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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

There is nothing like a pandemic to test a company's limitations. While food producers received official designation as "essential" businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on the American food industry, continuing operations during the pandemic did not equate to business as usual.

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.

This past year was unlike any other throughout our history as a nation, and the snack and bakery industry saw significant impact.

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

Reviewing and revising sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic descended upon America in early 2020, the American population began reacting to their new reality, and it was clear that snack and bakery production across the country would face a clear challenge. People were stocking up on supplies at an alarming rate, and the rush was on to keep grocery store shelves stocked.

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.

Traceability takes a top spot in modern food industry food safety strategies, following every aspect of the supply chain through manufacturing and to the point of consumer purchase.

The snack and bakery industry continues to face a difficult road when it comes to staffing. Challenges related to filling open positions for skilled and unskilled production personnel have persisted for years. But the past several months have proven particularly trying as employers seek to fill available jobs with individuals from an increasingly wary, pandemic-weary America.

Building consumer trust, understanding a product’s life cycle, and addressing challenges like increasing costs and the supply chain.

"In 1970, my dad and uncle opened our first restaurant," says Daniel Schwartz, president, Schwartz Brothers Bakery, Renton, WA. "Three years later, they opened a concept called The Sandwich Shop and Pie Place. They were looking to source the very best pies to serve at their restaurant, and they couldn’t find any that they liked."

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.

For the past several years, the baking industry has faced a long list of serious, ongoing challenges.

The new kettle cooked potato chips are available in three flavors: Original, Zesty Jalapeno, and Sweet Maui Onion. 

As flavors inspired by the tastes of Greece, India and Korea hit store shelves across America, Lay's offers fans the chance to win a trip to one of the origins countries.

​​​​​​Parker Products, a provider of inclusions and other specialty ingredients for the baking, dairy, beverage, confectionery, RTE and snack, and foodservice industries, has announced that cookie manufacturer Creative Food Ingredients (CFI) has joined the Parker portfolio.

The items include Cinnabon churros, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and Subway cookies.

Rold Gold Waffles, with a lattie shape, is the brand's newest offering.

The producer’s CPG products also include frozen meals, sides, and other food items.

The collection includes chocolate-covered pretzels, graham crackers, and sandwich cookies, plus strawberry delights and Linzer cookies filled with raspberry jam. 

Each tin includes four 3-oz. bags of chocolate-covered grahams, chocolate-covered pretzels, chocolate caramel bites with pretzel crunch, and caramels with sea salt.

Bonnie & Pop has consumers covered for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa gifting options.

Whether it is apple, pumpkin, pecan, blueberry, cherry, peach, Key lime, lemon meringue, coconut cream, sweet potato, mince or countless more, the sweet, savory tastes are as American as... well, you know.

Tastykake recently released its spring seasonal lineup of treats, which are available for a limited time through May.

Schwan’s Consumer Brands, Inc.—a subsidiary of Schwan’s Company that offers trusted retail brands throughout the frozen-food category—has pushed forward in its innovation efforts and will launch new products under the Edwards brand.

Diamond of California, the century-old producer of “Made for Homemade” specialty nuts, has announced the launch of a new chocolate flavor, of their ready-to-use Nut Pie Crusts, available now on both store shelves nationwide, and online with Amazon. 

The ongoing pandemic has certainly shifted consumer attitudes and behaviors when it come to foods and the foods they choose. Consumers are looking to connect with food and are gravitating to more familiar comfort foods and indulgent items.

The all-natural pie company expands into the healthy frozen snack category with almond butter and fruit sandwiches.

With this transaction, which closed on Dec. 22, Table Talk hopes to return the closed facility to its key position in the Canadian sweet goods industry.

The Kraft Singles Apple Pie tops a single-serve pie with a piece of American cheese.

All of Magnolia Bakery's holiday products below are available to ship nationwide right to consumers' doors.

Stacy's Rise Pies, available now through Thanksgiving, aim to help drive awareness of the disparity in funding for women business owners.

Company product development experts bring 24 new products to operators that reduce costs, increase menu differentiation.

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

Available in three flavors, Totino’s new Breakfast Snack Bites are ready in just two minutes

Four products in bright Hooters orange packs are now available in over 1,300 Publix Super Markets nationwide.

Made famous for its tangy and sweet BBQ sauce flavor, premium beef, and savory crust, Hot Pockets BBQ Recipe Beef is back by popular demand.

The company has been manufacturing premium mozzarella sticks since it was founded in 2015.

One of the U.S.’s fastest-growing Chinese dumpling brands continues to expand its product line and retail footprint.

Two of the producer’s Wings flavors, Buffalo and Korean BBQ, will be offered at more than 100 of the stores across the U.S.

The private-label producer’s products include mozzarella sticks, potato wedges, and other appetizers.

Holidays have arrived at First Watch, as the breakfast, brunch, and lunch concept has launched its limited-time seasonal menu.

The new seasonal stack includes four buttermilk pancakes loaded with bacon and topped with maple glaze, diced bacon, a bacon strip and whipped topping.