After more than a year of remote or distance learning, how school looks may still be in flux, but the need for portable nutrition is not. Whether it’s within the four walls of a classroom, at a home desk, or in an office, snacks play an important role in fueling the day for kids, parents, and teachers as classes get back in session, and our fellow industry snackers can attest to that...
Marketing Coordinator, Chelan Fresh
“Rockit™ is the world’s first miniature apple! It is incredibly crisp, deliciously sweet, and naturally grows in the perfect snack size for kids—and the kid in everyone. This apple is a healthy alternative to sugary snacks and the ideal addition to lunchboxes or as an after-school snack. The 3 lb tub is made from recycled plastic and features a fun back-to-school graphic label that is convenient to take along for after-school or weekend activities.”
Senior Director of Marketing and Packaging Procurement,
Duda Farm Fresh Foods
“Back-to-school season doesn’t have to end when August does! Parents will continue to look for items to stock their students’ lunchboxes, it’s important to give them convenient, time-saving options to help with the new school year rush! Duda Farm Fresh Foods proudly offers fresh-cut celery sticks and ready-to-eat radish coins that make it fast and easy to prepare those sack lunches. Our products pair perfectly with any and all dips, so we recommend retailers cross-promote in-store or offer snacking recipes to keep these items top of mind. We also offer celery snackers that come pre-packed with peanut butter, making it even easier to throw into a lunchbox or take as a snack on-the-go!”
Vice President of Foodservice and Industrial Sales, Grimmway Farms
“Regardless of what the school year looks like—whether students are at home, in-person, or somewhere in between—we think there’s potential for consumption of value-added, fresh produce snacks to grow. Packaged baby carrots and other snack-sized veggies are valuable solutions for parents and school administrators since they offer a long shelf-life and are pre-prepped, meaning they require less handling and meet all food safety standards. Our carrots have always been a back-to-school favorite for their sweet taste and crunchy texture, portioned to meet school nutrition requirements. As families transition into busier schedules this fall, we anticipate a rise in demand for fresh produce snacks, and we’re positioned to respond with value-added offerings suitable for menus at school and after-school snack plates at home.”
Chief Marketing Officer, Pure Flavor®
“Snacking needs to power you through your day; whether it be in between meals or like the hot new trend of ‘snack meals,’ they need to be nutritious and plentiful. With kids heading back to school, their lunchboxes need to be full to carry them through the chaos of their busy school day. Convenience is key; bite-sized items in appropriate formats that are resealable give parents the flexibility they need to change up their little ones’ lunchboxes (and their own too!). Pre-packaged items like the Mini Munchies Tomato Snack Pack give parents four snacks in one, easy-to-breakaway, 4 oz peelable container that fits right inside a lunchbox.”
Marketing Director, Stemilt
“Now that school is back in session, it’s time to return snackable items—like Lil Snappers® apples or pears—to the lunchbox. These products are ideal tie-ins to back-to-school promotions because they offer parents convenient packaging and delicious fruit in the right size profile for kids. We’ve found an array of shoppers are purchasers of Lil Snappers because the smaller fruit size fits with their snacking needs. Retailers can have a lot of fun introducing new and inventive ways to snack on fruits like apples and pears to consumers. We encourage simple recipes that match a few produce items or utilize different fruits and veggies in bento boxes to showcase how easy it can be to snack on these items, whether you are at home or on-the-go.”
Director of Marketing, Innovation, and Insights, Frieda’s
“With a kindergartner and third-grader at home, we know all about back-to-school. As a consumer and marketer, it’s the perfect time to press the reset button on healthy lunches. Bento/lunchbox-friendly displays are a great way to take the mental energy out of packing ahead, so we recommend including colorfully kid-friendly items like Rambas™ Rambutans, Honey Dragons® dragon fruit, and watermelon radishes. In our house, Stokes Purple® Sweet Potato Power Bites is an easy lunchbox recipe must-have. It’s so delicious, the kids don’t even realize we’ve snuck in another serving of vegetables!” 
