Since the beginning of 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began its destructive spread across the earth, the baking industry has seen highs and lows unlike any other time in history. This unprecedented challenge has reshaped our world, and much of the industry is emerging stronger than ever.

Brownie Brittle, the snack known for its thin treats, is debuting a new look.

Let’s take a look at how we can transform a basic brownie into a value-added product through the use of key functional ingredients and eye-catching inclusions.

The snack cakes and loaves sector showed great promise over the last 12 months, presumably because consumers are now out and about more, and they want individual servings or on-the-go bakery snacks to fit their busy lifestyles.

The collective puffed, popped, pellet and extruded snack segment continues to see positive sales activity and a strong level of product innovation.

Passion underpins the dedication to invest the time and resources required to bake bread with unmistakable Old World artisan flavor, appearance and texture. And strong business sense leads such bakers to judiciously capitalize on the technological tools available to help bring those truly artisan breads to a wide customer base without compromising craftsmanship.

To successfully bake products requires an astute blend of art and science. A fundamental ingredient in the baking process is the leavening agent. Leavening contributes essential sensory characteristics to bakery products.

Organic baking brand debuts redesigned logo, refreshed packaging, and two new SKU's.

Consumers are reading labels more, looking for products that are nutritious, with ingredients that are easy to understand and that work with their family's budget. While there's no official definition of "clean label," consumers and the snack and bakery industry have their own definition in mind.

Crackers maintain far-reaching appeal. But while the category benefits from increased consumer interest in snacking, crackers have experienced intensified competition from other foods within salty snacks and beyond.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., shoppers began to frantically stock up on select food products. Due to its convenience and comfort-food appeal, frozen pizza was a top choice, and retailers soon found themselves with dwindling supplies as American society braced for the worst.

MECATHERM has launched the Authentik Baguette, a solution that allows manufacturers to meet the new expectations of consumers looking for more authentic products, with a product positioned midway between the classic baguette and the artisan-style baguette. 

This month’s digital edition features a range of in-depth features and industry news.

Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery is pleased to announce that it has named Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle as its 2018 Bakery of the Year.

When Sheila G's Brownie Brittle hit the market in 2011, it redefined the cookie category forever. It's like the brownie’s edges, crispy and full of rich, chocolate flavor, the best part of the brownie. As a bonus, Brownie Brittle is lower in calories than traditional brownies, and is highly snackable.

Crackers are a product category that has nearly universal appeal. Consumers are snacking more often, especially in light of the recent pandemic, and the expanding variety of crackers on the market today make them a natural fit for nearly any snacking occasion.

The puffed and extruded snacks category has grown-up, and the market is seeing some diverse company.

Quest Nutrition has launched its Quest Bake Shop line, featuring Chocolate Brownies, Blueberry Muffins, and Chocolate Chip Muffins.

The ingredients innovator in the bakery, sweet goods, and chocolate industry hosted its annual Taste Tomorrow conference in Austin this week.

Bakery snacks, including key segments like pastries, doughnuts, muffins, snack cakes and more, remain a staple in Americans' snacking routines. Whether shoppers are looking for an indulgent snack or a better-for-you item, there's something for everyone.

While there are many ways to enjoy snacking on prunes, Sunsweet created these new products to deliver on the increased consumer demand for better-for-you snacks.

Category analysis for fresh bread products like breads, buns, rolls, bagels, and English muffins, including sales data and product development strategies.

State of the Industry analysis of the fresh bread category, including sandwich and loaf bread products, bagels, and English muffins.

State of the Industry analysis of the fresh bread category, including coverage of loaf and sandwich breads, artisan breads, bagels, and English muffins.

Tortillas, always one of the most versatile breads, had extra mileage to accomplish this past year: consumers wanted better-for-you options for their tacos, flautas, and fajitas. They also wanted these to be easily accessible at their local grocery stores so that they could cook at home during the pandemic.

In response to continued consumer demand for label-friendly ingredients, Cargill has expanded its processing capabilities of its sweetener plant in Cikande, Indonesia, to more than double the company’s production capacity for organic, non-GMO tapioca syrup.

