The Dish

Styling and Photography by Laurie Mosco 2020 might have proven the saying, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Or at the very least, the most beloved meal of the day. When polled, 62% of Americans named breakfast their favorite meal, according to Convenience Store News. That love deepened as work-from-home and remote…

It’s National Candy Month and America Is Crushin’ on Candy

Take a closer look at America’s obsession with candy.

TikTok Treats that Will Get You the Likes

Learn how to spot candies with social media star power.

Chocolate & Food Pairings: the Perfect Merchandising Match

Parings that make the perfect upsell opportunity.

Sweet Ways to Celebrate Pride

Dramatic displays saturated in a rainbow of colors draws customers to your door.

4 Women-Owned Brands Shaping the Confection and Culinary Industry

Women owned brands shaping the confectionary and food industries.

4 Snack Types to Brighten the Summer Travel Season

Prepare for more travelers with fun, vibrant and flavorful summer candies

Consumers’ Thirst for Salty Snacks Soars

Shake up your salty snack selection with trending flavors and elevated classics.

New Face of the Water Cooler: Break Room Snacks Re-defined

Satisfy employees’ cravings for scrumptious snacks and safety

Everyone Wants S’mores of Backyard Togetherness

Getting outdoors has become a hot trend that is here to stay. What are the hottest snacks for all this outdoor time? Chocolate of course!

What’s Trending: 2021’s Finest Flavors in Beverage

Flavors sure to raise glasses and eyebrows.

Summer Travel Snacks that are “King of the Road”

Hitting the Road this summer – the best snacks to get fueled up for fun

A Taste of Fame: Celebrity Sodas

Celebrity Status Sodas and Sodas Crafted by Celebrities are all on the bestseller list this season

Solar Power Driving Sweet Creations at Nassau Candy

Here comes the sun! Or, more accurately, the power from the sun. Nassau Candy goes solar to help make our world a bit brighter.

Traditions Behind the Easter Classics Every-Bunny Loves

Ever wonder how chocolate rabbits came to be an iconic Easter symbol? We did too, so we hopped into action and did a bit of digging.

They Call It Cookie Love

Cookies are more popular than ever as a snack selection. We take a look at this friend-chip to discover the secret recipe.

The Votes are In: Our Presidential Picks

President’s Day fun! If we are in charge of the Capitol’s candy stash, here is how we imagine The POTUS past and present would place their orders.

Beyond Candy Corn: Tips to Grow Your Farm Stand Business

Simple and Easy Candy Displays for Farm Stands and General Stores

Top Food Trend: Brand Stories

Consumers Want to Know All About the Brands They Buy Styling and photography by Laurie Mosco As we put 2020 behind us and enter 2021, one of the top food trends isn’t a particular flavor or regional cuisine according to BakeryandSnacks.com but rather, the story behind the flavors and regional cuisines. Customers are interested in…

A Taste of 2021’s Top Food & Flavor Trends

Trendsetters for every taste are easy to incorporate into your selections. We’ve made is super simple with a handy guide.

Tour the World at Christmas – No Magic Sleigh Needed

No magic sleigh needed to tour the World at Christmas. Discover some unique holiday traditions and take a tasting tour of the world through sweets and candy.

Home Treatments — Natural Health & Beauty More Popular Than Ever

The face of retail is changing due to consumer demand during Covid. Health and beauty products are enjoying a boom as folks are opting to stay home and self care. As video calls are on the rise, and consumers curb salon and spa visits, Vogue Business reports, folks are opting to create the spa experience at home….

Candies with Real Sticking Power

Ever wondered about our oldest candies and what makes them still a favorite today? Take a closer look at some of the US’ oldest candies.

Cravings of Comfort and Health – During COVID

Comfort and Well-Being Top Consumers’ Shopping Lists for 2020

Plant Power to the People – Grab & Go Fuels Guests

Plant-based has gone mainstream – even in hotel and country club grab & go sections. Turn a so-so snack program into a stellar one by understanding your members and guests snacking preferences.

Sip. Savor. Smile. Specialty Sodas for Every Personality

Photography and styling by Laurie Mosco Fizzy, fun and full of flavor, customers can’t resist a good soda. This isn’t just a wishful Fanta-sea. Soft drink revenue is expected to hit $667,384 million in 2020 according to Statista. Like all other food categories in today’s market, when it comes to soda, consumers are looking for…

Color us Surprised – the Influence of Color on Purchases and Mood

Lift spirits and sales with the right color combinations – tips for merchandising with color.

Do You Say Pop or Soda?

Soda, Pop, Cocola, Soda Pop, Coke . . . what do you call the sweet, effervescent refreshment?

8 Easter Retail Stats To Get You Hoppin’

Ever wonder which candy holiday boasts the most sales? Consumers love candy holidays, and Easter is their favorite.

Hail to the Treats!

We imagine the confections that pump up our presidents President’s Day is fast approaching and we have come to understand that the position of President of the United States of America is quite stressful. Good thing stressed spelled backwards is desserts! It’s been revealed that long nights making laws on the Senate Floor are fueled by…

And the Winner is… Movie Snacks!

Tasty trivia about movie-time snacking

Our Love Affair with Valentine’s Day Chocolate

Ever wonder why we give heart shaped boxed filled with chocolates at Valentine’s Day?

