Today, snacking is more acceptable and is clearly the fourth meal of the day. Twenty one percent of all meals are snacks.—23rd Annual Report on Eating Patterns in America, September 2008

One of the next “big” trends in the confection industry for 2009 through 2014 are healthier confection options, specifically a growing demand for health benefits and ‘better for you’ ingredients. Consumers are finding new ways to incorporate traditional candy as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.–National Confectioners Association, Industry Report June 2009

Of all confectionary sales, chocolate accounts for 59% of all dollars sold, while non-chocolate candy is 31% and gum is 10%.—US Department of Commerce Census Bureau 2008

The sales of snack mixes are exploding, and there is increasing consumer demand for trail mixes as a good tasting food that has nutritional benefit. People are looking for higher-end mixes rather than traditional mixes with M&M’s in it. Consumers want something a little bit healthier, that are focused on particular functional areas like an antioxidant trail mix, a fiber mix or an energy mix.—Confection & Snack Retailing, September 2008

As of March 2009, the sales of snack nuts were over $1 billion in sales.—Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, June 2009

Snack Consumers are embracing a “value” mentality that prices quality and “whole” ingredients, “better for you” recipes, and green production practices. Consumers are looking for snacks with fewer additives or preservatives, and even spending extra dollars for organic and premium snack treats that can boost their flagging spirits over the long climb back to prosperity.—Packaged Facts, “Sweet & Salty/Savory Snacks in the US”, Sept 14, 2009

Packaged Facts projects snack sales to near $82 billion by 2013, a total market increase of 20%. Consumers are snacking more than ever, thanks to pull-backs in restaurant dining, harried lifestyles that reduce opportunities for sit-down meals, and a growing consensus that several small meals or snacks during the day are actually healthier than the three-square meal paradigm.—Packaged Facts, “Sweet & Salty/Savory Snacks in the US”, Sept 14, 2009

-A new study forecasts what Americans will be eating in the future, and it looks like they’ll be eating a whole lot of snacks. In-home snacking – morning, noon, and night, but especially morning – will outpace population growth over the next decade. –NPD Group, “A Look into the Future of Eating”, Aug 31, 2009