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Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows
Brilliant ideas, a plethora of the latest and greatest items in snacking, and merchandising riches will be bestowed upon attendees of the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo.
Richard Turcsik
January 1, 2018
13 Min Read
Attendees of the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo had best pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes because the annual convention will host more than 800 exhibitors displaying—and sampling—the most innovative products confectionery, salty snack, meat snacks and specialty snacks manufacturers have to offer covering more than 4 acres of floor space.
More than 17,000 attendees from 90 countries are expected to attend the Expo, held May 23–25 at McCormick Place in Chicago and sponsored by the National Confectioners Association. In addition to all the mouthwatering goodies in the booths, participants can also partake in about 20 educational sessions, including Power Pitch, a panel discussion that will provide a rich learning lab for product entrepreneurs on what retailers want to see when they pitch their latest candy or snack item.
This year’s show offers specific tracks for the candy, snack and specialty categories, as well as a track especially designed for first-time attendees. The complete list of Expo educational sessions can be found at sweetsandsnacks.com/learn.
Here is just a small morsel of what to expect at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo:
The colors of the rainbow will be popping at Black Jewell’s booth, with the Columbus, Ind.-based company introducing its Family Farm Grown brand and displaying its Kernels & Microwave products made with unique, specialty color kernel popcorns grown on traceable, dedicated family farms. Plus, there will be ready-to-eat popcorn made from Black Jewell’s proprietary small black kernel popcorn. Black Jewell products are all-natural and have a clean ingredient label.
“With the introduction of our Family Farm Grown brand of popcorn, consumers will not only have the opportunity to know where their popcorn came from, but they also can learn about the dedicated family farms that grow it,” says Barry Johnson, president. “The Family Farm Grown website will feature all of our family farms and their stories.”
Western’s Smokehouse has one-upped itself when it comes to healthy meat snacks with its new Healthier for You line that features call-outs like “antibiotic-free,” “hormone-free,” “no nitrites” and “gluten-free.” They will be displayed along with the entire Western’s Smokehouse line of meat snacks.
“Retailers will ‘Taste the Difference’ in quality and flavor with Western’s snack sticks, and learn about our terrific pricing and programs to allow retailers to continue to add incremental revenue opportunities to this very exciting category,” says Dan Western, national sales manager, Western’s Smokehouse, based in Greentop, Mo.
Storck is bringing its Werther’s Original line of caramels to Sweets & Snacks Expo.
“At the Storck booth, retailers will have a chance to try some of our newest innovations, like our Werther’s Original Cocoa Crème Soft Caramels and Werther’s Original Sea Salt & Pretzel Caramel Popcorn,” says Meredith Suffron, director of marketing for Werther’s Original at Storck USA, based in Chicago. “Another major focal point will be sharing details of our recent re-branding of Toffifay in the U.S.”
Launched in January, the Hammonds Brands name is uniting Hammonds Candies, Old Dominion and the new Mellow Snacks, under one umbrella. Visitors should be sure to try the Denver-based company’s Mellow Fluffs handcrafted snackable marshmallows in Key Lime Pie, Vanilla Bean, Toasted Coconut and Birthday Cake flavors that will be sampled at the show.
“We launched Mellow Fluffs at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and they were a huge hit,” says Steve Schmid, vice president of sales.
Mars Chocolate North America/Wrigley
M&M’s are going Caramel. The latest M&M’s treat features a creamy caramel center covered in milk chocolate and enclosed in a candy shell. Also being sampled are 100 Calorie Sticks for Snickers, Twix, MilkyWay and Dove chocolate. Maltesers, the leading bite-sized brand in the U.K., is making its stateside debut, while new stand-up pouch packaging is being introduced for M&M’s, Snickers Bites and Twix Bites, replacing laydown bags. Also being displayed are three new flavors of goodnessKNOWS snack squares.
“At the Expo, Mars Chocolate and Wrigley will share our new Path-to-Purchase Study, which offers a multi-faceted picture of all the attitudes and behaviors that define what people truly love and dislike about the confectionery category today,” says Larry Lupo, vice president of sales – grocery, convenience and drug channels, at Mars Chocolate North America based in Chicago. “We engaged 7,500 category shoppers and more than 30 retailers in this comprehensive study and unearthed seven shopper-validated imperatives and created a framework that unlocks the power of confectionery at the point of purchase.”
People will literally have Mixed Emotions visiting the Jelly Belly booth because that is the name of the new line of Jelly Belly jelly beans combining flavors with feelings. Each one of the five flavors in the line is paired with an emotion and finished with the imprint of a corresponding face to show off those feelings; Lemon is happy and Berry Blue is sad, for example.
