2018 Sweets and Snacks Expo Favorite Finds and Trends – Summary of the unique finds from the trade show including vegetable chips and puffs, dark and white chocolate additions, protein packed snacks, spicy and sour treats and so much more.
When you go to a trade show where the name is the Sweets and Snacks Expo, how excited would you be? The opportunity to sample a vast assortment of candy and salty snacks from well-known and new brands is bound to make anyone happy. The catch is only those who work in the channels that support this industry are able to attend. It is not open to the public.
Held in Chicago, this trade show welcomes a select group of industry guests whose purpose is to sell, manufacture, design or promote a wide assortment of salty and sweet treats. The brands’ goals are to gain new business from retailers and ultimately, consumers.
This year’s show was packed with over 800 exhibitors from small to global companies each looking to share their new products, recipes, packaging, alliances, healthy options and food discoveries with the attendees.
Some takeaways include the following innovations:
- Mushrooms snacks
- Old favorites going to white or dark chocolate
- Coconut
- Snacks made with vegetables
- Creative chip flavors
- SOUR!
- Protein showing up in bars, salty snacks and sweets
- Chocolate with a health advantage
- Caramel
What’s your favorite?
If you like mushrooms, then you will have many snack options to enjoy:
Pea protein was a common thread:
Vegetable puffs:
Chip pairings:
Taking Hot Tamales to the next level with Fire & Ice. Hot and spicy and then cool and minty:
Sweet and salty:
Many dark chocolate options to old favorites:
Adding white chocolate options to our favorites:
Protein sources from chickpeas seen in numerous brands:
Seaweed snacks:
Chips coming in different varieties from corn to rice to potato:
Veggie chips:
Did you know our favorite healthy cooking magazine has salty snacks like puffs and popcorn?
Sour options galore:
Coconut was a common ingredient:
Daelmans Stroopwafels now served on United Airlines. Notice the chocolate caramel ones:
Organic milk, dark or almond dark chocolate that is non-GMO with no artificial flavors or high fructose corn syrup:
Goetze’s Caramel Creams celebrating their 100 year anniversary!
Chocolate with health benefits:
Some commitments:
So many interesting products. I’m gravitating toward the Oreos! My favorite!
They were bite size making them the easiest treat! Thanks!
Now this is the type of expo I want to go to ! Those mushroom snacks look like something I’ll love (and just about everything else!)
Yes, those were a fun surprise. So many interesting products both new and old to share with everyone. Hard to know where to stop! Thanks.
We’ve recently fallen in love with the Hippeas snack – I can’t get enough of them. Super tasty, plus only 91 calories a bag!
I agree! I love those too. and protein in there. Bonus! Thanks.
We love Mike and Ike’s in our house. Everyone has their own box. Will have to try the Fire and Ice now. Lucky you to go to that show.
Thanks, Kristin! I do too. Especially Hot Tamales! Definitely enjoy seeing the trends and new items coming into the market.
That’s a whole lot of snacks to try! Interesting to see some of the new ideas coming out. It will be even more interesting to see what does well.
That’s so true. I am always curious about the new trends. Will keep you in the loop!
Wow it looks like you had an incredible time! So many interesting finds – you’ve made me really hungry hahaha!
Understand! It’s definitely a show to not go to hungry!