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Our industry columnists discuss news, issues and industry observations that bakers and snack manufacturers need and provide details and observations from the production floor or news on industry happenings.

Topics

Artisan

Industry expert perspectives on handcrafted, handmade, artisanal, long fermentation, high hydration, open crumb, Old World, traditional, sourdough, craft, small batch and other subjects related to artisan bread and baking.

Better-for-you

Industry expert perspectives on grain nutrition, nutrients, vitamins, enriched flour, whole grain, ancient grains and other strategies for improving nutrition in grain-based snack and bakery products.

Clean Label

Industry expert perspectives on developing snack and bakery products with clean, clear, simplified labels and ingredients, including preservative-free, using natural colors and flavors, non-GMO, natural, and organic.

Culinary

Chef perspectives on improving the culinary, flavor, texture and eating quality of snack and bakery products for retail, foodservice and restaurant markets.

Editor's Note

Snack and bakery industry insights, analysis and updates from Douglas J. Peckenpaugh, group editorial director of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery.

Efficiency

Industry expert perspectives on improving energy efficiency, reducing downtime, increasing throughput and streamlining operations at snack and bakery facilities.

Food Safety

Industry expert advice and guidance on preventing food recalls, preventing allergen cross-contamination, preventing pathogens, developing HACCP plans, improving worker safety, meeting FDA regulations, passing FDA inspections and other measures to improve food safety at snack and bakery facilities.

Regulatory

Industry expert perspectives on FDA guidance and other regulatory issues facing the snack and bakery industry.

Sustainability

Industry expert perspectives and advice on improving the environmental sustainability of snack and bakery companies, including topics related to consumer perspectives on sustainability.

Workforce Development

Industry expert perspectives and strategies for improving workforce education, advancement and development at snack and bakery companies, including worker training and careers in snack and bakery production.

ARTICLES

publishers note sfwb

Moments of opportunity—and growth

Chris Luke
July 28, 2022
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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.


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Ready to connect during the pandemic

Chris Luke
June 21, 2022
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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.


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American snack ingenuity

American snack ingenuity

Doug 200
Douglas J. Peckenpaugh
March 28, 2022
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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.
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Agents of change

Agents of change

Doug 200
Douglas J. Peckenpaugh
February 3, 2022
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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.
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Navigating uncharted territory

Navigating uncharted territory

Doug 200
Douglas J. Peckenpaugh
October 29, 2021
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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.
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editors note

A century of snack and bakery progress

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery magazine has been published for over a century, and we’d like to hear from you regarding how we are doing.
October 14, 2021
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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.
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editors note

ALDI’s Simply Nature brand appeal

Doug 200
Douglas J. Peckenpaugh
August 18, 2021
No Comments
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.
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The future of snacking

Chris Luke
July 27, 2021
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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.
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