Editor's Note

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Snapshots from a pandemic

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 10:21:00 -0400

Since identifying the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 until press time for our April issue of SF&WB at the end of March, the virus is known to have infected over 750,000 people, tragically causing over 36,200 deaths.

For the love of grain

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 11:55:00 -0400

As a home baker, I'm constantly trying to figure out how to add more whole grains to my breads. I love the nuttiness that comes through, and the nutrition is essential to my family. Our toaster gets significant use every morning, and I need to feel good about the way my family starts the day.

The art of Fuego

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 10:16:00 -0500

So goes the tagline on much of the recent marketing surrounding Takis rolled tortilla chips, the flagship line from Barcel USA - the SF&WB 2020 "Snack Producer of the Year."

A sweet century

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 15:00:00 -0500

Hostess Brands celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. The first Hostess CupCakes hit the market in 1919, marking the sweet beginning of one of the most-beloved American bakery brands.

Permissible snacking

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 13:36:00 -0500

Part of our process in developing this month's annual "Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies" list involves reviewing annual reports and communications with shareholders from some of the top companies working in grain-based foods today.

Bakery workforce innovations

Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:51:00 -0500

Rarely does a week go by without the topic of workforce development crossing my desk. It's a problematic situation that’s central to industry performance as we deal with present challenges—and look toward the future.

Bridging the gluten-free gap

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 10:24:00 -0400

When the gluten-free craze hit in 2004, I was already several years into my career as a food industry writer, with stints under my belt covering agriculture, food ingredient R&D, and restaurant menu development

Brioche and the 2019 ‘Bakery of the Year’

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 08:00:00 -0400

One of my earliest childhood food memories is of the time when Julia Child visited the family of one of my best friends who lived down the block.

The new and improved SF&WB

Fri, 17 May 2019 09:17:00 -0400

This month marks the unveiling of the new look for Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery.

Creating differentiation in the snack and bakery market

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:46:00 -0400

So much of this industry is about creating meaningful connections. Successful products that generate long-lasting repeat purchase patters resonate with their consumers.

The stories of our lives in the snack and bakery industry

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 12:55:00 -0400

The snack and bakery industry is filled with wonderful stories. Writing about the origins, growth and scope of the amazing companies that grace our covers is absolutely one of the best aspects of my job.

Kodiak Cakes: powerful growth

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 11:35:00 -0500

Joel Clark, founder of Baker Mills and the Kodiak Cakes brand, got his start in the food business when he was just 8 years old, pulling a wagon around his Salt Lake City neighborhood selling whole-grain pancake mix in paper bags door-to-door. His mom ground the wheat. It was his grandfather's recipe.

The edibles opportunity: legal cannabis market

Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:42:00 -0500

This month marks our first dedicated Report covering the legal cannabis edibles market that has emerged in multiple states across the U.S., and nationwide across Canada.