I think there is a football game today. Something like that. And I have a hankering for snack food – the saltier the better.
And with perfect timing, the Census Bureau has provided data on the state of snack food manufacturing in the United States. There are 717 snack food manufacturers in the country, and the top three states for snack food manufacturing are California, Texas and Pennsylvania.
We manufacture snack food in NC too. As a matter of fact, food manufacturing overall is the top manufacturing employer in the state. As of 2021, NC has 31 snack food manufacturers that employ 2200 people. These companies are located all over the state from Watauga to Durham to Bertie counties. Let’s look at a few snack food manufacturers that call NC home:
- Snyder’s/Lance: Lance, Kettle Chips, Cape Cod, Pop Secret, Emerald and Tom’s to name a few
- Flagstone Foods: nuts (including Ann’s House of Nuts), a variety of trail mixes and other treats
- Benestar Brands: pretzels, tortilla chips and pork rinds
- LC America: vegetable-based snacks in a variety of shapes
- Frito-Lay: what don’t they make? Lays, Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Sun Chips…the list goes on and on
- Keebler: Crackers and chips
- Bertie County Peanuts
- Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies
- Chapel Hill Toffee (could also do double duty for a certain holiday that is coming up right after the Super Bowl)
- Carolina Nut Company: peanuts and snack nuts
- Carolina Fine Snacks: Wicked Crisps, a “better-for-you” treat
I could keep going, and we haven’t even tackled the beverage options yet. But I won’t. So today as you settle in front of the TV to watch the game, check to see if your snack is made in North Carolina. You might be surprised!