At Jail Breaker Potato Chips, bold flavors are only part of the story. The Kentucky-based brand was built on a bigger idea: that the right opportunity can help someone break a cycle and start over. Based in London, Kentucky, the company was founded by Jamie Mosley, who spent more than 16 years working as a […]
Category: Snacks Brands
Snack news for grocery retailers: new items, brand news, sales trends and merchandising for salty snacks, candy and more.
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Posted inExecutive News, News, Northeast, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. Names Hoytink As President, U.S.
The Hershey Company has named Heather Hoytink as president, U.S., effective July 8. Hoytink brings more than 20 years of sales, operations and commercial leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as SVP and chief commercial officer, U.S. Away From Home Beverages at PepsiCo. “We’re thrilled to welcome Heather to Hershey,” said Kirk Tanner, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Jackson’s Chips Expands Into Publix, Adding 1.4K Stores Across Southeast
Jackson’s, the snack brand known for chips cooked in avocado oil, has launched its products in Publix stores, marking a significant milestone in the company’s national retail expansion. The rollout began June 24 across more than 1,400 Publix locations in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. The initial assortment includes […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Video Series Earns 6 Telly Awards For Confectionery Storytelling
Two of the National Confectioners Association’s original video series, The Sweet Life: Season 3 and Sweet Land of Liberty, earned a combined six honors in the 47th Annual Telly Awards. The awards recognize excellence in video and television across all screens, judged by more than 250 experts including representatives from advertising agencies, production companies and major television […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Grocery Research, National, News
Utz Survey: 62% Of Americans Snack Daily During The Summer
The survey of more than 2,500 U.S. consumers reveals the habits and occasions that define how Americans snack from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Southeast
Mascot Inc. Expands Pecan Facility In Glennville, GA
The expansion scales its sugar panning capacity, accelerating production of flavored nut products such as Praline Pecans and Coconut Cashews.
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers
Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]
Posted inPackaging News, Association News, News, Snacks Brands, West
Billie-Ann Plastics Wins Ruby Award For Sustainable Packaging Innovation
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has named Billie-Ann Plastics Packaging Corp. as the winner of the 2026 Ruby Award for Supplier Innovation for its RPET Clear Cylinder with Optional Snap In/Snap On Top and Printing. The award was presented during the Sweets & Snacks Expo Awards Ceremony May 18 in Las Vegas. Created in 2018, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
From Mashups To Mochi: Most Innovative Sweets, Snacks Revealed
The Sweets & Snacks Expo announced the winners of the 2026 Most Innovative New Product Awards on May 18, recognizing the most innovative candy and snack products shaping the future of the industry. With nearly 500 products entered this year – the largest field in program history – the awards spotlight breakthrough innovation, emerging trends […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
New Products Debuting At Sweets & Snacks Expo
From May 19-21, the Sweets & Snacks Expo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together thousands of candy and snack manufacturers, distributors and retail buyers from across the country. For independent grocers looking to capture impulse sales and differentiate their front-end offerings, more than 3,000 exhibitors will be showcasing the latest innovations in […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
Sweets & Snacks Expo Expects Record Attendance In Las Vegas
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo is shaping up to be a landmark event as the candy and snack industry gathers for the first time in Las Vegas, with attendance trending toward an all-time high, according to show organizer National Confectioners Association (NCA). The expo runs May 19-21 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. More […]
Expert Article
Why Retailers Should Lean Into Sweet Baked Goods Right Now – Don’t Pull Back
JTM Foods CEO Monty Pooley sees green shoots in Q1 2026 and a category that rewards merchandising intensity — not retreat — in noisy conditions. The first quarter of 2026 brought what Monty Pooley calls “green shoots” to the sweet baked goods category – early indicators that, after a difficult 2025, conditions are improving for […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Appoints Abbott VP Of Membership, Business Development
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has appointed Carrie Abbott as VP of membership and business development. Abbott will lead the organization’s efforts to grow member company engagement, strengthen industry partnerships and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry. Abbott brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
PepsiCo Foods Launches Good Warrior Snack Brand
PepsiCo Foods is introducing a new addition to the protein snack arena with Good Warrior, a new masterbrand built for people who demand more from their protein. The debut product, Good Warrior Beef Sticks, launches in March 2026 at select U.S. retailers. The beef sticks are made with grass-fed and finished beef and deliver 10 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast, ShopRite
Di Bruno Bros. Brings New Italian Snacks To ShopRite Shelves
Di Bruno Bros. is expanding its Italian-inspired collection with new products designed for spring and summer entertaining, the company announced April 20. The new items are rolling out now in ShopRite stores and other leading supermarket retailers nationwide. Founded in 1939 by Italian immigrant brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno, the company has grown from […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Food Lion, National, News
Food Lion Feeds Honors Kellanova With Grand Lion For Good Vendor Award
Food Lion Feeds, the hunger-relief platform of Food Lion, has launched its 2026 Feedys Awards, recognizing partners who help provide access to food and support families across the retailer’s 10-state operating area. The awards will be presented from April through June as a series of surprise celebrations. Food Lion Feeds presented the Grand Lion for […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News, Snacks Brands
Nestlé Toll House Adds Soccer-Themed Morsels, Cookie Dough To Shapes Line
Nestlé Toll House is expanding its “shapes” product platform with the nationwide launch of milk chocolate soccer ball morsels and chocolate chip cookie dough with soccer ball morsels. The limited-edition items are arriving at retail locations this month. The soccer ball morsels are sold in 9-ounce bags for an MSRP of $5.79, while the 14-ounce […]