Market insights and fast facts into food and beverages for kids' health and immunity.

Prepared Foods talks snack tastes and trends with Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice president & practice leader for client insights at Circana. Wyatt delivered a “State of Snacking” address at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo and PF Editor Bob Garrison checks in to learn more.

“Congratulations to the Organic Trade Association for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE president and CEO Michelle Mason. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.” 

BNP Media food and beverage editors used that information to identify approximately 40 new products, which advanced through two rounds of preparation and tasting in late June and late July at Charlie Baggs Culinary Innovations, Chicago.

Founded in Michigan’s cannabis market, Happi has taken its mission nationwide by offering versions with hemp-derived cannabinoids through its direct-to-consumer site, as well as in states with flourishing hemp beverage markets.

Designing a plant-based chocolate bar or other chocolate product might sound like an easy task, but it is not just about replacing the dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives.

It’s one thing to talk about sustainability’s appeal to consumers. Yet how are consumers thinking and behaving when it comes to on-shelf food and beverage decisions?

"We believe in the ethical treatment of animals," says Chris Mattera, Le Cordon Bleu trained chef and culinary innovator with North Country Smokehouse. "Beyond our commitment to non-GMO ingredients, we adhere to strict Certified Humane Raised & Handled and Global Animal Partnership program standards – in fact, we surpass them."

Keeping up with flavor trends in a globalized era of constant and viral information can be challenging. After all, these days a single online influencer can spur the interest of millions of consumers with a single tweet. Nowhere is this more evident than among the so-called Gen Z demographic, a generation of adults in their late 20s and younger, with some of the highest purchasing power and the strongest trend impact.

Sugar reduction—applying the term as a generic for full-calorie sweeteners—remains one of the top concerns among consumers, yet the lack of willingness to sacrifice flavor and function remains a challenge to product developers.