So much of this industry is about creating meaningful connections. Successful products that generate long-lasting repeat purchase patters resonate with their consumers.

This month marks the unveiling of the new look for Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery.

When the gluten-free craze hit in 2004, I was already several years into my career as a food industry writer, with stints under my belt covering agriculture, food ingredient R&D, and restaurant menu development

Rarely does a week go by without the topic of workforce development crossing my desk. It's a problematic situation that’s central to industry performance as we deal with present challenges—and look toward the future.

Part of our process in developing this month's annual "Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies" list involves reviewing annual reports and communications with shareholders from some of the top companies working in grain-based foods today.

Hostess Brands celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019. The first Hostess CupCakes hit the market in 1919, marking the sweet beginning of one of the most-beloved American bakery brands.

So goes the tagline on much of the recent marketing surrounding Takis rolled tortilla chips, the flagship line from Barcel USA - the SF&WB 2020 "Snack Producer of the Year."

As a home baker, I'm constantly trying to figure out how to add more whole grains to my breads. I love the nuttiness that comes through, and the nutrition is essential to my family. Our toaster gets significant use every morning, and I need to feel good about the way my family starts the day.

Since identifying the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 in Wuhan, China in late December 2019 until press time for our April issue of SF&WB at the end of March, the virus is known to have infected over 750,000 people, tragically causing over 36,200 deaths.

It's the last day of April. I'm sitting at my desk in my home office where I've largely isolated myself for the past several weeks. I look out my window and things seems relatively unchanged compared to two months ago.

We are a nation divided. America has grown increasingly polarized across our political and social spectrum, and this national anxiety will, unfortunately, increase as the COVID-19 pandemic continues and the November elections approach.

During the interview for our September issue cover story profile on fast-growing entrepreneurial brand Ka-Pop! Snacks, a company founded and led by Dustin Finkel, he talked about the need to keep the joy in better-for-you snacking.

The history of the food industry offers many great examples of notable pioneers who innovated in the face of adversity.

Over the past few months, as I went through the process of developing SF&WB's annual "Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies" list, I felt a renewed sense of admiration for the inherent power of merging true nutrition with indulgence.

Culinary history can bring powerful elements to storytelling, as seen in the origin of Mikesell's Potato Chip Co. and its Saratoga chips.

As I've engaged (remotely) with the industry of late, I've heard myriad stories of hardship and determined struggle, of community support and selfless volunteerism, of ingenuity and fortitude. These core values, so central to true leadership, are what bridge the gap to unite us across this great nation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has multiple lessons for the snack industry. Overall, the snack industry has had a strong, up year. But the degree of a "COVID bump" varied from category to category. As we emerge and plan for the future, recent, and current, product purchase behaviors can help provide a roadmap for what's to come.

When I travel, or throughout the always-lively and competitive greater Chicagoland grocery industry, my home market, I revel in visits to unfamiliar grocery and convenience stores. Instantly immersed, strolling the perimeter and aisles, eyes darting to end caps and standalone displays, I'm a true omnivore awash in the thrill of the hunt for something new and delicious.

One of the best parts of my job is traveling around this great country to visit with snack and bakery companies, some of which have helped define this industry for over a century. I'm always humbled to hear their pioneering stories of perseverance and success - and honored with the privilege of telling their stories to the world.

During the recent and highly successful in-person PACK EXPO, Jorge Izquierdo, vice president of market development for PMMI, passed along some highlights from his 2021 PMMI "State of the Industry" report, including data noting a significant uptick in packaging equipment purchases.

Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution? If you don't automatically align with the solution end of that equation, you might want to think about your overall messaging to consumers, and to the industry overall.

Our work in food is visceral. It's immediate. It's supremely intimate to serve a role in preparing the daily bread for people across our planet.

The history of the American food industry boasts a number of iconic snack foods. And one of the best is Cheez-It crackers, a brand currently owned by another American classic, Kellogg Co. In fact, Kellogg's is home to a wealth of historic snack and bakery products, including Corn Flakes and Pringles, among dozens of other strong category anchor brands.

After nearly eight years as editor, on August 1, I succeeded my longtime colleague, mentor, and friend, Chris Luke, as publisher of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery. 

Candy is still dandy, but there is an increasingly broad range of trick-or-treat options.

Second Nature Brands LLC will acquire the Voortman cookie brand from The J.M. Smucker Co. in an all-cash transaction worth $305 million.

The Grand Final competition will welcome 60 experts, divided into 20 teams, from all over the world.

PepsiCo is launching a new initiative that will introduce people to new food experiences with the inaugural PepsiCo Foods Culinary Advisory Board.

The addition of AAK Foodservice, Hillside aligns with Stratas Foods’ long-term growth objectives, particularly within the value-added oils, dressings, sauces, and mayonnaise categories.

Rivalz is now available at major retailers including select Sprouts, Nugget Markets, Bristol Farms, and now Meijer and Fred Meyer stores.

Five U.S.-based food, beverage, and CPG women entrepreneurs will compete for $60K in cash and in-kind prizes on Nov. 14 at The Town Hall by Skylight in NYC.

The addition of the brand will reportedly accelerate KDP's portfolio evolution towards consumer-preferred spaces.

This week's Fun Friday includes a Big League Chew bobblehead, M&M's x Kate Spade collab, National Chocolate Day deals with Kinder and Fannie May, some fun Halloween stats from NCA, and National Tavern-Style Pizza Day.

Crumbl has announced plans to open its newest location in the heart of Toronto, at 422 Front St. W. within The Well. 

Angel Shelton Willis will join the company's executive leadership team and report to CEO Carlos-Abrams Rivers.

The company is introducing PopTarts Crunchy Poppers and Pringles products at the roadside convenience stores.

Craig brings over 15 years of global business and finance experience, including leading finance divisions across various Mars portfolios.

Consumers can delight in Dunkin's festive favorites, like its Cookie Butter Donut, plus its new almond croissant.

Some candies don’t fit neatly into one column or another. That’s okay; the “other” candies like marshmallows, spreads, interactive novelty items, and such seem to be fitting into consumers’ candy budgets just fine. 

It makes sense that mint sales are up (though modestly, when looking at units sold) as recovery from the effects of the pandemic marches on. 

Chocolate is a treat that will never go out of style—whether it’s a consumer purchasing it for their own consumption, or perhaps as a gift for friends or family, it is a well-loved dessert. 

Bars remain big business—the portability, flavor variety, better-for-you options, and other attributes of the bakery category appeals to hungry commuters, on-the-go moms and their offspring, health-conscious snackers, and other consumer segments.

Consumers have been looking to eat healthier, and producers are responding, offering multigrain, keto, and other options for loaf bread.

Buns and rolls will never not be valued in the U.S.—whether you’re a carnivore, flexitarian, or vegetarian, you’re inevitably going to be eating a hamburger or perhaps veggie burger this summer. 

Cookies are a bakery treat that fit in many places—solo snacking sessions, birthdays and special occasions, tucked into lunchboxes for school or work consumption, and more. 

Cookies are a bakery treat that fit in many places—solo snacking sessions, birthdays, and special occasions, tucked into lunchboxes for school or work consumption, and more. 

This month’s eMagazine explores the field’s current health and future success.

Hungry consumers continue to start their day with flavorful, convenient breakfast goods.

With more consumers attending gatherings, the dessert category is having a renaissance. 

Consumers are choosing frozen over delivery demand quality and variety in their pizzas.