Singles Behind Push for Single-Serve Snacks

With more U.S. adults single, packaged snacks are adjusting to provide individual portions.

May 04, 2016

NEW YORK CITY – With fewer Americans marrying, singles have become a larger demographic trend lately, one that has implications for the snack food aisle, according to Smart Blogs from Smart Brief.

A recent report from Google found that more people are searching for information and recipes on bite-sized and individually-portioned snacks. “Consumers are more complex when it comes to food choices, and snacking has become more personal. Brands will need to offer more than just customization based on flavors, but dietary restrictions, as well. Personal choices come best in solo portions,” according to the Google report.

Mealtimes have become opportunities for snack food consumption (although Americans still eat three meals a day), mostly because the 38 million Americans who live by themselves are picking single-serve snacks for their meals, according to the NPD Group. Consumers cite convenience and health as the top two criteria for choosing a snack, but that doesn’t mean they’re avoiding chips, cookies, nuts and other salty and sweet snacks.

Consumers also like single-serve options for their snacks, such as single-serve desserts and single-portion hummus and pretzel packs. Earlier this year, General Mills Convenience & Foodservice released its seven snacking trends to watch in convenience stores. Another recent NPD Group study found that boomers were snacking more than millennials. 

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement