7 Brands That Will Help Your Store Become a Snack Destination
By Abbey Lewis on Feb. 13, 2017CHICAGO -- Snacking, a daypart all on its own, now accounts for 50% of all eating occasions, according to a new report. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies looking to find success in this growing category should "act like a startup and look at the category differently by having a bigger purpose that guides everything they do," according to the report by Barkley Inc. and Futurecast LLC, Kansas City, Mo.
Brands must be disruptive in order to make waves on your snack shelves. With millennials dominating this snack-food awakening, brands that hope to stand out will need to break the category norms and appeal to the cultural changes this demographic brings with it, according to the Barkley and Futurecast report, The Snack Hack: What You Need to Know About Modern Consumer Snacking Culture. Brands that can appeal to millennials' sense of self—their place in society, their values, their habits—and offer a "flavor adventure" will be likely to emerge from the pack.
Here are seven "disruptive" brands that are gaining favor among your frequent-snacker millennial shoppers. The following brands were isolated as category disrupters by New York-based market intelligence firm CBInsights, catching their attention "by thinking big and outside of the box" ...
1. Sahale Snacks
Sahale Snacks is "passionate about creating extraordinary snacks," the company said. Its Nut + Fruit Mixes have premium ingredients and are available in Berry Macaroon Almond Mix, Mango Tango Almond Mix and Raspberry Crumble Cashew Mix flavors. The products also feature refreshed packaging that carries a “Snack Better Promise,” which encompasses the manufacturer’s commitment to high-quality products from “seed to shelf. Mixes have an SRP of $6.99 for 7- and 8-ounce sizes, and $1.75 for a 1.5-ounce grab-and-go size.
2. Ocean's Halo
Ocean's Halo snacks are made from seaweed and other real ingredients. The company says the snacks are "swimmingly delicious and nutritious." Almond Seaweed Strips feature crunchy almonds between two lightly sweetened seaweed strips. Seaweed snacks are USDA-certified organic, Non-GMO Project verified, certified vegan and use only gluten-free ingredients. The company also only uses heart-healthy oils and invests in certified compostable materials for its packaging.
3. Rhythm Superfoods
Rhythm Superfoods started out by making air-crisped Kale Chips in the kitchen of a little juice bar in Austin, Texas. Now they manufacture multiple superfood snack lines, such as Broccoli Bites, dehydrated broccoli snacks available in Zesty Nacho, Asian Citrus and Garden Ranch flavors. Containing 7 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving, the bites are non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan friendly. Broccoli Bites are available in 1.5-ounce bags for an SRP of $3.99.
4. Pop! Gourmet Foods
The global company likely responsible for fueling the Sriracha craze, Pop! Gourmet Foods manufactures popcorn with the chili, as well as the sauce itself. Pop! Gourmet Foods recently launched Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce in 7-gram squeeze packets that feature the red Huy Fong label with the iconic white rooster and green tip bottle. The Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce packets join the brand’s portfolio of Huy Fong Sriracha Ketchup, Huy Fong Sriracha Salsa and Huy Fong Sriracha Diced Tomatoes.
5. Two Moms in the Raw/SoulSprout
Two Moms in the Raw, now SoulSprout, launched Cacao Nib Nut Bars, Green Tea Vanilla Truffles and Cayenne Cacao Truffles back in 2014. Each product is 100% organic, gluten-free, non-GMO, raw, sprouted and Kosher. The antioxidant-rich Cacao Nib Nut Bar is available in four fruit flavors: Cranberry, Blueberry, Gojiberry and Goldenberry. Each bar is available in a 2-ounce single-serve package for an SRP of $3.69. Two Moms in the Raw Truffles are 100% organic, gluten free, non-GMO, kosher, vegan, raw and sprouted. Each 3-ounce package of the two truffle varieties contains three truffles for an SRP of $4.69.
6. Primizie Snacks
"Primizie Crispbreads are a true chef-created snack. They are an addictive, flavor-forward, thick-cut specialty chip with a distinctive crunch," the company says. Now available in snack-size bags, Primizie specialty crisps come in five premium flavors, including the new Dolce Caramel & Italian Sweet Cream. Dolce Caramel’s rich, nutty caramel taste is infused with sugars and spices and then accented with sea salt and Italian sweet cream. Primizie’s 1.5-ounce packaging option is also available in Italian 7-Herb, Gouda and Garlic, Chile and Lime and Simply Salted. The new 1.5-ounce bags are available for a SRP of $1.29, while the 6.5-ounce bags have a SRP of $3.99.
7. Perky Jerky
Free of nitrites, preservatives and MSG, Perky Jerky is available in a variety of flavors in both beef and turkey varieties. Perky Jerky Beef is 97% fat-free, while Perky Jerky Turkey is entirely fat-free. A portion of all Perky Jerky proceeds go to support the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Down syndrome. Each batch is carefully handcrafted using only all-natural, quality ingredients during the marinating process. Perky Jerky flavors include Hot & Bothered, Sweet & Snappy, Tasty Teriyaki, Jammin’ Jamaican, Pale Ale, BBQ Seoul and More Than Just Original. All flavors featured in the new packaging are also certified gluten-free.