The non-GMO revolution

     The non-GMO revolution

Overall, better-for-you snacks continue to grow at a faster rate than the snack category 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 ending 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.

Looking to subcategories, SPINS showed sales of organic snacks jumped 18%, gluten-free up 10% and non-GMO 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-GMO and organic, especially among millennials,” Mr. Brinkman said. “These consumers want to know not only what they are eating but also how it’s made and sourced.”