The grain-focused snack and bakery industry accounts for over $100 billion in annual retail sales. The core of those offerings originate from a select group of businesses, some who have served American consumers for many decades. And Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery magazine, founded in the early 1900s, has been there every step along the way. Some of these companies have strong diversification and are among the largest food businesses in the world. Others serve important—and growing—core areas of snack and baking across North America. Mergers and acquisitions continue to change the playing field.
Fiscal 2020 posed unprecedented challenges to the industry. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and associated industry challenges continue to refine how consumers approach their food, directly impacting business strategies. But despite the formidable challenges we continue to face, this is a time of opportunity—and growth, as seen at a number of companies on this year’s list of the Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies of 2021.