Snac World - August 2017 - 6

LETTER FROM SNAC INTERNATIONAL

MANN
AVERY

Building Knowledge,
Building Trust
W

e are spending a lot of time thinking about consumers' rapidly changing shopping and snacking preferences and how SNAC International can help our members stay on the front foot whether they are
running a start-up or a company with a 100-year heritage.
This issue of SNAC World focuses on developments with better-for-you (BFY) snacks. While the exact meaning of
the term BFY is, proverbially, in the eye of the beholder, there is no doubt that snacks that deliver more than just
great taste are on the rise. High protein, lower calorie, greater dietary fiber, more nutrients, heart-healthy fat, lower
sodium, locally sourced ingredients, no artificial anything, sustainably packaged, baked-not-fried and gluten-free
are just some of the characteristics consumers are looking for. We hope the insights in this issue of SNAC World will
provide a nugget or two of new information that will help you navigate consumers' rapidly changing expectations.
This topic will be explored more fully at SNAC's annual Executive Leadership Forum, Sept. 17-19 in Colorado
Springs, CO. We will be meeting for two intense days of education and networking with a focus on understanding
how the lightning-fast changes in the retail sector, from the emergence of Aldi and Lidl to Amazon's acquisition of
Whole Foods, will impact the snack category. Coupled with that will be in-depth presentations on who is snacking
on what and why. To understanding that, there will be a review by Mintel's director of Insight and Innovation on
snacking as a verb, not a noun, and a provocative session on the reasons why millennials seem to be food-obsessed.
A panel discussion featuring the founders and funders of some of the most innovative new BFY entrants to the
snack category will surely be a highlight. Check out www.snacintl.org for the latest program and registration information.
As you read through the magazine, I would also like to draw your attention to articles recapping SNAC's very
successful Legislative Summit and the development of our Legislative Engagement program. As you will read, we
are working to ensure that our elected officials have a clear understanding of the challenges facing our member
companies as they seek to comply with multiple labeling changes occurring at the same time. There is nothing
more powerful than enabling elected officials and their staff with practical, real-life examples of the steps involved
in making changes to every single snack package in the marketplace. Participants in the Legislative Summit wisely
realize that the "day on the hill" is just one way to build knowledge about our industry. The key is to get to the next
level and build trust. One of the best ways to do that is by investing time in building personal relationships. With
that in mind, I was immensely pleased with the number of plant tours and follow-up discussions taking place in the
aftermath of the Legislative Summit.
As always, please reach out to me with any concerns or questions.
Elizabeth Avery
President & CEO
SNAC International
6

SNAC World August 2017

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - August 2017