Snack World - August 2015 - (Page 8)

NEWS Younger consumers fuel the healthy snacking trend Gluten-free remains a viable, growing segment Consumers want to feel good about the snacks they eat, and The NPD Group recommends manufacturers use health call-outs to attract consumers and increase snack sales. The transition toward snacking with a health benefit is being driven by the youngest generations, according to The NPD Group, and includes Generation Z, ages 0-23, millennials, ages 24-37, and Generation X, ages 38-48. These groups' positive attitudes about snacking, desire to eat more healthfully and need for convenience are among the reasons for the growth in snacks with a perceived health benefit. Baby boomers, a large number of whom have health conditions, tend to watch for sodium and sugar content in snacks. In its report "The future of eating: Who's eating what in 2018," The NPD Group said consumption of better-for-you (BFY) snack foods, like fresh fruit, breakfast/sports bars and yogurt, is up 14% since 2006 and is forecast to grow the fastest out of the three snack categories of BFY, sweet and savory. Consumption of savory snacks, which include salty snacks and dips, increased by 4% since 2006 and is also forecast to grow. Consumers have lost their sweet tooth when it comes to snacking, but with more sweet snacks offering health benefits, the market research firm's forecast shows consumption to stabilize over the next few years. The US gluten-free market should continue to rise as many people buying the products still perceive them as healthy, said Diane Ray, vice-president of strategic innovation for the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), in a recent webinar. Household penetration of gluten-free products reached 46% in 2014, up from 29% in 2006, according to the NMI. Within the 46% of households buying gluten-free products, 45% of people use gluten-free foods once in a while, 44% avoid as many glutencontaining products as possible and 11% are on a strict gluten-free diet. When survey respondents were asked why they buy gluten-free products, only 6% said because of celiac disease. The top answers were a desire to eat healthier or have improved overall health (51%) and a desire to feel better (38%). The top five attributes that gluten-free consumers look for in a gluten-free product are good taste, value for the money, nutrition, easy to find when shopping and good texture. Maryellen Molyneaux, an NMI managing partner, suggested that food companies may find opportunities by improving those attributes or adding variety with ancient grains or new flavors. ® SNACK FOOD ASSOCIATION An International Trade Association Quality & Innovation Management - Sept. 9-11 Blackwell Inn & Conference Center, Columbus, OH www.sfa.org Executive Leadership Forum - Sept. 20-22 The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, WV www.sfa.org Emerging Leaders Program - Oct. 25-27 Georgetown University, Washington, DC www.sfa.org SNAXPO 2016 - March 19-22 Houston, TX www.snaxpo.com 8 Snack World August 2015 www.sfa.org Clean label attracts older consumers "Clean label" is a relatively new food industry term, but characteristics within that term may appeal to more mature demographic market. "Who is the most interested? Older consumers, the 50-plus age group," said Elizabeth Sloan, Ph.D., president of Sloan Trends, Inc., Escondido, CA, in a recent presentation. Baby boomers have time on their hands and a fair amount of money to buy clean label products, said John Hallagan, an attorney in Washington, DC, who has worked with the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). Consumers may have different goals when seeking out clean label products. Older people may want to avoid additives, Dr. Sloan said, while younger people may seek organic, all-natural and gluten-free items. A 2013 study asked consumers to give their reasons for avoiding chemical/artificial ingredients. Seventy-six percent of those age 65 and older said "concern about health," which compared to 75% for age 50-64, 62% for 35-49 and 58% for 18-34. Only 56% of those age 65 and older said "preference for natural products," which ranked behind 59% for age 50-64, 66% for 35-49 and 69% for 18-34. http://www.sfa.org http://www.sfa.org http://www.sfa.org http://www.snaxpo.com http://www.sfa.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snack World - August 2015

Snack World - August 2015
Table of Contents
Letter from SFA - GMO Free
Top-Level Education
News - Younger consumers fuel the healthy snacking trend
Gluten-free remains a viable, growing segment
Clean label attracts older consumers
Supplier Insight - The SFA ROI: Supplier’s Perspective
Legislative Summit - SFA Takes to the Hill
Business Profile Member - A Fortune 500 Mindset
Associate Profile Member - Customer-Centric in Every Sense
Snack Trends - Sorting Out the Snacks Segment
Non-GMO on the rise?
Products & Services
Ad Index

Snack World - August 2015