Category Leadership Awards: Produce Snacks

The produce snack category continues to expand as consumers prioritize better-for-you options.

“Naturipe Farms Snacks’ Berry Buddies, specifically the Berries & Pancakes variety, has risen to the top. We believe there are several reasons for its success, starting with the great-tasting fresh blueberries and the fun of dipping mini pancakes in real maple syrup. It’s interactive for kids, easy for parents to pack, and makes eating feel more like a playful experience than just another snack. There are very few fresh options like it,” remarked Steven Ware, VP and General Manager, Value Added at Naturipe Farms.

He added, “Understanding shoppers’ wants and needs is essential to developing new products, so we spend a lot of time looking at trends and listening to what consumers are asking for. A great example of that is SnackBites, which we created after seeing the growing demand for protein and fresh, convenient snacking options.”

Naturipe stands apart from the competition in a number of ways. Ware detailed, “Everything starts with our farmers and owners, who bring their passion for berries to life every day. Because we source berries directly from our grower-owners, our vertically integrated model gives us greater control over quality from the field to the finished product. That means fresher, better-tasting berries and a consistently high-quality snacking experience for consumers.”

“We know consumers already love berries, so we focus on pairing premium fruit with convenient, portable snack formats that fit into every kind of lifestyle. Our wash process also helps provide a safe, extended shelf life across our fresh snacking lineup, giving us another edge within the snacking category. It allows consumers to keep fresh snacks on hand longer, making it easier to choose berries even on their busiest days.”

Crunch Pak, known for its sliced apples, aims to make fresh snacks convenient. The company recently launched a comprehensive rebrand to improve shelf visibility and simplify healthy snacking decisions for busy families.

“Our newly designed logo emphasizes the concept of ‘Crunch,’ capturing both the emotion and sensation associated with fresh produce,” said Andy Kimbrel, Executive Vice President of Crunch Pak. “This focus aligns our visual identity with the core experience of our products. We are confident that the updated brand architecture will enhance communication with consumers. Furthermore, it enables us to unify the brand elements from our licensee partners, creating a consistent and cohesive appearance across our entire product line.”

Reichel Foods, a leading fresh-cut produce snack manufacturer known for its flagship Dippin’ Stix and PRO2snax brands, also refreshed its packaging to strengthen shelf appeal. “We’re thrilled to introduce packaging that not only showcases our commitment to quality and convenience but also reflects the evolving needs of today’s consumers,” commented Craig Reichel, CEO of Reichel Foods. 

“Our goal has always been to offer fresh, healthy snack options that fit seamlessly into busy lifestyles, and this packaging refresh helps us do just that.”