What’s your region’s favorite summer snack? Salty, sweet or healthy?

Cristine Struble

Summer and snacking go hand and hand. But, what’s your regions’ favorite summer snack?

Even though summer is associated with vacation, the non-school days are more busy that the rest of the year. From summer camps to vacations, families are constantly on the go. With all those activities, everyone gets hungry. Snacks are a must. But, does a favorite summer snack vary by region?

Favorite summer snack choices, photo by Cristine Struble

According to General Mills and Box Tops for Education survey, people’s favorite snacks vary by region. The results appear somewhat unexpected. The survey showed that the Northeast preferred granola and protein bars. The Southern states like chips, popcorn, crackers and pretzels. And, both the Midwest and West prefer healthy snacks like fruit and vegetables.

This particular study shows the growing trends that consumers are seeking generally better food choices. While people want to snack in between meals, those snacks may not be the calorie laden foods that many of us had growing up. Today, even the chips, crackers and pretzels are better for us or made with better ingredients.

Take a quick tour down any grocery store snack aisle. Right beside the bag of classic potato chips are root vegetable chips, quinoa chips or even cricket chips (yes, Chirps Chips are made from ground crickets). The craving for a crunchy, salty, satisfying snack doesn’t just magically disappear. Now, people are fulfilling that need with a better alternative.

In addition to the alternative snacking options, consumers want convenient snacking. Especially during the summer, people are traveling more, have longer days and want to be able to grab and go. Even those who prefer to grab fruit or veggies are turning towards grab-and-go packaging. Duda Farms offers cut celery with peanut butter for a quick, filling snack. Dried fruit, like the Marini brand, add several new conveniently packaged, better for you fruits. These types of products are a direct response to consumers wants.

Classic snacks, photo by Cristine Struble

Still, even though consumers want convenience, the food has taste yummy. No matter how good for us the snack can be, it can’t taste like shoe leather. The classic, old school snacks will always have a space on store shelves. Just look at the hype behind the annual Do Us A Flavor Lays campaign. People can’t resist a good potato chip.

So regardless of your region’s favorite summer snack, enjoy the snacks that make you smile. After all, summer is about having fun and making memories.

More from FoodSided

Cristine Struble

Cristine Struble has been a highly regarded food journalist for over 10 years. From food trends to traveling the world for the must try cuisine, Cristine appreciates that food and culture are always intertwined. Covering chef interviews to the food innovations, she uses her extensive knowledge to bring people together around the love of a great meal. Many of Cristine's articles have been featured in various industry publications, television commercials, and food brand websites. Over the past several years, she has been named a top 10 food and travel journalist by media publications and is considered an authority within the food journalism niche. Follow her on social media at @StrublePublications or @CristineStruble to check out what is on her plate, food travel discovery, and fun adventures. Her complete writing portfolio can be found at https://authory.com/CristineStruble.