Formulating products with the ever-increasing demands of today’s marketplace is no easy task.

A week or so ago, my parents and I hopped in the car and drove from Michigan to Rhode Island.

When an upstart local bakery does something particularly well, people take notice. Word spreads, the business grows and notoriety develops through the surrounding region.

The world of tortillas and tortilla chips is constantly evolving, but one thing remains constant: Consumers want great taste and flavor in the products they eat.

Snack manufacturers are looking to build in healthfulness through the use of raw materials, including vegetables and fruit, as well as cleaner ingredient profiles with more protein and fiber.

It’s rare for a food product to check so many boxes in the minds of consumers that it becomes, essentially, universally beloved. But such is the case for snack and nutritional bars.

Chocolate is more ubiquitous than ever. You can find a chocolate-flavored version of just about any snack or bakery product.

Is it too late to jump on the snack- and protein-bar bandwagon? Maybe not. Though to say the snack- and energy-bar market is overwhelmingly crowded doesn’t even begin to describe the current climate of the landscape.

Consumer engagement in sustainability continues to increase. To that end, many consumers not only look to corporations for leadership in this area, but are also drawn to companies specifically because of their sustainability efforts.

My pursuit of the perfect taco—whether at home or eating out—is a passion that will enthrall until the end of my days.