Sweets and Snacks
NPD Names Sweets and Snacks Expo Consumer Award Winners
The NPD Group announced the winners of its inaugural consumer awards during the Sweets and Snacks Expo, hosted by the National Confectioners Association in Chicago, May 24-25. The awards, presented by NPD’s food and beverage practice to the winning sweets and snacks manufacturers, were based on the highest share of eatings together with needs, motivations, mood, situations, or occasions that influenced the snack or treat selection, according to the company’s SnackTrack service, which continually tracks treat and snack consumption attitudes and behaviors.
“The sweets and snacks industry plays an essential role in meeting various consumer needs, like on-the-go convenience, a morning boost, or a ‘happy’ treat,” says Darren Seifer, NPD food and beverage industry analyst. “Through our consumer awards, we wanted to recognize how the industry focuses on their consumers in multiple ways, giving them just what they need and want.”
The NPD Group Sweets and Snacks Expo Consumer Awards
Happy Consumer Award – Top snack cake consumed when happy:
Hostess Cupcakes/Company: Hostess
Take It With Me Award – Top snack cake consumed on the go:
Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcakes/Company: McKee Foods
Morning Boost Award – Top diet bars consumed during morning occasions:
Atkins Bars/Company: The Simply Good Foods Company
Premium Chocolate Choice Award — Top premium chocolate candy brand consumed:
Godiva/Company: Godiva Chocolate
Holiday Ace Award – Non-Chocolate Candy — Top chewy candy consumed on major holidays:
Haribo Goldbears/Company: Haribo
Can’t Put It Down Award — Top brand consumed more than 3x in the same day:
Tic Tac/Company: Ferrero
Healthy Lunch Box Award — Top better-for-you snack food consumed at school:
Mott’s Applesauce/Company: Keurig Dr Pepper
Mom, I Want It Award – Top candy requested by kids:
Snickers/Company: Mars
Favorite Savory Snack Award – Top savory snack consumed as a “favorite snack”:
Lay’s Classic/Company: Frito-Lay
Favorite Sweet Snack Award – Top sweet snack consumed as a “favorite snack”:
Oreo/Company: Mondelēz International
Holiday Ace for Chocolate Candy Award – Top chocolate brand consumed on major holidays:
Hershey’s Kisses/Company: The Hershey Company
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Barry Callebaut Adds Dairy-Free Organic Chocolate
Barry Callebaut, a leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, is expanding its plant-based Plant Craft portfolio by adding dairy-free organic chocolate to its North American line.
Eighty-one percent of consumers are seeking chocolates that not only taste great but are also “good for me and good for the planet,” according to Barry Callebaut’s new report, “The Future of Indulgence,” which was unveiled at the Sweets & Snacks Show May 24.
Dairy-free organic chocolate joins the Plant Craft portfolio including the recently launched dairy-free compound, classic dairy-free chocolates, and cocoa powders. The portfolio also includes nut solutions and Cacaofruit Experiences – the pulp, juice and concentrate directly from the Cacaofruit. The Plant Craft range includes solutions for confectionery, bakery, ice cream applications and beyond.
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Fave U.K. Cake Mr Kipling Now in U.S. stores
Mr Kipling, the No. 1 cake brand in the United Kingdom and Australia, has arrived on U.S. shores. The array of high-quality, beautifully portioned cakes were stocked bakery shelves at 219 Target stores across the nation in April. Premier Foods will showcase its new cakes at IDDBA 2022.
Each cake slice is packed in individual pods to keep them moist and fresh. The portable packs allow consumers to take a well-deserved cake break anywhere, anytime; at home, at work, on the go or packed in a lunchbox.
Mr Kipling Cake slices are available in Lemon, Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel and are featured in the bakery section of Target stores. These patisserie-style cakes create a 100 percent incremental, low labor, freeze thaw snacking solution to the in store bakery section. The launch will be supported with sampling, outdoor advertising and a digital coupon campaign.
“Mr Kipling is the perfect fit for the U.S. market, filling the gap between consumers’ desire for high-quality sweet treats and the need for convenient, easy snacking formats,” said Diana Horwitz, U.S. country manager for Premier Foods. “Our research revealed consumers are wowed by the quality of our cakes and how fresh they taste, plus they loved their look – the European patisserie aesthetic. These beautiful cakes are perfect for a coffee break at home or easy to slip into a backpack for snacking on the go.”
The slices are now available in the bakery section of 219 Target stores in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin.
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