18 Snacks & Conf:Layout 1 05/03/2010 13:04 Page 18
Snacks & Confectionery
A
ccording to NPD data, the
top ten snacks eaten in the
afternoon are:
1. Fresh Fruit
2. Gum
3. Chocolate Candy/Candy
Bars
4. Potato Chips
5. Breath Mints/Strips
6. Non-Chocolate Candy
7. Nuts
8. Cookies
9. Tortilla Chips
10. Crackers.
With fresh fruit at number one,
it’s clear that the consumer is a
lot more health conscious than he
is often given credit for and that a
little treat now and again does
little harm to an otherwise
healthy, balanced diet.
Eating habits are informed by a
number of factors - it is unfair to
suggest that the vending industry
alone is responsible for damaging
the long term health of the next
generation. As an industry, we
must offer consumers the choice
with healthy products sitting
alongside more traditional snacks
Snacking an integral part
of modern life
The UK's best-selling confectionery brand, 47 KitKats are eaten every second on average says the BBC. With the demise of the lunch
hour, time poor consumers in need of a quick fix will crave high fat, sugary food with little concern for its content - right?
Vending International investigates...
and confectionery which, if eaten in moderation will not do any real dare we say it, healthier palate. There are now a number of takes on
harm. The choice the consumer makes when faced with this old favourites low in sugar, salt and fat designed to ensure brand
selection, will be determined by a number of key influences; joined loyalty, together with a generous serving of new products, all
up action is needed if the right decision is to be made. whetting the consumer’s appetite for more.
With the media shining its spotlight on the obesity issue, brands Snacking is by its nature impulsive, so it’s no surprise that the sale of
have responded to calls for healthier alternatives by creating vended food and drink is in demand in a number of locations and settings.
products that meet the consumer’s rising expectations about food. More often than not, the consumer’s vending machine spend is
Despite fears it would harm sales, the ban on ‘junk food’ in schools, neither budgeted, nor accounted for, so even when finances are
together with other government and community initiatives designed strained, purchases like these will remain in tact. Research suggests
to improve our eating habits, has opened up a number of marketing that the ‘work hard, play hard' mentality prevalent in today’s society
opportunities. Manufacturers have carried out extensive research will ensure that break time remains synonymous with snacking for
into the age and life stage of various target groups, responding to many years to come, which is why there should always be a wide
the demand with products that appeal to a more discerning, and selection of foods to choose from.
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