You know I love my snacks and sweets. I had the opportunity to attend the National Confectioners Association (NCA) Sweets & Snacks Expo again. This was my tenth year attending. The show moved to Indianapolis, but I had the time, so I drove down for a day and a half and I’m so glad I did!
Since 2014, the percentage of healthy snacks and candies with organic ingredients has grown exponentially. There are still many traditional candies, but snacks are big and the healthy trends were very visible. In terms of trends, lower/no sugar added is still big, keto is still prevalent but less in your face and all natural/sustainable is becoming dominant. I was excited to see a lot of pretzels and popcorn and yummy chocolate with naturally low sugar (and no weird stuff). [Check out my Instagram recap of faves here and see my story highlights under Swts & Snks ’24.]
The show is three days. I went for the a few hours on Day 1 and all of Day 2. The show is back to full capacity (pre-pandemic levels). They had the “Start Up Street” highlighting small brands less than 3 years old and an expanded “Specialty Market” focusing on transparency, “free from,” organic, premium, fair trade, gourmet, etc. This is my jam! I also love to get some nostalgic treats and see what the big companies are doing. In addition to traditional candy, many of the big players have lower sugar options and partner with healthy brands.
There was a lot of innovation in the space this year. Trend spotters called out lots of brand collaborations, flavor combos – lots of sour/sweet/spicy and global mixes and products in all sizes from family size to singles. I noticed many freeze dried candies – thanks to TikTok. Some traditional snacks are making a comeback like jerky and pretzels. There were very few products labeled keto (yay!) and low sugar products are using less sugar alcohols or other “sugar alternatives.” I’m very happy for this one
Day 1
I got to Indy with about two hours left in the day. I started in the Press Room and checked out some of the award winning products including Skippy PB Minis, Chylers Hawaiian Beef Chips, Lakrids by Bulows Passionfruit (one of my faves from our trip to Sweden and Denmark), Crazy Candy Freeze Dried Peanut Brittle, Nomad Snacks’ Ramen Flavored Popcorn, two varieties of Nerdy Nuts nut butter, You Need This Hot Fries and more!
I started with the main exhibit hall and then headed back to “Start Up Alley.” I grabbed some Perfect Bars and a chocolate from Bonnie & Pop New York. I tried some delicious chocolate covered toffee from Brittle Brittle and got samples of coated nuts with S. American flavors from The Fxxx Nuts snacks. I swung by and met Emily from Paradise Spreads and chatted about her exciting new flavor – stay tuned. I saw my friends from Pop Daddy Snacks and tried their seasonal Dutch Apple Pie pretzels.
I stopped for a chat with Top Fox Snacking Seeds. They make shelled pumpkin and sunflower seeds with “bold flavors.” They gave me a bunch to try so stay tuned for a review. I tried Wicked Cutz new “Breakfast Meat Sticks” with cheese and egg. Kind of ingenious for mornings – no? They were actually pretty tasty! I said “hi” to my friends from Dave’s Sweet Tooth and tried their TikTok famous Maple Bourbon Pecan chocolate covered toffee. It did not disappoint!
I checked out two brand new products from other countries – Yuca Balls (a cassava snack) and Jubes Coconut Gel. The cassava balls come in sweet and salty. Both have a mild flavor and I’d liked them. The coconut gels are made from fermented coconut water with natural flavored syrups. They tasted good and I felt like I was on vacation, so that’s a win!
I happened upon Buttermints. Since I love the traditional version, I was intrigued by the large variety of flavors they were sampling. This is a family recipe made with real cane sugar and flavored with essential oils. They gave me a ton to try so stay tuned. I saw Ashley from B.T.R Nation and I tried their yummy low sugar superfood nut butter cups. BOLO for these!
I stopped by to see Teresa from Sugar Bliss and came upon a bunch of Chicago brands. I met the team behind Sweet Thing Bake Shop. I professed my love for their “Trash” snack mix and they gave me both kinds! I then met the team from The Butter Cookie Factory. They are just south of Chicago and they gave me a whole bunch to try. I had one for dessert after dinner and it was delish!
A also grabbed some other faves like Perfect Bars, Hu Chocolate Hunks, Crazy Go Nuts and Love Corn Snacks. Not bad for two hours!
Day 1 Haul
Day 2
I spent the second day in the main hall and took a bunch of mascot pics. I started with innovations from Hershey’s and grabbed some faves like Goetze’s Cow Tails. I stopped by to check out all the new innovations at Ferrara and got a fun kit to try them all! These bring back good memories (and have some fun “twists.”). I then went to get The Husband his annual Twinkie and to take a photo with Twinkie the Kid. But ALAS Twinkie the kid was retired. [They had a Uncrustables Mascot. WTF Hostess?! Bring back Twinkie the Kid!]
