Americans are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to decide what snacks to buy.
According to Conagra Brands, this comes as consumers seek products that offer specific nutritional benefits, stronger flavours and greater convenience.
The shift is changing how shoppers discover food, with consumers increasingly asking AI tools for recommendations based on needs such as higher protein or fibre rather than searching for specific brands or products.
Conagra, the maker of Slim Jim meat sticks and Hunt’s ketchup, worked with research firm Circana to analyse more than 53 million shopping transactions involving 17,000 products across the U.S. snacking market.
The research found that the sector generates $198.2 billion in annual retail sales and is growing about 1.4 times faster than the broader food market. Conagra said changes in how Americans eat and shop have accelerated significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Snacks are playing a bigger and more personal role in consumers’ lives,” Bob Nolan, Conagra’s senior vice president of growth science, said Wednesday. Consumers are increasingly looking for snacks that provide protein, sustained energy or indulgence, he said.
Health considerations are contributing to the shift. The growing use of weight-loss drugs and changing attitudes toward nutrition are encouraging consumers to pay closer attention to ingredients and the nutritional value of snacks.
Younger consumers, particularly members of Generation Z, are also influencing the market through stronger demand for distinctive flavours. Conagra’s research found increased interest in combinations such as sweet and spicy, as well as tangy and briny flavours.
At the same time, traditional snack categories including cookies and salty snacks have come under pressure as consumers increasingly seek products that serve a specific purpose.
Nolan said demand for nutrient-dense snacks and “snacking for purpose” has been accelerating as consumers become more deliberate about what they eat.
The growing use of AI adds another layer to the change. Instead of navigating supermarket shelves or online retailers based on familiar brands, consumers can describe what they want and receive recommendations tailored to those requirements.
For food companies, the development creates another channel through which consumers can discover products, while making product attributes such as protein, fibre, ingredients and flavour increasingly important to how products are presented.
Conagra’s findings suggest that AI is becoming part of the food-discovery process at a time when the U.S. snacking market is already undergoing significant changes in consumer preferences.
The company said the combination of evolving health priorities, changing tastes and AI-assisted shopping is contributing to a more personalized approach to snacking in the U.S.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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