Greek Yogurt bars are the kind of snacks consumers are seeking.
Snacking giant Unilever, under its Yasso brand, recently added OU-D yogurt bars with whole fruit to its previous lineup of high-protein frozen snacks. The updates in this arena speak to what’s trending in the snack space: health, convenience, and on-the-go consumption. Though the economy has been somewhat in flux, the healthy snacks market remains strong.
A Market Snapshot
According to Precedence Research, the healthy snacks market has a global market value upwards of $108 billion and a U.S. valuation topping $40 billion. Consumer interest in healthy snacking points to future growth. In a consumer study of 2,000 adults cited by an article in Just Food, it was reported that “75% of consumers said they consume fruits and vegetables as snacks at least weekly and 67% said they eat healthy snacks that have less sugar and reduced sodium. Consumers also said they frequently buy and eat high-protein snacks.”
Consumer-Conscious Snacking
Health is on the minds of many when it comes to food consumption. Obesity is a systemic problem in society and is responsible for many health ailments. Due to this, companies are focusing more on protein intake and reduced sugar.
Because of urbanization, many consumers work in office environments, which necessitates convenient eating options. There’s less time for food preparation, and therefore, having a snack can save precious time.
People are also much more active than in the past. They are often in constant movement, having to take care of a wide array of responsibilities. An on-the-go option brings more flexibility to their daily routines.
Yasso Bars
A recently added Yasso flavor.
PR Newswire carried the press release relating to the new Yasso bars from Unilever. The flavors include Strawberry Chocolate Crunch, Strawberries & Cream, and Creamy Mango. Yasso’s cofounders, Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington, said about the bars, “Yasso’s first ever items were fruit flavors, so it’s exciting to return to our roots in a way, with superior product that meets the needs of today’s consumer.” Each bar is low in calories and contains 4 grams of protein.
Conclusion
Unilever is giving a strong indication of where snacking is headed. With the unveiling of new Greek Yogurt bar flavors under its Yasso brand, consumer concerns about health, convenience, and flexibility are all being addressed.