With that out of the way, I went to the Specialty Market and covered as much of the hall as I could. There were a lot of fun products from overseas this year. I grabbed some of my favorite British and Swedish candies! I also got to sample some new flavors of hard candies from Tamalitoz. I met the team from Brownie Points – we sent these as gifts and enjoyed them at our place during the pandemic. They will soon have shelf stable treats in stores. BOLO or order online.
I checked out some new flavors from Ethel’s Bakery and Pecan Nation. I grabbed some Pepero – Korea’s most popular snack (looked like Pocky!) I took some more mascot pics, grabbed some whole wheat Pringles (shrug) and Mingles (new mixed flavors) and then grabbed a bunch of fun British sweets that I love.
I stopped by to try Skippy’s award winning PB Bites in Girl Scout Cookie flavors – YUM! I stopped by to chat with Nichols Farms and to grab some samples of new flavors from their organic line and my fave Cocoa Cookie pistachios. I saw my friends from Dewey’s Bakery and grabbed some of their new Dewzies to share – filled cookie thins – SO GOOD! I chatted with Aaron from Theo’s Plant Based and grabbed some yummy Sweet Potato jerky and new Spicy Sriracha beet jerky.
I tried out Rev Gum’s new electrolyte gum and grabbed some caffeinated gum. I grabbed some Theo Chocolate’s new organic filled peanut brittle and Zing Bars. Alter Eco also had some new filled dark chocolate – the Creme Brulee was so delicious! I grabbed some Zappos – Australia’s most popular candy. (It’s a sour chew). I stopped by Nerdy Nuts and grabbed a Kitchen Sink nut butter. Their Avalanche and Banana Creme Pie flavors won awards. It was a tough choice!
I tried Nomad Snacks award winning Ramen flavored Popcorn – YUM! Then I chatted with the team from Tazzy Candy. I remembered them from when they did sugar free lolly pops. Now they make all natural hard candy and lolly pops with organic cane sugar. They’re also launching an indulgent milk chocolate bark. BOLO for this – it’s amazing! I grabbed some fruit whips from The Froot Thief for my kid testers and then met the team from Nimble Snacks. They’re making snacking cacao nibs for hiking. I’m excited to try these. Find them on Amazon.
I stopped by to see Clara from Unite Foods. I tried their soon to be released Hot Fudge Bar. WOW! I’m obsessed. I chatted with the gals from Sweetish about all of my fave Swedish candies and they gave me a ton to try! I stopped by to chat with Like Air Snacks and we talked marathons and new flavors of their Puff Corn. The Husband has been devouring the Sour Cream and Onion but Pancake has my heart.
I went over to taste test ChocXO’s seasonal flavors. The Dark Chocolate Lemon Creme does not disappoint and the Cookies and Cream was good, too. I stopped by to see my friends from Olyra and grabbed some of my faves. I chatted with Tony from Olli’s Salumeria and grabbed a bunch of shelf stable salamis for my summer picnics. I swung by Poshi to tell them how much I love their shelf stable veggie snacks. More to come from them soon!
I chatted with my friends from LOVO Chocolate and grabbed some faves. I tried Jojo’s new Dark Chocolate Hazel Nut Butter filled bites. They are delicious and have added protein. Grab them if you see them! And no Expo is complete without a chat with my friends from Undercover Snacks. We chatted about trends, I shared my finds and grabbed some of my faves for the road.
I chatted with some more better for you snack brands. I grabbed Bee Free’s new Apple Pie snack mix and snack bars. The guys from South 40 Snacks and I chatted about marathons, long distance swimming and better for you snacks. They shared their nut and fruit bars and sunflower seeds with me. I saw my friends from The Only Bean [Get 15% of your order with code ERICA15] and grabbed some edamame snacks for the road. I checked out the new options from Tony’s Chocolonely. BOLO for new Lil’ Bits – so good! I finished up with the M&M and Skittles machines for a variety pack for the road.
I said goodbye to my friends and then headed out. It was really fun to catch up with so many people that I know in the natural space and to try some new sweet treats, too!
Day 2 Haul:
Stay tuned for some great giveaways in the weeks to come! I promise I will share the majority of this haul.
What do you want to try most? What is your favorite candy or snack?
Please note: I was provided with samples at no cost in exchange for an honest review/mention. I was not otherwise compensated for this post. I received a free entry to the Sweets and Snacks show as a member of the “media.” All opinions are my own. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links, I’ll receive a small commission.