Satisfying Sweets & Snacks

Sweet, sour, savory and scores of other flavors tantalized the taste buds of attendees at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, which was held at Chicago’s McCormick Place in May. The show, which is hosted by the National Confectioners Association, set an all-time record in attendance as more than 17,000 industry professionals from more than 90 countries browsed exhibits from more than 750 companies that showcased candy, snacks and other specialty items.

Innovation was the buzzword of the show as many exhibitors unveiled new items to delight and satisfy changing consumer needs in the confectionary and snack categories. Trends in flavor, texture, seasonal items and packaging, among others, were evident on the show floor. Here is an overview of some of the trends and products that companies discussed with attendees at the show:   

Carl Buddig & Co.

“More consumers are snacking and seek more protein and natural snack options,” said Thomas Buddig, executive vice president of Carl Buddig & Co., based in Homewood, Ill. “Carl Buddig’s response to that demand is our Old Wisconsin Natural Cuts.”

The natural hardwood-smoked gluten-free snack bites, sticks and summer sausages adhere to its “natural” name by containing no MSG, binders, fillers or extenders. Additionally, they are free from nitrates, artificial ingredients and preservatives.

Six varieties of Natural Cuts are available:  6-ounce Beef Summer Sausage, 6-ounce Original Summer Sausage, 6-ounce Beef Snack Bites, 6-ounce Turkey Snack Bites, 6-ounce Beef Snack Sticks and 6-ounce Turkey Snack Sticks.

The Hershey Co.

The Hershey Co. unveiled a range of innovation, including Brookside Tablet Bars, Brookside Yogurt-Flavored Fruit and Nut Bars and Brookside Dark Chocolate Fruit and Yogurt Bars. However, perhaps the most notable—and most talked about—innovation was the company’s Reese’s Pieces Peanut Butter Cups.

The mash-up of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Reese’s Pieces Candies received the Best in Show award during the Expo’s Most Innovative New Product Award ceremony. “We’re humbled and honored to win Best in Show,” said Anna Lingeris, senior manager, communications for the Hershey, Pa.-based company. “We’re excited to bring this product to the consumers.”

Inline Plastics Corp.

The increased demand of portable snacking was a strong trend at the show, and many exhibitors showcased innovative packaging to meet the need. Inline Plastics, based in Shelton, Conn., developed its Safe-T-Fresh Grab & Go collection of tamper-evident Snack Cups, Sandwich Wedge and Hanagable containers for on-the-go eating and snacking options.

“Rigid square containers are often used for sweets and snacks applications due the their good utilization of shelf space and enhanced merchandising of its contents,” said Jack Tilley, market research manager. “Inline has just introduced its Safe-T-Fresh line of clear tamper-evident square containers. These containers extend shelf life and provide superior merchandising of its food contents, which results in less loss due to shrink and increased impulse sales.”

Jack Link’s Protein Snacks

Better-for-you snack options were a trend worth noting, and Jack Link’s Protein Snacks unveiled its Lorissa’s Kitchen brand to meet the better-for-you demand. The premium protein snacks use only responsibly raised proteins, like 100 percent grass-fed beef, antibiotic-free chicken and responsibly raised pork, said Tom Dixon, chief marketing officer for the Minong, Wis.-based company.

“With flavors like Korean BBQ, Ginger Teriyaki, Sweet Chili and Szechuan Peppercorn, Lorissa’s Kitchen premium protein snacks are perfect for anyone living an active lifestyle that’s looking for a healthy, portable snack without sacrificing awesome flavor,” Dixon said.

Flame grilling also continues to be a hot trend, because the technique provides a unique depth of flavor that is hard to achieve with other methods. The year, Jack Link’s brought the technique to its portfolio with the launch of its Flame Grilled Steakhouse Beef Jerky and Korean BBQ Flame Grilled Pork Strip.

Kay’s Naturals

When it comes to snacks, consumers are looking for satiety, says Ann Jones Kazemzadeh, president of Kay’s Naturals, based in Clara City, Minn. “Consumers are looking for snacks that help them get on with life,” she said. “That means it satisfies hunger and offers meaningful nutrition.”

