Food Business News - January 4, 2022 - 16

Campbell's sees three trends
driving snack innovation
RedHot sauce and Jalapeño Popper Goldfish
crackers. The company also is expanding
the Goldfish brand in 2022 with the
introduction of Goldfish Mega Bites.
The permissible indulgence pillar
will include both sweet and savory snacks.
On tap for the coming year are chocolate
Milanos from Pepperidge Farm, new flavors
of Late July snacks and Pretzel Crisps
Bites.
The expanded occasions pillar
CAMDEN, NJ. - Three pillars support the
Campbell Soup Co.'s snack innovation
strategy - twists on the familiar, permissible
indulgence and expanded occasions.
" We selected these three spaces based
on our research, reflecting consumers' insights,
growth rates, size of prize and our
unique right to win, " said Valerie J. Oswalt,
president of Campbell Snacks, during a
presentation at Campbell Soup's virtual
investor day in December.
The twists on the familiar pillar focuses
on consumer demand for variety. In
2021, new products that offered consumers
more variety included limited-edition
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish with Frank's
reflects consumer expectations that their
preferred snacks will be easy to find, in the
right pack size and formulated to fit their
lifestyle. Ms. Oswalt pointed to innovation
in pretzels as an example of how the
company is capitalizing on expanded
occasions.
" In the pretzel aisle, flavors are growing
four times faster than unflavored, " she
said. " So, in early 2020, we doubled down
on our flavors. "
The result was the introduction of
Twisted Pretzel Sticks introduced under
the Snyder's of Hanover brand.
" Twisted Pretzel Sticks were made
using a different technology and approach
to flavor, " Ms. Oswalt said. " Our pretzel
team also brought this product to market
General Mills eyes technology
upgrades at Tennessee plant
its Yoplait yogurt and Pillsbury refrigerated
and frozen dough products plant in
Murfreesboro.
" We are proud to make beloved brands
MURFREESBORO, TENN. - General Mills, Inc.
has announced it will invest $65 million
to upgrade technology and equipment at
16
Food Business News
like Yoplait and Pillsbury for consumers
across the US right here in Rutherford
County, " said Dave Tincher, plant manager
at the Murfreesboro plant. " Middle Tennessee,
and particularly Rutherford County,
continues to partner with employers on
programs that benefit existing companies
as well as attract new companies to drive
growth in the region. This investment will
allow our Murfreesboro plant to remain
competitive in the marketplace. "
Flavored pretzels
are growing four
times faster than
unflavored pretzels.
SNYDER'S OF HANOVER
in weeks, not months, using our insights
engine and agile approach to innovation.
" In addition to our flavor innovation,
we have applied price pack architecture
to the pretzel platform to capitalize on
the larger sizes that are driving growth in
pretzels. "
Now the company is bringing this
approach to its Snack Factory brand.
" We're taking flavor growth and
applying it to the deli with Snack Factory
Bites, a new occasion of hand-to-mouth
munching versus dipped or topped Pretzel
Crisps, " Ms. Oswalt said.
During the investor day presentation,
Ms. Oswalt emphasized that the snacking
occasion is growing and is projected to
continue growing. Citing data from the
market researcher Mintel, she said 78% of
consumers believe snacking can be a part
of a healthy diet and that 69% of consumers
want snacks that balance health and
taste.
" Our goal is to ensure that our snacks
are everyday premium or elevated, " she
said. " And while we are elevated, we are
not exclusive. We want to be accessible
whenever and wherever people need us
within arm's reach. " FBN
The $65 million
investment will
improve technology
and equipment at
the facility.
GOOGLE MAPS
General Mills said its $65 million
investment will focus on technology
and equipment improvements. The
investment also will help the plant's
operations become more efficient to
meet increased consumer demand, the
company said.
" With production facilities around
the world, we are pleased that they chose
to reinvest in Murfreesboro, " said Bill
Jones, chairman of Destination Rutherford.
" General Mills commitment will
ensure that we will keep 1,000 well-paying
jobs and the resulting tax revenue in
our community. " FBN
January 4, 2022
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
CAMPBELL SOUP CO.
Food Business News - January 4, 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Business News - January 4, 2022