A Snack Stats Blitz for the Big Game

While for some, the holidays are over, for football fans the holiday has just begun. Enter the Big Game, the second largest food holiday in the country, taking place February 2, 2020. And guests are bringing their appetites, which can mean big sales for food retailers. The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that Big Game…

Jumping for Beans – Jelly Beans

In celebration of National Bean Day (January 6), we’re examining our love of the sweeter side of beans – the chewy, fruity, jelly variety.

7 Healthy Food Stats to Supercharge New Year Sales

The New Year is only days away. That means the cookies, cakes, and comfort food of the holidays are soon but a distant memory. Consumers are saying goodbye to grandma’s gooey mac & cheese and homemade cookies, and hello to fruits, vegetables, and other better-for-you foods. This shift from indulgent feasts, to foods on the…

Better-for-You Snacks Hit the Sweet Spot Before New Year’s Resolutions

Go Ahead . . . indulge in better-for-you snacks and sweets. Kick-start customers’ resolution season right. Stock up on snack mixes, fruits, and nuts now.

Silver and Gold Bring Sparkle to any Event

Silver and Gold might be a classic Christmas tune, but this color theme isn’t just for the holidays and New Year’s. It adds a touch of elegance to a wedding, commemorates an anniversary, and brings class to a milestone birthday, or even a baby shower. In fact, consumers’ love of the silver and gold theme…

Comfort and Joy – Create a Mood Boost with Old Fashioned Candy

They’ve trimmed the tree and decked the halls. Next item on customers’ lists – enjoying longtime holiday candy favorites. According to the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 90% of Americans plan to share or gift chocolate and candy this season. This plan has paid off for retailers, with Nielsen reporting $1.08 billion in Christmas candy sales…

The Essential Gluten-Free Baking Guide

Give Your Customers a Recipe for Successful Gluten-Free Baking Whether it’s part of a New Year’s resolution, or a goal such as trying to get in beach body shape, many consumers turn to a gluten-free diet to help keep a healthy lifestyle. Currently there are 3.1 million Americans following a gluten-free diet for personal and…

Do Pies Take the Cake at Thanksgiving Dessert Tables?

We examine the top desserts of the holiday According the the American Pie Council, the tradition of serving pumpkin pie started at the second Thanksgiving in 1623. Will pumpkin pie keep its 396-year streak as one of the top desserts served on our Thanksgiving tables? We’re serving up the stats about the sweeter side of…

Top Cocktails to Keep Spirits High

It’s the time of year when we have entertaining on the brain. These days, spirits and cocktails are VIP guests at everyone’s gathering. According to The Wall Street Journal, spirits, wine, and cocktails are beating out beer as the most requested alcoholic beverages in the US. Before you partake of the party drinks, check out…

Hot Chocolate Bars are in Hot Demand

Hot Beverage Bar Sales are Heating Up! Easy how-to and recipes to get you in on the gourmet hot chocolate trend.

Herbal Tea Vs. ‘Real’ Tea

Are you a tea purist? Do you believe that herbal tea qualifies as a tea? Find out what the differences are and then decide.

The Art of Charcuterie

6 Simple Steps to Help Customers Entertain with Ease Charcuterie — aka cured meats, and cheeses, once seen as a high-end European-type meal is gaining popularity in the United States. A 2017 Nielsen survey found that the meat department and deli counter represent a $9 billion industry in the US, with $200 million of that…

4 Tips to Make Your Holiday Gift Baskets a Slam Dunk

Set yourself up as the go-to gifting headquarters this season. Help customers check off their gift list with a few quick and easy tips for merchandising your goods.

6 Stats to Boost Holiday Retail Spirit

When the stress of the holidays creeps in early . . . we’ve got some feel-good news to bring on the holiday cheer!

4 Fabulous Fall Colors We Can’t Leaf Alone

Autumn’s best colors and flavors come alive in candy. There is so much more to love about fall beyond Halloween.

Chew on These Stats

Chew on these stats! Americans love their chewing gum. Celebrate National Chewing Gum Day today and check out some cool facts before you run down to the corner store for a fresh supply of gum!

Day of the Dead – Sweets & Snacks to get in the Spirit

Celebrating Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead

Falling for Limited Edition Flavors

Limited Time flavors are a driving force behind seasonal sales. Get in on the trends to keep customers coming back for more.

Fang-tastic ways to Keep Halloween Sweet and Safe

Top Allergen-free Treats to Take some of the Scare out of Halloween Halloween is one of the candy industry’s busiest holidays with consumers spending approximately 2.6 billion on candy in 2018, according to the trade publication Candy Industry. While a time of revelry and fun, it can be challenging for the 5.6 million children under…

Just Beachy – Cool Ideas for Warm Weather Treats

National beach Day is August 30. Time to celebrate with some sweets and think about ways to help save our beaches for future generations.

Big Travel Days = Big Snack Sales

Americans will hit the road in record numbers this Labor Day Weekend. Get ready for snack sales!

Simplify Back-to-School Snacking with In-Store Sampling

Now that back to school is in full swing, find new ways to help customers stock up on snacks and staples for family meals.

9 Retro Soda Brands Heating up the Craft Beverage Scene

Tempted to bring in craft soda and retro soda brands? These best selling customer faves are a great place to start.

Amp Up Sales with an Impulse Section Refresh

Back to school is coming soon and that means a change-up in your store’s stock. It’s also a great time to revisit your merchandising strategy, including your impulse sections. Point of sale purchases and impulse purchases can help drive up sales, especially during the times when your store is busier than usual, like back to…

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