Kay’s offers items that marry protein with indulgence. Its line of crunchy snacks, which includes cookie bites and pretzel sticks, is high in protein and a good source of fiber, Kazemzadeh said. The company’s sweet snacks use stevia and cane juice to keep sugar low, Kazemzadeh added, noting that the company’s snacks and 17 varieties of cereals have won awards for quality, texture and real nutrition.  

Loco Brand

Loco Brand featured a variety of products to meet consumer demand for healthier snack options. “Consumers are opting for healthier options with greater frequency, but when it comes to snacking, you definitely see that they want both indulgent and healthy options,” said Nicole Cheifetz, marketing manager for the Hollywood, Fla.-based company.

The company’s Oh Naturals sweet potato fries, for example, have nearly half the fat of the leading sweet potato chip, Cheifetz said. “They satisfy a craving—crunchy, salty snack—and do so in a way that still ‘hits the spot’ but isn’t as bad for you. The idea is to offer healthier options that are affordable and, perhaps even more importantly, delicious and satisfying.”

Loco Brand also offers a number of fruit-based snacks like its frü-licious freeze dried fruit, frü-licious fruit twists, ice pops and smoothies. Additionally, the coconut craze is reflected in Loco Brand’s YoCoco Coconut Milkshakes and Nudie coconut chips.

Mars Chocolate North America

Officials at Mars Chocolate North America recognize that seasonal items are a big part of the confections category. With that in mind, the Hackettstown, N.J.-based company debuted its seasonal items for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter—in addition to highlighting innovations like Twix White Chocolate Cookie Bars and DOVE Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate Promises—at the show.

“The seasons are a time to treat yourself,” said Tim Quinn, vice president of trade development. “It’s a fun time to interact with brands in a different format, and seasonal continues to grow.”

The Halloween lineup includes new Snickers Crisper Fun Size, Dove Milk Chocolate Treat Size, Dove Dark Chocolate Jack-O-Lanterns and Crunchy & Crispy Lovers Mix Variety Stand-up Pouch. For Christmas 2016, Mars will launch Snickers Brand & Milky Way Brand Bites Mixed Ornament Pouches, Twix Brand Minis Cane for the Holidays and Dove Brand Promises Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate Large Gift Box.

Mondelēz International North America

Mondelēz International, based in East Hanover, N.J., showcased how it is delivering engaging, sensorial experiences to consumers. Whether it be through unique textures, flavors or combinations of the like coming together for a new level of intensity, Mondelēz International aims to bring these experiences to consumers, said Katie Williams, senior director, gum, candy and cough.

“Our new Stride gum taps into the engaging sensorial experience through new to the category texture,” Williams said. “It offers multiple layers of flavor and ‘crunch reactors’ that provide a truly unique chewing experience that starts off crunchy and ends smooth.”
Sour is also one of the biggest trends in candy, and the company’s Sour Patch Kids brand is “positioned to engage and excite through flavor,” Williams said, adding that the company has examined how optimizing pack types can help contribute to overall growth. “Recognizing this need, Sour Patch Kids as well as Swedish Fish brands launched new King Size Packs & Go Cups.”

The Promotion In Motions Companies

To meet the needs of consumers looking for better-for-you and organic offerings in the snacks category, Promotion in Motion offers its Welch’s Fruit Snacks and its newest brand, Go Organically Fruit Snacks. The items were featured prominently, and all of its fruit snacks are made with real fruit, are fat- and gluten-free, do not contain any preservatives and are a good source of vitamins A, C and E, says Lisa, Eustic, marketing director for the Allendale, N.J.-based company.

“In 2015, we launched Go Organically Fruit Snacks with the mission to deliver consumers an organic fruit snack that is exceptionally delicious—we believe organic should taste great,” Eustic said. “Go Organically Fruit Snacks are available in three mouth-watering varieties, made with organic fruit purees and juices, natural flavors, colors from natural sources and are GMO-free.”