Gourmet Business - May 2015

American consumers’ demand for products that are perceived as promoting healthy eating habits as well as being a satisfying meal or snack has manifested itself in many interesting ways. The increase in the popularity
of jerky and other forms of dried meat snacks was not one that I had predicted, 

but it does make sense considering how focused many consumers are on avoiding carbohydrates in their diet and the inherent long shelf life of the product. Judging from the number of new companies being established and the amount of new products coming to market, the jerky category is on fire and is expected by many to keep growing at a double-digit pace. The fact that Hershey has recently purchased KRAVE brand jerky lends credibility to the argument that the category presents 

a bona fide sales opportunity for those merchandising healthy snacks. Anyone who has a genuine interest in the category may want to consider attending the NCA Sweets & Snacks Expo taking place in Chicago in the middle of May, which will likely feature, as it did last year, many of the jerky companies that are battling for market share. 

For those of you already planning on attending Sweets & Snacks, I hope you find our preview of new products being featured at the show, along with a comprehensive look at the jerky category in this issue, helpful in your quest. 

David Spencer
Publisher, Gourmet Business 

President, HousewaresDirect, Inc. 

dspencer@gourmetbusiness.com