Articles by Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

A robust food safety program will include advanced traceability systems that align with other businesses up and down the supply chain. As the foodservice industry seeks to implement improved connectivity to improve recall readiness, more producers continue to look for solutions that will offer strong traceability.

Product purchase and consumption patterns in America point toward a desire for affordable simplicity in our foods. This has catalyzed ongoing product development efforts to meet increasing consumer demand for natural and organic snacks. And efforts to bring cleaner snacking options to more Americans find increased success when retailers can offer such simplified products at affordable price points.

Cloud kitchens, also known as ghost kitchens, present an emerging market opportunity for the baking industry. Multiple segments that intersect with baking show potential, including direct-to-consumer bakery click-and-collect or delivery of fresh breads, sweet goods, desserts, and novel concepts like automated dessert carry-out via vending

SNAXPO21, taking place August 22–24 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC, will offer multiple opportunities for snack industry leaders to explore emerging flavor innovations as part of the in-person event’s broad scope of business opportunities. SNAXPO, produced by SNAC International, is the most-comprehensive event completely dedicated to the snack industry.

The crackers category is home to multiple iconic brands synonymous with snacking, including Cheez-It, Goldfish, and Ritz, all billion-dollar brands. As part of the foundation of the grain-based baking industry, crackers also present significant opportunities for growth through incrementally better-for-you offerings and highly innovative nutrition-forward products, as well as premium and specialized lines.

In many ways, the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed continued growth of existing patterns across snacking. For many consumers, day-to-day snacking increased, sometimes fueled by external pressures related to disrupted work, school, and the overall societal status quo. We seek solace in comfort, and the snack industry delivered.

State of the Industry analysis of the frozen breakfast product category, including frozen waffles and pancakes.