**London**: A shift towards sustainability is evident in consumer preferences for snacks and bakery products, particularly nuts. Ofi’s Angie Sanchez discusses trends in health, flavour, and texture, while highlighting initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable practices in nut supply chains and securing a positive environmental impact.
Consumers are increasingly prioritising sustainability in their snack and bakery choices, particularly when it involves nuts such as almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts. Angie Sanchez, global senior marketing manager for nuts at the supplier ofi, highlighted this shift in consumer preferences during a conversation with Snack Food and Wholesale Bakery. With a growing focus on health, taste, and sensory experiences, consumers now seek products that offer a variety of textures and flavours while considering their impact on the environment.
Sanchez emphasized that today’s informed consumers are looking for more than just the nutritional benefits of food products; they desire a connection with natural ingredients and memorable consumption experiences. “We explore the current trends and how each is taking shape in different segments,” she stated.
Within the realm of snacks, there is a notable rise in the popularity of nut butters, which offer versatility in terms of flavour, texture, and visual appeal. “The versatility of nut butters is most intriguing,” Sanchez said. With flavours ranging from intense to mild and textures from smooth to crunchy, nut butters align with consumer desires for multi-dimensional indulgences.
Sustainability has emerged as a significant topic amongst both consumers and producers. Sanchez explained that ofi’s approach, termed “holistic sustainability,” addresses the desire for positive change across environmental, social, and individual domains. This approach aims to create a sustainable future that balances resource consumption with the planet’s wellbeing.
Ofi’s annual Nut Trails report outlines the company’s journey towards more sustainable nut supply chains and the initiatives in place to support farmers and promote regenerative agriculture. Sanchez noted that the report illustrates progress toward meeting the company’s 2030 Nut Trails targets, structured around four key impact areas: prosperous farmers, thriving communities, climate action, and regenerating the living world.
The 2023 Nut Trails report highlighted several significant achievements, including an increase in good agricultural practices (GAP) training for workers in hazelnut farming and advancements in partnerships that have resulted in joint funding commitments amounting to US$2 million for sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Sanchez spoke about the KIND Almond Acres initiative, a collaboration with KIND Snacks aimed at implementing regenerative agricultural practices. Launched in April 2023, this three-year pilot project focuses on reducing water consumption, protecting pollinators, enhancing soil health, and reducing carbon emissions in almond farming in California.
Ofi’s commitments include transitioning to subsurface irrigation to decrease water use by up to 20%, utilising AI-powered beehives to minimise honeybee losses, and championing agricultural practices that promote biodiversity and ecosystem resilience.
The company is also innovating within its facilities, particularly in its Customer Solutions Center in Chicago, where it is engaging with long-time and new customers to explore further developments in sustainable food production.
As consumer awareness of sustainability continues to grow, the choices made by manufacturers and suppliers will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future of the snack and bakery industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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