For years “snacks” carried the connotation of less than good-for-you foods. Today, new healthier packaged foods are giving snacks a better name. Food manufacturers—with the help of innovative packaging solutions—are meeting the taste, quality, and convenience demands of a new generation of snack food consumers.

Younger generations are more likely to forgo traditional meals and rather eat several smaller portions throughout the day. While the average American snacks at least once a day, Millennials will often snack up to four times per day. Also, they are not as interested in the snacks of their parents or older siblings, like chips, granola bars, or gummy bears. It’s clear that consumer tastes have changed—some may say even “evolved”—dramatically.

What drives the intense snacking desires of younger buyers? There seem to be a number of motivating factors.

Millennials pay more attention to what they’re putting into their bodies.

It’s not surprising to most that younger generations are, on the whole, insist on foods that are more organic, less-processed, and feature fewer ingredients. This selectiveness particularly applies to pre-packaged foods, where the ingredients are listed and brands are built around reputations for freshness and quality ingredients.

Younger consumers are looking for new adventures for their taste buds.

Although it may seem incongruent with preferences for healthier, organic foods, younger people also desire bolder tastes and are prone to binge eating. According to a recent Forbes article by Jeff Fromm, “They (Millennials) place taste and enjoyment more important than health. They forgo routine and seek out what is new and different, preferring bold and spicy flavors and culturally diverse options.”

According to a recent Mintel survey, nearly 40% of consumers said new flavor launches are the biggest inducement for them to try a new CPG food item. Different smoked, spiced, roasted, and toasted offerings pique consumer interest. New, healthy salty snack alternatives include foods derived from root vegetables, ancient grains, and seaweed. Even bug proteins (yes, insects) tickle the taste buds of the adventurous, yet still nutritionally minded snack food consumer.

Their lifestyles are less structured and they’re more likely to splurge

Millennials are more likely to lead busier, often chaotic lifestyles that eschew traditional meals.

The aforementioned Mintel survey suggests that these consumers like re-sealable and portable food packaging offerings. Single serve packages are convenient, portable, and even more important—shareable. Chocolate and other sugary snacks, seen as comfort foods, are also on the rise.

So, what does all of this mean for the industry? Snacks are the driving force behind the growth in the food category of Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). According to CSP Magazine, the global market for snacks is projected to grow from approximately $100 billion today to nearly $140 billion by 2020. The trick is for food manufactures to be nimble and offer new, exciting snack offerings that cater to ever changing consumer tastes.

Building on that point, Fromm adds that “Brands hoping to find success in the snacking category must act like a startup and look at the category differently by having a bigger cultural purpose that guides everything they do.”

At IPM Foods, we provide packaging innovation that helps food manufacturers offer delicious, exciting new products to consumers. Similar to the way Millennials are remaking traditional mealtime rules, Tetra Recart® is re-imagining food packaging. Tetra Recart® packages are sustainable, engaging, and present food products to the consumer exactly as intended. Featuring a laser-perforated tear and simple re-closure, Tetra Recart® is the perfect package for delivering fun and adventurous snack foods for busy people on the go.

IPM Foods is one of the only contract food manufacturers or co-packers in America offering this game-changing package as a replacement for cans, jars, and pouches. To learn more, contact an IPM Foods representative today.