Ingrained Insights Podcast

Chips Ahoy is a brand with some serious staying power, with its origins dating back more than six decades. Since the beginning, the cookie has continued to innovate flavors and formats, and Sierant, senior director for U.S. Chips Ahoy, shares a peek at its history, its future, and notable creations over the years.

Once Again Nut Butter Collective has been offering better-for-you eats for a while. More recently, they've been putting out organic, natural graham sandwich snacks that incorporate the nut butters they've been known for. Orr, marketing director for the company, talks about its history, innovation, and growth path.

The bar category has seen some fun, interesting innovations in recent years. One of these innovative brands is Clio Snacks, whose BFY bars can be found chilling in the refrigerated case. McGuckin, CEO of the company, talks about its unique origin story, recent growth, and what makes its products special.

Companies often talk about putting their people first, but Rich's has put its money where its mouth is with the recent hire of Novomisle, recently named the company's chief people officer. She tells us about the importance of truly supporting a company's workforce, and what that people-centric policy looks like in action.

Producers have been sharing some nutrition information on their package fronts. Depending on how proposed FDA legislation swings, snack and bakery producers might not have a choice whether to put that info on their bags, cartons, and other packs. Skolnick, owner of the snack company, shares why that's a good thing.

Trend reports are always fun and fascinating, and Mondelēz International’s annual State of Snacking dive is no exception. In this discussion, Davies (senior manager of global insights and trendspotting with the snacking giant) highlights some of the key points shared in the report, offers perspective about how Mondelēz puts such insights to work, and shares some of her personal snacking habits.

January is a great time to look at what the coming year holds in store. Lowry,  director of consumer research with data science outfit 84.51°, connected with Chief Editor Jenni Spinner to discuss what consumer trends might drive the snack and bakery field for the rest of 2025.

Chips Ahoy! has just released its newest innovation, and spoiler, it’s not a cookie: its Baked Bites are an on-the-go version of a blondie. Chris Park, director, Chips Ahoy! and cakes/pastry innovation, chats about the brand’s newest product, and how the company came up with the idea for it.

Americans are more concerned about their gut health than ever before, and they increasingly look to their food purchases (including bakery and snack buys) to help further it. Schueller, director of marketing insights and analytics for Ardent Mills, offers some wisdom in that arena that producers can use to tap into the trend.

Snack producers, baking companies, and other food-focused outfits are interested in packaging equipment investment, and many prowled the exhibits at PACK EXPO International 2024 in Chicago to check out the possibilities. Marquez, director of custom research with show organizer PMMI, outlined the packaging industry outlook as shared in the recently released State of the Industry report.