Snackers Fuel Up for Labor Day Road Trips

Labor Day is only weeks away and 25% of Americans will be getting out of town, 35 million of them hitting the roads and 16.5 million taking to the skies worldwide. Big travel weekends can mean big sales opportunities for food retailers. According to a survey conducted by Frito-Lay, 75% of travelers say that they’re packing snacks for their trips. However, what those snacks look like is changing.

Moderation of indulgences has taken over, and health trumps taste in consumers’ snack selections according to a recent survey by Culinary Visions.  With more and more travelers on the lookout for healthier snack options, keep them happy by catering to their tastes with the food and drinks you stock.

There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to healthy snacks. Traveler type can dictate their snack desires.  We break down the main types of Labor Day travelers and their preferences.

Family Fun Seekers

Whether driving or flying to vacation destinations, the beach, the amusement park, or simply local sites, family travelers are not looking for a full meal replacement, but a healthy snack that will tide the kids over to their next meal. Portability goes hand and hand with nutritional value as parents will have to pack the snacks along with all the mountains of gear that little ones need for a day of fun.  In fact, Frito-Lay’s survey found that 92% of snackers say that convenience is key when selecting a traveling snack.

Children tend to be less adventurous when it comes to eating, so healthier versions of the childhood classics will appeal to both parent and child. Pop Chips Nutter Puffs crunchy puff curls are a Non-GMO, gluten-free snack with the flavor of chocolate and real peanut butter. Bear Yoyo’s line of all-natural fruit snack tape is fun to peel and eat, and it’s not full of “nonsense”.  The childhood classic, peanut butter and jelly, gets a handy, super-portable bar makeover by This Bar Saves lives (added benefit, for every bar sold, the company will donate food aid to help childhood hunger across the globe). 

Kids may be involved in the selection of these products, so consider their line of vision when placing refreshments in your assortment. Items with standout packaging and fun characters like Tickle Water kid-friendly fruit-flavored sparkling water, or Yum Earth all naturally flavored licorice or lollipops with brightly colored packaging draw lots of attention.

Voyaging Vacationers

A solo vacationer — an adult couple — a group of adults— no matter what combination, these travelers’ snacking needs intersect with those of traveling families, but are slightly different.

Like traveling families, they’re looking for a portable snack to satisfy hunger between meals but what makes vacationers unique is that they are often looking for a food adventure.  They are open to new experiences and and if that also includes a healthful ingredient list, so much the better! Offer unique snacks with exotic ingredients.

Crispy Fruit’s line of freeze-dried fruit tempts customers to experience a taste of the tropics like pineapple or mango in a light and crispy snack that is completely portable and shareable. If your business is located in a warmer climate, products that showcase tropical ingredients like Primal Kitchen Coconut Lime protein bar or Maple Valley Farms’ California Aloha trail mix featuring coconut, bananas, papaya and pineapple is especially enticing.

For the more adventurous, portable snacks with out of the ordinary ingredients are intriguing. Those with an appreciation for craft beer will want to try Boardwalk Craft Beer pretzels made with IPA, stout, or pilsner. Familiar flavors like cinnamon swirl and s’mores are a great way to introduce travelers to better-for-you options like chia, flax, and quinoa. We recommend Drizzilicious rice, chia, quinoa, and flax chips in sweetly satisfying dessert flavors. Chia seeds mingle with pumpkin seeds, almonds, and other nuts in bite-size granola clusters from Creative Snacks Co.

Make sure you offer refreshing beverages to pair with the snacks and meal replacement products. Many health publications highlight the need for travelers to stay hydrated as a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle while on the go. A great option for the adventurous and the health-minded travelers is Mojo coconut water.

Travelers are packing their bags, gasing up the car and are on the hunt for tasty, better-for-your snacks. With a fully stocked snack assortment that emphasizes the extraordinary and offers solid nutrition, you’ll be sure to capture your customers’ hearts and loyalty.

* Sources:
https://wallethub.com/blog/labor-day-fun-facts/23742/ 
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-exactly-what-time-to-get-on-the-road-to-beat-labor-day-traffic-2018-08-30 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/08/29/labor-day-flights-us-airlines/1127582002/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/744184/travel-spend-on-select-public-holiday-weekends-us/
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/when-the-sun-is-back-its-time-to-pack-the-snacks-frito-lay-reveals-its-next-us-snack-index-just-in-time-for-summer-300854686.html