Following months of rebuilding after tragedy struck in September 2023, Mama Geraldine’s Cheese Straws and Bodacious Snacks is back in business. Cathy Cunningham, company founder, talked about her journey with The Shelby Report at the 2024 IDDBA Show. At a dinner last fall with some girlfriends in downtown Jasper, Georgia, Cunningham said she received a call […]
Category: Snacks Brands
Snack news for grocery retailers: new items, brand news, sales trends and merchandising for salty snacks, candy and more.
See more center store coverage in Aisle Watch.
25 Snack Food Suppliers Queue Up For ReposiTrak’s Traceability Network
ReposiTrak is preparing to welcome 25 new snack food suppliers into the queue for the ReposiTrak Traceability Network. These new members will exchange FDA-required key data elements for each critical tracking event in their supply chains, ensuring proactive compliance before the January 2026 deadline. Among the 25 snack food suppliers specializing in various categories are […]
Mars Inc. To Acquire Kellanova In $36B Deal
Mars Inc. has shared its intention to acquire Kellanova – home of brands such as Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats, Kellogg’s (international) and Eggo – for $83.50 per share in cash, for a total consideration of $35.9 billion, including assumed net leverage. Upon completion of the transaction, Kellanova will become part of Mars Snacking, […]
The Hershey Co. Highlights New Retail Capabilities For Boosting In-Store Sales
The Hershey Co. is “perfecting perfection” with its Reese’s Big Cup, utilizing two new technologies designed to “drive decisions, track performance, collect actionable data and boost sales.” Momin Bhatti, Hershey’s associate manager of corporate communications, visited with The Shelby Report during the recent Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, sharing how the company is using […]
AWG Brands Expands Best Choice Produce Snacks
AWG Brands, the private brands portfolio of Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc., has launched its new Best Choice produce snack program. Designed to merchandise in grocers’ produce departments, the program offers a curated selection of 15 natural snacks. “We’re continuing to see growth in the category based on analytics from the AWG Partner Gateway […]
Conagra Brands Debuts Collection Of New Products
Chicago-based Conagra Brands is bringing more than 50 new items to grocery shelves, spanning the categories of plant-based, frozen foods and snacks. “We have a diverse collection of new food that offers something for every taste,” said Burke Raine, president of refrigerated and frozen for Conagra Brands. “Our team has worked hard to craft delicious new […]
The Wonderful Co. Named To ‘Best Companies To Work For’ List
The Wonderful Co. has been named one of Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, ranking 91st on the list. A $6 billion global agriculture company with a 10,000-person workforce, The Wonderful Company owns and produces healthy brands, including FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, Teleflora and JUSTIN and Lewis […]
Despite Financial Restraints, Treats Industry On Move
Consumers continue to seek novelty food items that provide “fun” and enjoyment, while remaining under financial pressures, according to Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics. Roerink provided Sweets & Snacks Expo attendees this week with an in-depth look at the overview of the confectionary landscape, based on information from NCA’s State of Treating annual study. […]
‘Purpose-driven’ Mars Wrigley Touts Innovation, Choices
Mars Wrigley is “laser focused” on launching new innovations to provide customers with new experiences. That was the word from Mike Gilroy, the company’s VP of trade relations and sponsorship activation, who spoke with The Shelby Report during the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis, discussing innovation within the category and where the brand plans […]
Featured Products On Display At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The Featured Products Showcase displays the best-of-the-best from exhibitors at the Sweets & Snacks Expo, taking place May 13-16 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Attendees were able to browse new innovations (or old favorites with a new spin), top-performing products, MINPA winners and submissions and more. [envira-gallery id=”227507″] [envira-gallery id=”227562″]
Expo Highlights 2024’s Top Flavors, Product Trends
With 1,000 exhibitors spread across more than 250,000 square feet of the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, attendees at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo are discovering 2024’s top candy and snack trends and flavors before they reach store shelves. “The categories have always been on the cutting edge of innovation, as the entire food […]
Snack Industry Remains Strong Despite Inflation
The snack food industry is “still strong in the U.S.” due to some significant changes, according to Sally Lyons Wyatt, global EVP and chief advisor of consumer goods and foodservice insights at Circana. Lyons presented “The State of Snack Food Industry: It’s A Snack Journey” education session during the Sweets and Snacks Expo, which runs […]
Supplier Showcase Highlights Innovative Products, Systems
The Supplier Showcase is the Sweets & Snacks Expo’s face-to-face marketplace helping confectionery and snack suppliers connect with customers. Taking place May 13-14, the Supplier Showcase is an opportunity for attendees to connect with candy and snack manufacturer partners before they take to the main show floor. [envira-gallery id=”227236″]
From Sweet To Salty, New Products Hailed Across 13 Categories
Ahead of its opening Tuesday in Indianapolis, the Sweets & Snacks Expo recognized the winners of the 2024 Most Innovative New Product Awards. The honors announced Monday recognize excellence across 13 categories, showcasing the most innovative ideas, concepts and products in the candy and snack industries. “With the Most Innovative New Product Awards, we celebrate […]
Sweets & Snacks Expo Opens May 14 In Indianapolis
National Confectioners Association opened the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo May 14 to record-breaking numbers at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The show is “going to be giant,” according to Greg Guidotti, CMO of Ferrara Candy Co. and chair of the Sweets & Snacks Expo committee. The expo is expected to break records, featuring […]
Smarties Candy Co. Offers Anniversary Roll At Sweets & Snacks
This year marks a milestone for Union, New Jersey-based Smarties Candy Co. as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. Founded in 1949, Smarties has been a family-owned business in the candy industry, producing billions of candy rolls. To commemorate the anniversary, Smarties invites attendees of Sweets & Snacks to visit Booth No. 20550 for a chance […]
Nature’s Garden Launches Probiotic Fruit Snacks
Cibo Vita, manufacturer of Nature’s Garden Snack Foods, now has its Probiotic Yoggies available in Mixed Berry and Peach Mango flavors. In addition, responding to the popularity and demand for Yoggies, Nature’s Garden brings its innovative development approach to the trail mix category through the LemonBerry-Mixed Berrry Probiotic Trail Mix Snack Packs Combo. Coated in […]
Top Seedz Opens Production Plant In Buffalo, NY
Top Seedz, which began in a local farmer’s market seven years ago and now is a national brand, has opened a new, automated production plant in Buffalo, New York. With 10 times the capacity of its previous operation, the facility will enable the company to keep pace with the coast-to-coast demand for its organic, gluten-free […]
Utz, Mike’s Hot Honey Partner For Limited-Edition Potato Chips
Utz Brands has partnered with Mike’s Hot Honey to create Utz Mike’s Hot Honey Extra Hot potato chips. Available through September, the flavor builds off the original Utz Mike’s Hot Honey chips but with triple the heat. The sweet and spicy potato chips are gluten-free and kosher-certified. The product comes in an on-the-go 2.625-ounce size and a […]
Kevin’s Natural Foods Names Bernstein As CEO
Kevin’s Natural Foods has named Roxanne Bernstein as CEO to support the brand’s continued growth. Bernstein joined Kevin’s Natural Foods in April, and will transition into the role by July 1. This transition comes at an important time for Kevin’s Natural Foods, following its acquisition by Mars and a period of record sales and exponential growth. Bernstein […]