The launch capitalizes on rising trends in brownie consumption and gluten-free treats.

The company’s goal was to create a treat with the same appearance, taste, and texture profile as its original brownie recipe.

Using advanced technology, a cross-functional operational strategy and effective collaboration tools, Blue Diamond’s ‘dream plant,’ a multimillion-dollar almond-processing facility in Turlock, CA, is a reality. The nearly 200,000-sq.-ft. site sets new standards of excellence for food safety, processing and building innovation. 

Going for LEED Silver certification, Blue Diamond Growers’ new, state-of-the-art almond production plant in Turlock, CA, features nearly 200,000 sq. ft. of sophisticated almond technology, setting new standards of excellence for food safety, processing and building innovation. 

Demand for chocolate in snack and bakery items is driven by two core consumers: Luxury seekers; and healthy snack eaters who both share a common desire for great-tasting chocolate produced in a sustainable fashion. 

BNP Media Plumbing Group Multimedia Editor Nadia Askar recently sat down with Michael Whiteside, president and owner of Chicago-based MIFAB.

Should you hire apprentices instead of journeymen and master plumbers? Some contractors are finding more long-term success by building their team from the ground up.

The future for young women in this industry is now as bright as anyone wants it to be. If a young woman wants to work her way all the way up to the C-suite, the opportunities are there, and that is so exciting to see.

Every year during May, the International Code Council holds its Building Safety Month campaign to help raise awareness about the importance of building safety and educate the public on how to ensure their communities are resilient and sustainable.

The skilled trades industry is evolving as more Gen Z workers choose trades over college. Efforts to obtain certifications through learning modules and hands-on training are becoming integrated into daily work routines, helping tradespeople build long-lasting careers and enabling businesses to succeed.

Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke had the chance to chat with Jason Klaus, senior sales manager of HammerHead Trenchless about the growing market demand and the benefits of offering trenchless solutions.

As the world continues to search for solutions to reduce and eliminate carbon emissions, the plumbing industry suddenly finds itself at the forefront of change.

BuyFin Payment Processing, which is offered in conjunction with third-party partners, helps business owners get paid faster from customers with competitive processing rates and a best-in-class technology platform, the company states.

“Water quality has grown 300% across the U.S. since the pandemic began,” says Glen Blavet, founder and CEO of HALO Water Systems. “People are at home, and they’re looking to improve their quality of life and their health, so they’re looking at the water they’re drinking out of the tap.”

There’s no doubt about it, concern over water quality is becoming more prevalent. One just had to walk the trade show floor during the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) to see plenty of new water filtration and management systems, some even dispensing sparkling water by user preference.

In the world of business, challenges are inevitable. Economic shifts, changing consumer demands and unforeseen crises are part and parcel of running a company.

This year, High 5 pLUMBING ranked No. 7 in the small business category.

Water scarcity and quality are widespread issues in the US. Embracing sustainability is crucial to the evolution of plumbing, with tried-and-true fixtures and new advances making a healthier, more water-efficient reality possible.

Customer segments serviced by Toronto-based Crownhill include public sector agencies, industrial products, consumer goods and e-commerce.

Report says plastic substitution and environmentally friendly packaging trends should provide a tailwind for carton growth over the forecast period.

As natural gas rates increase and the push for more sustainable energy sources intensifies, heat pump water heaters appear poised for massive growth. States such as California and Massachusetts already have regulations prohibiting or disincentivizing gas water heaters in new construction, and New York City recently enacted similar restrictions for new construction. So, are heat pump water heaters the future of the water heating market? Maybe or maybe not — but some industry experts certainly think so.

Every industry in the United States is currently feeling the constraints of the labor shortage. Employers continue to struggle to bring in new workers and keep existing ones. Job openings far outnumber individuals looking for work — in March, there were 11.5 million jobs to fill, and not enough workers to fill them, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary. 

According to estimates published by market research institute Frost & Sullivan in 2021, the market for industrial exoskeletons will reach an average annual growth rate in excess of 40% over the coming years and reach a market volume of over $400M by 2025.

Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a 50% increase in its fire-hazmat personal and area gas monitor business in the last year alone.