As Life Changes, So Do The Meal Choices
Another year has passed, and life has changed again for many Americans, which means that eating habits are changing too. In this issue our contributing editor Marilyn Hirsch explores the functional food category, which is growing in importance as consumers return to the workplace and engage their attention in their occupation. It is quite possible that consumers have less time to pre-plan their meals during their busy workday once again, which will be a dramatic change from having a kitchen nearby as they were working from home. They will have to consider the availability of refrigeration and the need to transport their meal choices, which will likely lead them down an entirely different eating path. A path that is likely to lead them again to the snack category.
The snack category offerings have demonstrated many interesting changes through the last decade, most notable of which, is a gradual improvement in the ingredients and purpose brought on by Americans demand for healthier foods. Snacks are now consumed for more reasons than just satisfying hunger cravings between meals. A snack occasion today is more likely to be satisfied by a food product that is more nutritious and great tasting. That means that the snack category has grown beyond offering high-calorie treats like snack cakes, pies, and candy that were popular in my youth. I guess you can say the category has become very sophisticated and even scientific.
The intersection of the desire that consumers have to eat responsibly, while living a lifestyle that is conducive to carrying a portable snack has spawned this new category of snacks that are functional and offer a satisfying eating experience at the same time. The evolution of these snacks has led to the creation of small and potent edibles that are formulated to deliver necessary dietary protein but also satisfy consumers desire to achieve balanced nutrition to fuel their bodies throughout the day. In this issue you will learn about some of the new offerings in this functional snack category that follow this important consumer trend.
