Cake sales have climbed, thanks to consumers’ desire to treat themselves with or without a special occasion in mind.

Not all potato chips are created equal. And competition among up-and-coming chip brands is fierce in this highly mature retail snack segment valued at $8.9 billion, per IRI, Chicago. In chips, a select few companies and longstanding legacy brands dominate annual sales and market share.

The past few years have contributed elements that have combined into a “perfect storm” of challenges for grain-focused food companies, including many snack and bakery companies.

A recent mailing from the Almond Board of California highlights regional product innovations that prominently feature almonds—this one from Chicago, a “hub for culinary innovation with abundant opportunities for all sorts of food professionals."

The National Honey Board presents its picks for the most innovative made-with-honey products featured at this year's Sweets & Snacks Expo and Summer Fancy Food Show.

Clextral USA and Clextral SAS offer R&D and processing perspectives on puffed and extruded snacks.

ADM and tna solutions speak on prevailing R&D trends in the expanding chip market.

A "best of" list of recently released walnut products, from the California Walnut Commission.

Schwan's Company speaks about trends in the cheesecake and frozen dessert category.

The puffed and extruded category mostly experienced growth from 2021 to 2022. Consumers are also searching for better-for-you flavors, and the category aimed to accommodate.