain a “thumbs-up” indicator on package fronts to highlight healthy options.

Leading retailers are also offering nutrition education. Wegmans, for instance, offers “Veggie Patch” classes for children to teach them to make healthy choices.

Source: IRI Consumer Snacking Study 2007