LONDON — Americans are increasingly asking artificial intelligence what to snack on, according to Conagra Brands, a shift the Slim Jim meat stick-maker says is helping fuel demand for higher-protein foods, bold flavors and products tailored to specific health goals.
Driven partly by the rapid rise of weight-loss drugs and the White House's "Make America Healthy Again" initiative, consumers are seeking healthier food options more than ever.
Slim Jim products, owned by Conagra Brands, are seen for sale Nov. 15, 2021, in a store in Manhattan, New York.
Conagra, which also makes Hunt's ketchup, worked with research firm Circana to analyze more than 53 million shopping transactions covering 17,000 products across the U.S. snacking sector. The sector generates $198.2 billion in annual retail sales and is growing about 1.4 times faster than the broader food market.
More has changed in how Americans eat and shop for food in the six years since the COVID-19 pandemic than in the previous 50 years, said Bob Nolan, Conagra's senior vice president of growth science.
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"Snacks are playing a bigger and more personal role in consumers' lives, whether someone wants a boost of protein, lasting energy, or a moment of comforting indulgence," Nolan said Wednesday.
The logo for Conagra Brands Inc. is displayed on a screen April 10, 2023, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
Health trends are only part of the story. Conagra's research found that younger consumers, particularly members of Generation Z, are driving demand for bolder flavors, from sweet-and-spicy combinations to tangy and briny snacks.
Consumers are also examining ingredients more closely and increasingly using AI tools to guide purchasing decisions, Conagra said. Rather than searching for a specific product, shoppers are asking for snacks that meet particular needs, such as higher protein or fiber content.
"That's why some of the traditional categories have been under pressure," Nolan said, noting cookies and salty snacks struggled.
"The emergence of these more nutrient-dense snacks and snacking for purpose have started really growing and accelerating," he said.
