Snacking, a growing business

Consumers are snacking much more frequently; about half (48%) of the population snacks at least twice a day, double the 2010 level of 25%. "Consumers snacking more" is an special report published by the March 2013 issue of The Cracker, the magazine of the International Nut and Dried Fruit Council Foundation for the World Nut and Dried Fruit Trade. The information, based in Technomic Inc.?s 2012 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report, informs that seven in 10 snacks are eaten at home; it also informs about the preferred moments to snack, three-quarters of consumers snack in the midafternoon. Indulgent snacks (e.g. ice, cream, salty snacks, chocolate, snack nuts, and cookies) are most prevalent in the evening, while fruit, baked good, and coffee/tea are common midmorning. Flavor/taste, cited by 83% of those polled, trumps all other factors in the snack purchase; 39% are motivated by new or unique flavors, explains Technomic. And , most importantly for the produceindustry, sales volume for healthy snacks continued to outpace indulgent snacks in 2011, but by a smaller margin than in the past five years.? That means, the produce industry has in its hands a very good opportunity, but it also has to work to make these naturally healthy fruits & vegetable snack more attractive to the consumer. Moreover, SymphonyIRI reports that 59% of parents want snacks fresh/not processed, 56% lower fat, and 43% lower calorie, all up significantly in the past two years. All those reports refer to research conducted ?in North America, but in a globalized world, it is likely that the same concerns exist eslewhere. For produce, the berry ?the natural snack- business continues to grow, ?even in Europe, despite the economic crisis. Apple slices are more and more common; during the last Fruit Logistica, the company VOG, was making great efforts to ensure that every visitor had the option to enjoy it?s product. The Internet has plenty of information about the growing trend for snacks. For instance, it is also an opportunity for the restaurant business. Many researchers including Technomic have revealed that more consumers are ordering snack items from restaurant menus. According to Technomic Continuing Research, the data shows that more snacks were sourced from restaurants in 2012 (29%) than in 2010 (22%). The first picture belongs to VOG.The cherry tomatoes are by Carchuna La Palma. Thanks to Hugh Douglas for the English language corrections! ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?