The COVID-19 pandemic has multiple lessons for the snack industry. Overall, the snack industry has had a strong, up year. But the degree of a "COVID bump" varied from category to category. As we emerge and plan for the future, recent, and current, product purchase behaviors can help provide a roadmap for what's to come.

One clear message from shopper behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic era is the "essential" nature of baked goods. In a crisis, the industry provides sustenance, nutrition, and yes, comfort.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit U.S. shores in early 2020, it caused major disruption across the snack and baking industry, and the country as a whole. Many industries have endured significant economic fallout from the pandemic.

As we approach the beginning of summer, we stand at the threshold of a new era of American life. The COVID-19 pandemic has upended our society's long-established rhythms.

Establishing the right relationships between product developers and suppliers can make all the difference when it comes to setting yourself up for success in the snack and bakery industry.

Category and product line growth comes in many forms in this industry. And not everything is about clean label and better-for-you. A foundational rubric of snack product success is pure enjoyment.

Change is constant in almost any industry. But a key variable is the pace of that change. And across the baking industry, we are seeing strong catalysts of change driving growth.

Every aspect of a snack or bakery business is like a cog in a wheel. When each part fits perfectly into the design, the engine runs smoothly

Cheetos. Lay's. Ruffles. Doritos. These are the brands so familiar to nearly every American. They read off like a list of celebrities. They're household words. And they instantly convey a flavor profile, an aroma, a signature texture-likely even childhood memories.

We have long valued the strong partnership our staff at Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery has forged with Chicago-based market research leader IRI to provide fresh data for our category trend insights in every regular issue of the magazine. Relying on this single source of data keeps our year-over-year analysis consistent, and working with current data each month keeps our insights fresh.