Ingrained Insights Podcast

What does it take to create a great snack prototype? Cargill experts Jana Mauck (senior marketing manager for snacks and cereal) and Chad Rieschl (principal food scientist) share some of the finer points of the sample the team created to showcase at Expo West 2025.

Calbee America has introduced a number of innovations aimed at stateside snackers. With its latest product line (a quartet of potato chips with bold flavors) the producer is hearkening back to its Asian roots. In this conversation, the VP of marketing/R&D for the company's American division talks about the history, the new chips, and what's ahead.

Food safety covers a lot of territory in the bakery and snack field, including keeping products safe from microbial growth and contamination. Charest, senior vice president for functional ingredients and solutions with the company, talks about the importance of keeping items free and clear, and ways to do just that.

Vultee, the recently appointed SVP of membership for the SFA, has a deep, diverse background in food, including a stint at Whole Foods Market. She connected with SF&WB recently to discuss her passion for the industry and how she'll use her enthusiasm for food to help members thrive along their growth journeys.

With so many issues impacting the food industry, it is important for snack industry professionals to keep on top of issues and make their voices heard in Washington, D.C. Cochran, president of SNAC International, talks about the organization's upcoming Legislative Summit on June 3-4, and the opportunity for members to connect and make a difference.

Recent legislation and proposed bans on various artificial colors and flavors have some producers scrambling to clean up their labels. That's it., maker of fruit-based snacks with very short, natural ingredients lists, has less to worry about than those guys. Eshuys, president, talks about the legislation, trends in BFY, feeding kids healthy treats, and more.

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.

Safieddine and Ryan Brothers (founders of BFY doughnut maker Drumroll) connected with SF&WB's Brett Parker to discuss their growth since they started the company in 2019, as well as their plans for the future. They also talk about the recent $3 million investment from 7-Mile Brands and plans to harness the funds to fuel future expansion.

Nature's Bakery has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years, and Mars is betting big on the baked snack brand's future with investment in a new $237 million facility. CEO Gardiner talks about the upward trajectory, history of BFY innovation, and more.

Multimedia Specialist Brett Parker connected with Dennis (who hails from Ghana) to discuss Flow's Tasty Treats' mission to bring African cuisine into the American mainstream, with items like toasted corn, peanut mixes, and dried coconuts. She also shares insights about her charity work and sales at  Costco.

Thanks to recent innovations with inclusions, better-for-you baked goods and snacks can be more than tasty and healthy; they can also be fun. Miller talks about some of the company's products that sweeten, sparkle, and otherwise enhance products to help delight consumers.

On its 100th anniversary, the American Society of Baking's annual event has more than a few innovations in store for the industry pros attending. Lisa Arato of Spiromatic and Ashley Robertson of Corbion share a sneak peek at some of the notable changes.

Sweet-toothed consumers increasingly seek treats that are tasty, indulgent, and natural. Oobli, a maker of sweet proteins, is attracting the attention of producers like Grupo Bimbo with its BFY sugar-alternative solutions. CEO Wing shares insights about the sweet solutions and the possibilities in snack, bakery, and candy. 

When Dave and Jan Marson sold their wildly successful food brand Nature’s Bakery to Mars, they didn’t rest on their laurels. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves and founded another company: Marson Foods, a producer of waffles, pancake bites, and other items for retail, foodservice, and other clients. The couple shares their fascinating history and shares insights about running not one, but TWO s...

Since this snack company appeared on the cover of our September 2023 issue it's gone through some impressive growth. According to Marino (president and CEO of the company), it's just getting started. Listen to hear about how the sweet potato chip purveyor has innovated, and how it's planning for an even brighter future.

Jeff Nichols, vice president of supply chain and grower relations with Nichols Farms, knows a lot about pistachios; his family has been in the business for more than six decades, so you might say it's in his blood. He discusses the company's long history, growth, product innovation, and being a good steward of the land and planet.