In the world of snacks, crackers are fast becoming the next big thing for snackers and the final frontier for food marketers. As harried, on-the-go Americans increasingly turn to snacks to satisfy their cravings and replace sit-down meals, they are discovering that crackers can offer an exciting and healthy alternative to traditional salty snacks such as chips, popcorn and pretzels. In a virtuous circle that promises to provide a significant boost to the market for crackers, major marketers in t...
January 28, 2014The dynamics of the kids’ food business have changed dramatically in recent years. In a nutshell, typical macaroni and cheese isn’t going to cut it when a kid can have noodles shaped like their favorite cartoon character. Or, what fun is using a spoon to eat yogurt or applesauce when you can squeeze it? Taste is no longer the only qualification needed to be a kid-friendly food. In fact, it’s become quite a juggling act for any company or brand that tries to break into this growing market. Shif...
January 16, 2014Food from Italy, Spain, Morocco, Greece, Turkey and other countries that border the Mediterranean Sea have long been popular in the U.S., but today’s curious eaters are digging deeper to find new dishes and turning to new outlets for fresh and healthful meals. At the National Restaurant Association Show in 2013, the popularity of this fare was on display in everything from tapas-centric heat-n-serve foods, flatbreads and wraps, to Mediterranean-inspired stuffed meat and cheese items. Newly p...
October 16, 2013Move over Parisian macarons and Pennsylvania Amish whoppie pies: Brazil’s beloved brigadeiro (pronounced bree-gah-day-ro) may be next in line as America’s latest sweet snack trend. A traditional treat at Brazilian social events, this humble confection is made with chocolate, condensed milk and butter that are slowly cooked down to a smooth, creamy consistency. Once cool, the chocolate is scooped into rounds and rolled in toppings such as chocolate or multi-colored sprinkles, nuts or coconut. Bri...
August 15, 2013