Survey Highlights Adults' Snacking Habits, Attitudes
Del Monte Foods in June released insights from a recent survey of U.S. consumers about their attitudes and behaviors in relation to snacking.
The results revealed that eating fruit is one of the top ways consumers feel better while snacking, and more than two-thirds of adults said they reach for fruit when they want to feel their best, according to a media release from the manufacturer.
Adults are also seeking to relive the joy of their childhood snacks, with fruit cups and fruit snacks topping the list of snacks they wish were more geared toward adults. Parents are also intentionally seeking out snacks that can be enjoyed by both adults and kids when shopping, per the release.
The survey also found that most “general consumers” regularly replace meals with snacks, with parents especially likely to "snackstitute," per the release.
Other survey highlights include:
- Nearly all adults crave more refreshing snacks in the summer.
- Parents are especially in need of snacks on-the-go, both for their kids and themselves. More than three-quarters of adults (85% of parents versus 70% of non-parents) said convenience and portability are qualities they consider when purchasing snacks.
- A majority of adults regularly replace meals with snacks, with parents much more likely to do so (eight in 10 parents versus two-thirds of non-parents).
- Fruit is a key component of what is currently missing from snacks. Taste and nutritional content top the list of what people are looking for in snacks, with more than a quarter of adults saying snacks are lacking in fruits.
With these insights in mind, Del Monte timed the release of the survey results with the launch of two new flavors of the manufacturer’s Fruit Refreshers, portable fruit snack cups designed for adults. The flavors are pineapple and mango in prickly pear flavored fruit water and peaches in honeysuckle flavored fruit water.
"We're thrilled to learn a bit more about the snacking attitudes of our consumer base and to be able to meet their desires with our Fruit Refreshers product line," brand manager Chris Kocur said in the release. "The new flavors … provide a delicious, convenient and refreshing snack for busy parents and adults in need of a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or those who are looking for a grown-up version of the fruit cups they loved as children."
Survey Methodology
Del Monte commissioned the 15-minute online survey that represented a sample of more than 2,000 U.S. adults. Research consultancy Edelman Data & Intelligence fielded the survey May 12-20.