Our Little Rebellion snacks
Sales of better-for-you snacks continue to expand at a faster rate than the total snack category, and they’re becoming an increasingly vital part of the industry as a whole.
 

Overall, sales of better-for-you snacks continue to expand at a faster rate than the total snack category, and they’re becoming an increasingly vital part of the industry as a whole. According to SPINS data supplied by BFY Brands, dollar sales for natural, organic and specialty chips, pretzels and snacks rose 6.3% compared with 1.5% for conventional snacks for the 52 weeks ended Dec. 28, 2016.

“Granted, natural and organic make up only 11% of the overall snack category, but they’re contributing about 31% of the industry’s growth,” noted Gunther Brinkman, vice-president, contract manufacturing, Ideal Snacks, which is part of BFY Brands, Liberty, N.Y.

Looking into various subcategories, SPINS showed sales of organic snacks jumped 18% last year, gluten-free was up 10% and non-G.M.O. increased at an 8.7% clip.

“We’re seeing activity not only in nutritionally better-for-you snacks but also in what we call ‘ethical better for you’ products, such as non-G.M.O. and organic, especially among millennials,” Mr. Brinkman told Baking & Snack magazine for its June issue. “These consumers want to know not only what they are eating but also how it’s made and sourced.”

In addition to co-manufacturing, BFY Brands produces more wholesome snacks under the Our Little Rebellion label. To ensure its branded products are Non-GMO Project verified, the company purchases non-bioengineered corn from 59 Nebraska farmers and encourages its consumers to “join the corn revolution.” That’s how BFY Brands is differentiating itself from the competition.