Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

Snack and bakery strategies for a better 2021

Snack and bakery industry lessons from 2020 and strategies for an improved 2021.

January 18, 2021

This past year was unlike any other throughout our history as a nation, and the snack and bakery industry saw significant impact.

Snack and bakery leaders offer pandemic-era insights and strategies

Snack and bakery leaders offer insights and strategic perspectives on the pandemic—and what comes next.

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

January 18, 2021

Near the end of December 2019, the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission, Wuhan City, China, reported several pneumonia cases that officials eventually tied to a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, now generally known as COVID-19.

Scone creativity in Chicagoland

SF&WB sits down with Chef Laurie McNamara, Chicago's scone queen.

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

December 23, 2020

Chef Laurie McNamara is Chicagoland’s very own scone queen. She worked as the pastry chef at Scone City, a bakery-café co-owned by Tim Canning in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago that operated from 2015 to 2019.

Healthy indulgences

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

December 15, 2020

Over the past few months, as I went through the process of developing SF&WB's annual "Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies" list, I felt a renewed sense of admiration for the inherent power of merging true nutrition with indulgence.

Inside Alpha Baking and S.Rosen’s initiative to help Northern Illinois Food Bank

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

December 7, 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased levels of unemployment and lost wages. As a result, food banks and related supporting services have seen unprecedented levels of need.

The Top 50 Snack & Bakery Companies of 2020

Many snack and bakery companies continue to find opportunities for growth, and some familiar names enter the rankings.

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

December 2, 2020

Revenue from the U.S. grain-based snack and bakery industry accounts for over $100 billion in annual retail sales, and a significant portion of that total comes from the top 50 companies, ranked according to annual revenue.

Innovating into the future

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

November 25, 2020

The history of the food industry offers many great examples of notable pioneers who innovated in the face of adversity.

Introducing automation and safety measures in new snack and bakery facilities

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt our global society, snack and bakery companies look toward a safer, more-efficient future.

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

November 23, 2020

There is nothing like a pandemic to test a company's limitations. While food producers received official designation as "essential" businesses as the COVID-19 pandemic descended on the American food industry, continuing operations during the pandemic did not equate to business as usual.

Inside the history of innovation at Rich Products Corp.

As Rich Products Corp. celebrates its 75th anniversary, we look back at its history of innovation—and catch up with the company’s progress during the pandemic.

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

November 13, 2020

History marks select years with unilateral distinction. Consider 1945 and the conclusion World War II, closing a door on a turbulent time in our global history, and opening a new door to an exciting new time in America, marked by significant growth and prosperity over the ensuing decade.

Mavericks Snacks wins 2020 SF&WB 'Best New Healthy School Snack' honors

Douglas J. Peckenpaugh

October 15, 2020

Now in its sixth year, the “Best New Healthy School Snacks” contest, hosted by SF&WB, strives to shine a spotlight on snack and bakery products that represent great healthy snack choices for kids of all ages.