In a food culture that increasingly prizes clean label, fresh flavors and nutritional benefits, companies working in the freezer case need to integrate selective strategic innovations while holding true to the convenience and quality shoppers have come to expect in classic, category-leading frozen snacks and appetizers.

Crackers remain one of the most- important segments in snacks, valued at $7.4 billion. And current innovations related to ingredients, formats and flavor profiles could drive more growth over the coming year.

Over time, select trends across food emerge, rise to prominence and then grow fully intertwined into the fabric of the industry itself. Such is the case with “better-for-you,” a term that has grown to encompass any product that has some level of nutritional improvement over a “traditional” version of the very same product.

Southern Recipe has released a new snack mix that gives pork snack fans a new way to enjoy a traditional Southern snack.

Your childhood cheese puffs are all grown up - with savory aged cheddar and a hint of peppercorn!

Malibu Mix combines the company’s signature Sea Salt & Olive Oil, White Cheddar and Kettle Corn flavors.

Snack brands can turn to flexible packaging designed for on-the-go lifestyles that keep products fresh and bring added convenience.

Last week, I was in Vegas for IFT17, the Institute of Food Technologists' annual show, where I saw and sampled many new variations on familiar themes.