Amid weakening consumer confidence, 59% of consumers said they are purchasing specialty foods this year.

Despite economic woes, Americans continue to crave indulgent foods, including prepared cakes and pies. Changing demographics, continued innovation, in-store bakeries, specialty retail and private label items, and the growth in refrigerated, packaged baked goods are all part of the emerging future of this sector.

Consumer interest in intense flavors continues to grow, and Stride is answering that trend with an extension of its line, an extension which capitalizes on the brand’s convention-defying trademark.

Regular consumption of chocolate may slash the risk of developing heart disease by a third, according to research published in the British Medical Journal and presented at the European Society of Cardiology's conference in Paris.

Brynwood Partners VI L.P. announced it acquired St. Paul, Minnesota-based Pearson Candy Company. Terms and conditions of the transaction were not disclosed.

J.R. Short has developed the foundation for a new category of snacks based on its proprietary micro pellet extrusion technology.

There are more than 18 million college students in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics, and they are increasingly selective about where and how they spend their foodservice dollars.

Vitamin D with calcium appears to reduce the risk of melanoma in some women. Ice cream month is here again, and the snack is being redefined.

The National Confectioners Association, sponsor of the SWEETS & SNACKS EXPO®, announced that the dates of the 2012 EXPO have changed to May 8-10.

Thompson Brands LLC, long known for its private-label chocolate novelties, introduced a pair of its own brand of novel novelties at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo.