Entice Customers with Nutritous School-Safe Snack Options
By Angela Altass
The end of summer brings preparations and thoughts of returning to regular activities, which for many means back to school. Parents and students will once again be looking for snacks that boost energy to get through a day of education, learning, and school-based activities.
“Parents are looking for school-safe snacks that are nutritious, made from real ingredients and, most importantly, something their kids will actually eat,” says Rhonda Goldberg, president, Oh! Naturals. “Oh! Naturals snacks are gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, making them a worry-free choice for lunchboxes. The added bonus is that they taste great and come in fun, appealing flavours.”
Having the right snacking options in stock and displayed prominently can entice parents and students to shop at your store.
“Give healthy snacks prime placement,” says Goldberg. “For example, put Oh! Naturals products in visible, accessible areas like back to school displays or at eye level in the snack aisle. Highlight callouts such as gluten-free, school safe, vegan, and Canadian women-led company. Offering mix and match bundle promotions can also help encourage trial and boost basket size.”
Oh! Naturals is currently developing new flavours and snack formats to meet a growing demand for healthy, allergen-friendly options, says Goldberg.
“Our snacks are made with the whole family in mind,” says Goldberg. “Our banana chips come in kid-friendly flavours like natural, which tastes just like a banana smoothie, chocolate, and now strawberry. They are great for after school or a mid-day energy boost.”
Convenience stores located near high schools would be wise to keep in mind that teens will be checking out your stores in search of snacks during lunch and school break times. For students with a taste for savoury snacks, Oh! Naturals sweet potato fries can grab their attention.
“The BBQ and chilli lime varieties are especially popular among teens who want savoury snacks that are better-for-you than traditional chips,” says Goldberg. “These snacks are also rich in potassium, which helps support concentration and positive moods during school hours, and aids muscle recovery after sports or workouts.”
Consumers are also actively seeking local and Canadian-made sources of food. MadeGood has introduced new Cranberry Maple Granola Bites, which are crafted with Quebec-sourced maple syrup and dried cranberries, along with Prairie oats. This sweet-meets-tart bite brings together local ingredients in a certified organic and allergen-friendly snack.
“The flavour is inspired by our love for Canada,” says Salma Fotovat, co-founder and sourcing and procurement director, Riverside Natural Foods. “From the oats to the maple syrup, every ingredient was carefully selected to highlight the richness of our Canadian food heritage.”
KIND believes parents are looking for snacks that are nutritious, made from simple and recognizable ingredients, and free from artificial flavours or sweeteners, says Alisha Mawani, key account manager, KIND Canada.
“Our portfolio highlights products that are gluten-free and made with whole grains, nuts and fruits,” says Mawani. “KIND snacks are ideal for back to school because they balance nutrition and taste, use high quality real ingredients and offer a range of convenient formats for busy families.”
KIND snacks is launching two new Protein+ bars and bringing back their Almond Coconut bar in September.
“These snacks are designed to be nutritious and convenient, making them appropriate for different age groups and snacking occasions,” says Mawani. “Parents can choose from KIND’s range of products, including Healthy Grains bars, Breakfast Bars, Soft Baked Squares and Minis. These snacks use ingredients you can see and pronounce, such as oats, millet, and buckwheat.”
Parents are increasingly mindful of what goes into their children’s lunchboxes, says Angie Sell, communications manager, Nature’s Path Foods.
“They’re looking for clean label, nutritious snacks that not only taste great but also support their kids’ energy and focus throughout the day,” says Sell. “As retailers gear up for back to school season, we recommend stocking shelves with snack options that offer both nutrition and convenience.”
Love Child Organics is a part of the Nature’s Path family of brands with Oaty Bites being its newest product.
“Oat Bites is a soft-baked snack created specifically for toddlers aged four and up,” says Sell. “Available in three flavours, blueberry + carrot, strawberry + kale, and chocolate + banana, these snacks are made with a blend of gluten-free oats, sunflower seed butter, puffed quinoa, chia seeds, and real fruits and vegetables. They’re certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, kosher and contain just five grams of sugar per serving. Because they come in resealable 100g pouches, they’re also convenient for lunchboxes and on-the-go moments.”
As a new school season approaches, ensuring your store has a variety of snack products available will provide families with the options they need for busy school days.
