Explore how the US food bar market is evolving and shifting to consumer needs with this in-depth report. Stay ahead of the curve and gain critical, data-backed insights. For this page, “food bar” refers to snack, nutrition, and performance bars. Below, we’ve summarized the key topics covered and offer hand-selected insights from the report document.
Key Topics Covered
- Food bar type purchase and frequency.
- Adult and kids’ food bar occasions and priorities.
- Attitudes toward food bars.
- External factors impacting bar purchase.
- The food bar market and brand activity.
US Food Bar Market Overview
Food bar market size in the US is estimated to show respectable growth in 2023, following up on the near-double-digit growth in 2022. This reflects consumers’ cravings for convenient and filling food and shows the resilience of food bars despite inflation. Snack, nutrition, and performance bar versatility allow consumers to both indulge and fulfill health needs, with flavors and ingredients that are constantly evolving.
Food Bar Consumer Insights
Food bar purchase differences by type
As nutritional bar purchases decreased between 2022-2023, meal replacement bars increased in the same period. With money and time constraints, meal replacement bars may be an even simpler option for consumers on the go.
Adult food bar occasions
Bar pairings can reimagine the role of this versatile food. At-home and evening snacks lead food bar occasions, opening up consumers’ kitchens for low-effort culinary experimentation that aligns with eating patterns. Beverage pairings can shake up food bar occasions, such as a glass of chocolate milk post-workout. Brands can therefore bring fresh associations to food bar occasions.
What’s Next for Food Bar Brands?
All things considered, future success in the US food bar industry will be awarded to brands that maintain bold strategies and continue to strike a balance between taste, health, and concept innovation while evolving positioning and communication to align with shifting consumer needs and lifestyles.
Try this report alongside our Future of Snack Bars Report. Alternatively, browse the rest of our expansive food market research.
Products Covered in this Report
For the purposes of this Report, snack, nutrition, and performance bars are defined as:
- Snack bars: cereal and snack bars, such as Quaker Chewy; and granola bars, such as Nature Valley.
- Nutrition bars: health/nutrition bars, including food bars that contain additional nutrients, such as fiber, protein (nonathletic), calcium, etc; also includes bars positioned as meal replacements (non-weight loss).
- Performance bars: athletic bars used for fuel during athletic endeavors or to enhance physical fitness or exercise, such as PowerBar; includes performance-focused protein bars.
- Weight loss bars: bars meant for diet and weight loss/weight management, such as Slim-Fast and Zone bars.
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Expert Analysis
Leading food, drink, and nutrition analyst Adriana Chychula delivers expert industry commentary with this in-depth report.
US lifestyles have rendered meals relative; snack bars’ versatility primes them to fit within today’s definition and the next.
Adriana Chychula
Analyst, Food, Drink & Nutrition