“Jelly Belly has several exciting new product introductions at Sweets & Snacks Expo, including the eye-catching Mixed Emotions line and BeanBoozled Throwback Edition,” says Jana Perry, communications manager at the Jelly Belly Candy Co., based in Fairfield, Calif. “From popular licensed products to proven brand best sellers, the colorful and expansive Jelly Belly booth showcases something for everyone.”
It will be a free-from-for-all at Enjoy Life Foods where the Chicago-based company will be displaying its newest free-from products, including its protein-packed ProBurst Bites, containing 6- to 7-grams of plant protein per bite, as well as individual on-the-go snack packs of its top-selling Baking Chocolate Snack Packs.
“Retailers have an enormous opportunity to capitalize on the rising percentage of free-from shoppers, including the 75 million people currently shopping for food products free from allergens or gluten in the U.S., by stocking their shelves with tasty and transparent products boasting clean and nutritious ingredient panels,” says Joel Warady, chief sales and marketing officer. “Families afflicted with food allergies must rely on brands like Enjoy Life Foods to provide delicious, free-from foods, and they’re willing to pay more for them.”
Chocolate Covered Gummi Bears—oh my. That is just one of the new items being sampled at Sanders Candy, along with Milk and Dark Chocolate for Wine Pairing packages and Chocolate Snack Bars. Visitors can also check out the 2017 holiday collection, including items like Elf Bites, Chocolate Trio Gift Set, Holiday Popcorn and Boulevard Collection winter-themed boxed chocolates, along with the popular Three Piece Sea Salt Caramel Collection and the Mini Bites Collection.
“Consumers are looking for premium snacking options now more than ever,” says Karen Jefferson, vice president of sales at Clinton Township, Mich.-based Sanders Candy. “Our commitment to only offering quality products with no artificial additives or hydrogenated oils—like our America ’s Original Gourmet Dessert Topping—helps you ensure you’re giving shoppers what they want.”
Praim Group continues to expand its licensing agreements and will display its new Friendly’s and Entenmann’s bars. Each 2.15-ounce bar reflects each brand’s best-seller. Friendly’s items include Dark Chocolate with Coconut and Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter Cup. Entenmann’s bars are available in Dark Chocolate with Raspberry Burst and Dark Chocolate with Mint Cookie Crunch.
“The Friendly’s and Entenmann’s partnerships are a great example of how Praim Group works with brands to help them extend into new categories, new channels and new aisles in the store,” says Paul Pruett, founder and director of Boston-based Praim Group.
Samples of Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Peanuts Bark, Dark Chocolate with Salted Hazelnut Toffee Bark and Dark Chocolate with Caramel and Sea Salt Bites are so good they will likely be endangered themselves, say officials for the Indianapolis-based company. Also on display are the new Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt and Almond Bites and Dark Chocolate with 88% Cocoa Bites.
“Endangered Species Chocolate is a mission-driven company that is passionate about chocolate and the environment,” says Kelly Meinken, marketing director. “ESC donates 10 percent of our net profits to fund species and habitat conservation.”
R.M. Palmer Co. will debut its Berry Blend Bunnies, raspberry or blueberry pieces blended with milk chocolate. New for Christmas is a licensed Maxine Gift Mug filled with Double Crisp Coal and Stocking Puppies, 3.5-ounces of hollow milk chocolate foiled in lifelike Golden Retriever and Dalmatian graphics.
“R.M. Palmer continues to provide innovative chocolate novelties for all consumers and retail channels,” says Brielle Monestime, brand manager for the Reading, Pa.-based company.
Angie’s Boomchickapop’s entire flavor portfolio will be on display, including the new Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Milk Chocolaty Peanut Butter and Caramel varieties.
“Angie’s Boomchickapop is launching five new flavors in 2017: Real Butter, Cheddar Cheese, Dark Chocolaty Drizzled Sea Salt and Milk Chocolaty Peanut Butter,” says Angie Bastian, founder of Angie’s Boomchickapop, based in North Mankato, Minn. “Angie’s Boomchickapop makes gluten-free snacks, with non-GMO popcorn, whole grain and big flavor, made with real, simple ingredients.”
Guests stopping by the Hershey booth will taste and see “Snackfection.” That is where confection and snacking meet, giving consumers a variety of snacking options for throughout the day. Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cups—combining peanut butter and chocolate cookie crumbles—are making their world debut at the booth.
