Page 2 - Healthy Snacks

Organic has made its way from a must for produce to a growing must for chocolate. Predictions have the organic chocolate market totaling $1.39 billion by 2028 (Candy Industry). The positive upswing stems from customers wanting to indulge while still striving towards a healthy lifestyle (Candy Industry). While Supermarkets and hypermarkets may be where customers are reporting purchasing organic chocolate, all retailers can benefit from adding organic chocolates to their selection (Candy Industry).

Want to know the brands that will get the oohs and aahs? Here are some of our favorites.

Snacking has officially transitioned from an in between meal pick-me-up to the new meal for many US snackers. Over the past year, 35% of Americans said they were snacking more often, with 70% of Millennials preferring snacks over meals, according to Food Dive. The increasing popularity of snacks will continue into next year, but customers don’t want any old snack — they demand unique experiences. Snacks offer a great opportunity to experiment with flavor because of their smaller portion sizes, according to natural flavor manufacturer, FONA. Sounds like it’s time to spice up your snack selection.

The flavors tantalizing customers’ taste buds now.

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 lighter side might not be as drastic as in years past. In fact, Culinary Visions found that health benefits trumped taste in consumers’ snack selections year round.

We know what they DON’T want (less salt, less fat, less carbs, fewer calories, less sugar, etc.) but what are consumers looking for in terms of healthy foods? Here are some stats for inspiration.

• US organic food sales totaled $47.9 billion in 2018, according to a survey from the Organic Trade Organization. Fruits and vegetables made up 36% of these sales, so keep pushing the produce.
• 39 states choose broccoli as their favorite vegetable, per a survey

Treats to help customers jump-start their resolutions through the holidays

The New Year is a little more than week away, and that can mean only one thing – resolutions. According to research firm YouGov, 54% of Americans resolved to eat healthier heading into 2019. We can expect similar numbers going into 2020. While consumers are looking to eat healthier, on-the-go snacks tallied up $1.1 billion worth of business in 2018, according to Nielsen, and the market is growing. It seems consumers are not willing to skip snacks to achieve their fitness goals.

Meet your customers in the middle with small indulgences that combine better-for-you ingredients like nuts and dried fruit. Here are some of our favorites that help make the transition from the holiday table to the gym bag.

A hotel stay used to be a time of indulgence, from ordering late night room service, to consuming every snack in the mini bar, to stocking up on goodies from the gift shop. Not anymore. Moderation of indulgences has taken over, and health trumps taste in consumers’ snack selections, whether they’re traveling or not 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 you stock in your hotel and resort gift shops.