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.

Near the end of December 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, Wuhan City, China, reported several pneumonia cases that officials eventually tied to a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, now generally known as COVID-19.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, snack and bakery companies increase and adjust sanitation procedures for their facilities.

Industrial commercial bakeries look to dough customization machines like water chillers, water meters, ice makers, and automated dough scoring units to improve and automate the dough process, primarily during mixing.

From cloud computing to the Internet of Things (IoT), Industry 4.0 is essential for modern-day snack and bakery companies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Snack food and wholesale bakery companies in the market for machines that help prepare, store, transport, and otherwise handle ingredients are most focused on qualities like automation, ease of maintenance, and the ability to deliver higher performance in throughput and accuracy.

State of the Industry Overview for bakery, including a look at baking industry challenges like the supply chain, workforce development, impact from the war in Europe, and the pandemic.

Back by popular demand, Sandwi-chips, crafted with Herr’s flavor expertise, feature bold condiment flavors and a hearty crunch that aims to complement sandwiches.

The chip will make its theatrical movie debut in The Garfield Movie in May, and is celebrating with a limited-edition Garfield-themed bag, a larger-than-life mural, and more.

Available now through September, the chips' fiery flavor builds off the original Utz Mike’s Hot Honey chips but with three times the heat.

The mother-daughter company seeks to provide treats that bring people together.

Both products deliver an elevated snacking experience that blend together two favorite classic snacks into one product. 

On August 4, Pots & Co. will be releasing its Apple & Cinnamon Crumble at Midwest Costco locations.

Grocery retailers across the country now have even more choices to offer in-store bakery shoppers when it comes to pies.

Ernie and the Elves are bringing magic to holiday traditions with the launch of Elf Limited-Edition Keebler Gingerbread Fudge Stripes and new Keebler Pretzel Pie Crusts.

The better-for-you items from Iron Chef Ming Tsai are hitting the club store.

Hitting shelves nationwide the first week of April, the launch marks the latest expansion from Del Real Foods.

Solely has introduced two products this September at Target, Sprouts, and Thrive Market.

The owner of Nana's Chicken & Waffles and Food Network personality will launch a waffle mix under her "Kooking with Kelli" brand.

The sweet-and-savory snack joins the producer’s Classic Butter and Extra Butter popcorn varieties already on shelves.

Cranberry Walnut Loaf and Savory Holiday Rolls hit store shelves nationwide.

The brand is returning two favorites to shelves: its Cranberry Walnut Loaf and Take & Bake Savory Holiday Rolls.

Product manufacturers need to continuously evaluate portfolio strategies to defend financial goals and positioning for the short- and long-term.

Snack mix and nut products have extended their reach over the past year as consumers continue to seek varieties that are full of flavor innovation and adventure. “On-the-go” snack packs also appeal to consumers, and some have bold, new flavors that will make them stand out on the grocery store shelves.

Consumers can add eggs, butter or oil, and water for homemade baked goods with the new mixes.

Café Valley is introducing a new line of Girl Scout Cookie-inspired mini cupcakes, available beginning in August in five different flavors.

The new 12-count mini cupcakes are rolling out to select retailers nationwide now.

The limited-time bakery treat is made with Miyoko’s Cinnamon Brown Sugar Oat Milk Butter.

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. 

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.

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

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

To overcome industry obstacles and entice consumers, producers are getting creative.

Laminators and sheeters need to evolve as quickly as customers needs do, delivering state-of-the-art advantages, high performance and flexibility to meet increased user demands.

Laminators and sheeters continue as essential components of many bakery operations, thanks to several prevailing consumer trends.

Ease of cleaning, maintenance and access, as well as the ability to produce a wider variety of items, are among the top desires of companies looking to purchase dough laminators and sheeters for production of snack foods and baked goods.

Dough comes in many styles, and today's laminators and sheeters need to accommodate an increasing range of requirements.

Effectively and efficiently handling dough is integral to many snack and bakery operations. And the needs producers have today are diverse.

Automation, ease of operation, simple cleanability, hygienic design, operator safety, and the ability to process nontraditional and healthier ingredients are among the top of mind requests for snack and bakery operators looking to buy or upgrade laminators or sheeters.

The American Bakers Association’s Bakers Manufacturing Academy has launched a new specialized course for cracker operations: the Sheeting and Laminating Lesson.   

In partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Polaris Dawn mission, Doritos' first-ever space chip fuels awareness and funds for childhood cancer research and treatment.

Salsa Verde joins three other flavors (Queso, Zesty Ranch, and Cinnamon Churro)in the Fiesta Twists lineup.

Frito-Lay's Flamin’ Hot portfolio, encompassing 25 unique products, is coming together as an official brand and stepping out with a fierce new look.  

The line marks the brand’s first foray into extruded snack territory.

The plant-based snack company features limited-edition Minions-themed pack designs on all puffs and veggie straw flavors and special pack sizes.

Mission MightyMe’s expansion to brick-and-mortar retail for the first time will lead to new brand discovery, making it even easier for families to follow pediatric recommendations to include nuts in babies’ diets early and often. 

The limited-edition edible is Dr. Norm’s take on one of America’s most popular snacking obsessions.

The snacks, unveiled earlier this year and previewed at Sweets & Snacks Expo, are a permanent addition to the brand portfolio.

Kemin Industries, a provider of shelf-life extension and food safety solutions that help manufacturers protect their food and beverage products, is adding a new antioxidant to its portfolio of antioxidant solutions.