“Hershey invites retailers to stop by for a taste of the latest Hershey product innovation and learn how we are bringing new excitement and easier shopability to the confection aisle,” says Rob Gehring, global chief sales officer for The Hershey Co., based in Hershey, Pa. “We like to collaborate with our retail partners to develop customized solutions that create value and drive sales, and there’s no better place to inspire ideas and spark conversation than the Sweets & Snacks Expo.”
“We will be highlighting the new Chicago Cubs Collection products, which are ideal for self-consumption, sharing and gifting,” says Steve Druckman, president of Fannie May, based in Melrose Park, Ill., and a division of 1-800-FLOWERS. “In addition, we will be featuring our new 14-ounce Nut and Caramel Collection, which is the perfect combination of chewy and crunchy, featuring a mix of caramels, nougats and nut clusters, as well as our 6.5-ounce Vanilla Buttercream Dark Chocolates.”
Six new items from Red Vines and Sour Punch brands will be displayed and sampled, including Sour Punch Real Rainbow, a “better-for-you” version of Rainbow Straws; Sour Punch Boltz bite-size candy in lightning bolt shapes; Zombeanz chewy candies in ghoulish flavors including Rotten Raspberry; Share Me! 3.5-ounce bags of sharable mini bites; Red Vines Made Simple Berry Twists and Red Vines Birthday Cake Twistettes.
“Our team is very excited about all the new product flavors, forms and pack sizes we are launching in the next couple of months,” says Kristi Shafer, director of marketing at American Licorice Co., based in La Porte, Ind. “We have pushed ourselves and the innovation team to think outside the box.”
Meat snacks are not just for afternoon snacking anymore, now that Jack Link’s is debuting its Jack Link’s AM line. Also being highlighted this year are the Jack Link’s Extra Tender products.
“Jack Link’s Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide,” says Jeff Kjome, shopper marketing director at Jack Link’s, based in Minong, Wis. “Our family-owned company’s portfolio of brands includes Jack Link’s, Lorissa’s Kitchen, MATADOR Jerky, SQUATCH Snack Sticks, World Kitchens Jerky, Bifi and Pepparami.”
Enstrom Toffee & Confectionery
Enstrom is a leader in the world of toffee, and at the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo the Grand Junction, Colo.-based company is debuting its 4.5-ounce Stand Up Paper Bags.
“Enstrom Toffee is made only using the finest ingredients around, and there are only six ingredients: butter, sugar, almonds, chocolate, salt and sunflower lecithin,” says Jim Simmons, vice president of sales and co-owner. “Our products are all-natural, kosher, and dairy- and gluten-free.”
Carl Buddig & Co./Old Wisconsin Sausage
At the Old Wisconsin booth, smoke will not get in your eyes, but in your stomach as the Sheboygan, Wis.-based division of Homewood, Ill.-based Carl Buddig & Co. will be sampling both its Old Wisconsin Big Smokey and Smoke Stack products.
“Old Wisconsin is a handcrafted high quality product that specializes in portable snacking items that can be enjoyed on the go,” says assistant brand manager Shereene Manimala.
Loves Park, Ill.-based TH Foods is a leader in the bulk side of the business. Visitors should stop by to see what is new when it comes to snack mixes and trail mixes, as well as with its Crunchmaster branded product.
There is no place like home, which is why Farmer’s Pantry prides itself on using only 100-percent American grown ingredients. New this year are Farmer’s Pantry Cornbread Crisps, made with fresh-baked cornbread that is delicately sliced and then toasted to crispy perfection, say officials for the Plainview, N.Y.-based company. Farmer’s Pantry Meal Snacks are billed as the only snacks on the market combining protein-packed meat plus a side of vegetables, cornbread crisps or fries, in one innovative package.
“Folks who stop by our booth will get a chance to understand the complete Farmer’s Pantry story,” says Josh Chaitovsky, CEO and president. “We only use the kind of authentic, identifiable ingredients you’ll find in a Farmer’s Pantry, and you’ll learn about how we’re supporting American Farms—so they not only survive, but thrive.”
Retailers can learn about Barry Callebaut’s full line of chocolate and compound coatings, inclusions and cocoa powders, and specialty products including colored and flavor compounds, chocolate decorations and nut products.
“In November, Barry Callebaut launched Forever Chocolate, an overarching, holistic strategy to scale up our own and the industry’s sustainability efforts,” says Angie Sanchez, associate marketing manager for the Chicago-based company. “We’ve got to find bold new ways of doing business and bringing partners together to make it happen. That’s what Forever Chocolate is all about. It’s a movement for the entire chocolate industry, from farmers to chocolate lovers, to make sustainable chocolate the norm.”
