Columns

Strategic Growth

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

After nearly eight years as editor, on August 1, I succeeded my longtime colleague, mentor, and friend, Chris Luke, as publisher of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery.

Moments of opportunity—and growth

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

We are poised at a significant point in time in the American snack industry. Over the past few years, at various points and to different degrees of intensity, we fortified ourselves with the necessities: sanitizer, toilet paper, and—yes—snacks. We are a nation of snackers, and we continually demonstrate our brand loyalty at the checkout counter—or internet shopping cart.

Ready to connect during the pandemic

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

If there is one clear takeaway message from the time spanning from December 2019 until today, it’s that there isn’t a clear replacement for in-person connections. While we have proven that we’re adept at adapting when necessary, a Zoom call lacks the nuances and potential insights we can get from in-person meetings.

American snack ingenuity

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:16:00 -0400

The history of the American food industry boasts a number of iconic snack foods. And one of the best is Cheez-It crackers, a brand currently owned by another American classic, Kellogg Co. In fact, Kellogg's is home to a wealth of historic snack and bakery products, including Corn Flakes and Pringles, among dozens of other strong category anchor brands.

Beautiful diversity

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:41:00 -0500

Our work in food is visceral. It's immediate. It's supremely intimate to serve a role in preparing the daily bread for people across our planet.

Agents of change

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 14:12:00 -0500

Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? If you don't automatically align with the solution end of that equation, you might want to think about your overall messaging to consumers, and to the industry overall.

The importance of industry interactions

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 13:29:00 -0500

Over the past few months, after nearly two years of disruption, I've been getting back into the saddle, visiting with the industry across the many pathways I carve through the course of my work.

Navigating uncharted territory

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 13:56:00 -0400

During the recent and highly successful in-person PACK EXPO, Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development for PMMI, passed along some highlights from his 2021 PMMI "State of the Industry" report, including data noting a significant uptick in packaging equipment purchases.

A century of snack and bakery progress

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0400

One of the best parts of my job is traveling around this great country to visit with snack and bakery companies, some of which have helped define this industry for over a century. I'm always humbled to hear their pioneering stories of perseverance and success - and honored with the privilege of telling their stories to the world.

ALDI’s Simply Nature brand appeal

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:00:00 -0400

When I travel, or throughout the always-lively and competitive greater Chicagoland grocery industry, my home market, I revel in visits to unfamiliar grocery and convenience stores. Instantly immersed, strolling the perimeter and aisles, eyes darting to end caps and standalone displays, I'm a true omnivore awash in the thrill of the hunt for something new and delicious.

The future of snacking

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:14:00 -0400

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.

Bakery essentials

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 14:00:00 -0400

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.

The power of relationships

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:42:00 -0400

As I've engaged (remotely) with the industry of late, I've heard myriad stories of hardship and determined struggle, of community support and selfless volunteerism, of ingenuity and fortitude. These core values, so central to true leadership, are what bridge the gap to unite us across this great nation.

Culinary lore and the power of snack brand storytelling

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:00:00 -0400

Culinary history can bring powerful elements to storytelling, as seen in the origin of Mikesell's Potato Chip Co. and its Saratoga chips.

Pandemic bakery perspectives

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 10:33:00 -0500

In the ongoing grip of the COVID-19 pandemic as we enter a new year, and a new administration in Washington, we reached out for an update from Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association (ABA), Washington, D.C.

Snack and bakery strategies for a better 2021

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500

This past year was unlike any other throughout our history as a nation, and the snack and bakery industry saw significant impact.

Industry engagement crucial in post-election landscape

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 09:00:00 -0500

The 2020 election is over, but efforts to understand the impacts are just beginning.

Healthy indulgences

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 -0500

Over the past few months, as I went through the process of developing SF&WB's annual "Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies" list, I felt a renewed sense of admiration for the inherent power of merging true nutrition with indulgence.

Innovating into the future

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:07:00 -0500

The history of the food industry offers many great examples of notable pioneers who innovated in the face of adversity.

Understanding the multiple facets of sustainability in the food industry

Thu, 17 Sep 2020 14:44:00 -0400

The term "sustainability" embodies a number of different meanings. According to the Oxford English dictionary, one definition refers to the "avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance."

Joyful and permissible

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 13:15:00 -0400

During the interview for our September issue cover story profile on fast-growing entrepreneurial brand Ka-Pop! Snacks, a company founded and led by Dustin Finkel, he talked about the need to keep the joy in better-for-you snacking.

The fundamental chemistry of baking cookies, part 2

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0400

A recent inquiry to the American Bakers Association (ABA) asked what the purpose of emulsifiers are in a bakery formula.

At the heart of the community

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 09:43:00 -0400

We are a nation divided. America has grown increasingly polarized across our political and social spectrum, and this national anxiety will, unfortunately, increase as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the November elections approach.

State of the Industry 2020: Sustaining the snack boom

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Baking industry strategies for the post-COVID-19 era

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -0400

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.

Perfecting artisan bread processing

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Ingredients and processing play a 50/50 role in the quality production of artisan bread. It's the simple ingredient list and simple processing that is helping boost this style of bread's popularity in the natural and clean label trend.

Bakery kill-step validation drives consumer confidence

Mon, 18 May 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Though the baking industry has a very safe record for the production of shelf-stable food products, Salmonella continues to be a pathogen of concern.

Keeping snack and bakery operations productive through the coronavirus pandemic

Fri, 15 May 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Ever since public health officials first identified the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China in December 2019, the insidious virus rapidly spread, infecting millions of people around the world and largely shutting down the global economy.

Clean-label baking with vital wheat gluten

Thu, 14 May 2020 09:00:00 -0400

What does clean label mean? How can you be certain your newly developed product meets today's clean-label expectations while consumer demands continue to evolve?

A world shaken

Wed, 13 May 2020 14:00:00 -0400

It's the last day of April. I'm sitting at my desk in my home office where I've largely isolated myself for the past several weeks. I look out my window and things seems relatively unchanged compared to two months ago.