US Snacking Motivations and Attitudes Consumer Report 2024

Gain fresh insights into what motivates consumers to snack in the US. Mintel covers the latest consumer snacking trends and associated competitive strategies with this in-depth report, including a five year outlook to plan your future success. See below for the key topics covered and handpicked analysis from the full report.

Key Topics Covered

• Consumer snacking frequency.
• Changes in snacking behavior and the reasons for changes.
• Snack types consumed in the past three months.
• Snack occasions and dayparts.
• Important snack attributes.
• Attitudes about snacking.

US Consumer Snacking Overview

Americans are engaged in a snacking boom. As food culture shifts toward snacks, many are snacking on par with “regular” meals. With the sheer number of snacks available, over half want snacks to be something they know they like. Though, similarity with existing snacks doesn’t need to be exact, as small changes prove to win over consumers. Overall, with consumers snacking more, there are plenty of opportunities for all categories to win and even new entrants.

Consumer Snacking Trends

• Over half of consumers are snacking just as much as eating meals. This gives snack foods as much relevance to diet, routine, and meal planning as any other food purchase.
• Gen Z and Millennials are snacking the most. Millennials are snacking at a slightly higher rate, likely due to their foray into parenting and the need for on-the-go food options.
• Consumers overall vaguely want “good for them” snacks. However, simple better-for-you (BFY) claims aren’t cutting it in the US West. Brands must prove their claims on the label.
• Despite heavy snacking, younger consumers are surprisingly ambivalent. This may indicate that they aren’t thinking too deeply about snacks, allowing brands to jump in with messaging around why snack choices matter.

For a comprehensive analysis of consumer snacking trends in the US, buy the full report. You may also be interested to browse our other snack market research.

Products and Brands Covered in this Report

Products: Snacks include (but are not limited to) both salty and sweet CPG products, fresh snacks like yogurt and cheese, and produce.

Brands: The competitive landscape is discussed with reference to specific brands and innovation, marketing, and advertising efforts. Brands include Kroger, Sargento, Member’s Mark, Welch’s, Jack Links, Fruit Riot, and more.

Additional Features Included in Your Report

• Different Digital Formats: PDF for conveniently sharing with your team, PowerPoint for quickly including in your presentations.
• Custom PowerPoints: Incorporate our consumer research data into your own work so you can win over your clients and stakeholders. Select insights from your report to create a custom presentation that is ready to download in minutes.
• Interactive Databook: Each Databook is provided as an interactive website where you can deep dive into our consumer research data on your chosen topic so you can draw your own conclusions.
• Mintel’s Clients Portal: Our portal provides instant access to actionable analysis, podcasts, and trend pieces relevant to your industry that are published almost daily, as well as our annual Global Consumer Trends. You can also browse our extensive library of market research reports.

Expert Analysis

Leading food and drink analyst Michele Scott delivers expert industry insights with this in-depth report.

Current snacking behavior represents a cultural shift. Brands are tasked with balancing comfort and newness, and satisfying both emotional and physical needs.

Michele Scott
Associate Director, US Research – Food and Drink