Whether it’s a picnic, a ballgame, a county fair or just lounging in the sun, the state of the snack industry proves that consumers are in for one wild, fun-filled, tasty ride.

The bases are loaded when it comes to sweet goods and snack cakes. Though sales are sluggish, consumers want sweet treats to be healthy but still like to indulge a bit. But with fewer calories and fat, portion packaging and better-for-you formulations, today’s sweet treats won’t stay in the dugout for long.

Unlike the run-of-the-mill cookie product, this year’s items possess superstar qualities, including better-for-you ingredients and exotic flavorings.

Bakers can hit a home run in today’s market by mixing wholesome, healthful ingredients with some new twists of their own to stand out among the competition. But they still must hold their ground when it comes to pricing and discounting. Even if they have a few strikes-outs along the way, bakers are developing new products to keep on making a hit with consumers.

It’s baseball season, says editor-in-chief Lauren R. Hartman. That means the June issue is revved up with our annual focus on the State of the Bakery Industry. 

Looks are deceiving at Gabby’s Bagels. The “small” artisan bakery may first appear unassuming, but it has plenty of big programs that keep it ahead of the competition and regulations.