9 Exciting Snacks to Liven Up Your Lunchbox: Highlights from the Fancy Food Show

Are you looking for some new ideas for snacks or lunchbox treats? Wondering what to pack in your bag for a long trip or an afternoon playdate? Well, you've come to the right place. Snacks are a thing in this house. The Jersey Momma's Boy would live on snacks alone if he could (actually, he might just be living on snacks alone, now that I think about it), so I am always on the lookout for healthier snacks or better-for-you treats. My suggestions come from the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York. This event features amazing food vendors from all around the world. I was able to sample so many tasty treats and meet some wonderful people who wanted to introduce me to their products. So here are some of my picks from the show (and you know how I roll, right? No one paid me for this- these are my honest opinions on what tasted really, really good). Onward!

1. Bakerly Crepes and Snack Cakes

It's no secret that I love sweets and desserts. But so many packaged sweet treats contain icky ingredients- chemicals, preservatives, food dyes and more. Just peek at the ingredient list on a Twinkie and you'll see what I mean. So when I met the kind folks at Bakerly, I was more than a little excited. Bakerly brings a little bit of France right here to the U.S. Their line of mini brioches, chocolate croissants and chocolate or strawberry filled crepes contain no GMO's, no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, no high fructose corn syrup, no trans-fats. I loved their little crepes, which are individually packaged and are great for a treat on the go (chocolate filled was my favorite but they were both delicious). Use their store locator online to find them near you. You can also find them on Amazon here, or order directly from the Bakerly website.

2. Beanfields Bean Chips

One of the first things I noticed at Beanfields was that the lady behind the table at the Fancy Food Show kept eating her own samples. I found this very funny, and I thought, well, at least it's clear they like their own products! I met the co-founder and executive vice president, 'That's me on the back of the package!' he proudly said, who was so enthusiastic about his line and eager to share samples. I admit I do actually like bean food products (I know how healthy they are for you, too), and I even have a great chocolate chip cookie recipe that you can make with white beans (I swear!). Anyway, I really enjoyed the flavor of Beanfields Pico de Gallo chips the best, although the White Bean with Sea Salt was good, too. The ones with flavors (nacho, ranch, etc.) were the tastiest and least 'beany,' for you picky peeps. What's great about Beanfields? They're vegan, non-GMO, and contain lots of healthy ingredients (like fiber and protein). It also looks kind of like a Dorito, so kids won't stick their tongues out at them (you know what I mean- moms of picky eaters unite!).  And guess what? You can find them pretty much all over New Jersey, or use their store locator online to find the closest retailer to you.

3. The New Primal Protein Snacks

Did you know that The Jersey Momma's Boy holds the title of World's Pickiest Eater? Yes, he does. I think he should even have a crown. The list of foods he'll eat can fit on a post-it note. One of the things on this minuscule list is pepperoni. Weird, right? Anyway, I would rather he not consume pepperoni on a daily basis, since it's filled with nitrites and preservatives, amongst other things. That's why I was excited to come across The New Primal's Snack Mates protein snack for kids. Available in classic beef chicken and turkey, The New Primal is known for quality meat, grass-fed cattle and free-range turkey, antibiotic free, hormone free, all the good stuff! You can find their products throughout the state of New Jersey, in some health food stores, or purchase right through their website.

4. Cookie Pop Popcorn

As far as I know, Cookie Pop isn't available in snack size bags yet, but it's worth buying a regular size bag to pack for snacks, let me tell you! If you enjoy sweet treats, especially sweet popcorn, you will absolutely love Cookie Pop. A mixture of Oreos and Popcorn, Cookie Pop is seriously addictive. I'm not sure whether it counts as a dessert or a snack or both! Either way, it makes a great addition to your snack bag, and would also be fun in a bowl at a party or barbeque. I've tasted all kinds of flavored popcorns, but I've never had anything quite like Cookie Pop. You can find them at pretty much any Walmart, and they're even coming out with new flavors, too!  And guess what? Cookie Pop was launched from New Jersey. Yay for Jersey!

5. Dang Toasted Coconut Chips

Believe it or not, I am not a huge fan of coconut. I don't particularly care for the taste of coconut water (although there's one coconut water I do like- check out my upcoming post about the Fancy Food Show to find out what it is!) and I don't care for coconut raw at all. But Dang Foods Coconut chips are unique in that they are dried and broken off into little chips. They are lightly salted, so you get a cross between sweet and salty (almost buttery), which is really neat. Bonus, they're healthy for you (google the benefits of coconut- you'll see). They come in a whole slew of flavors ranging from cacao (chocolate), to savory bacon (yes, bacon!). Gluten free and all natural (the original flavor has THREE ingredients- coconut, cane sugar and salt), they are found on Amazon, some Target stores, Fresh Market, health food stores, or use their store locator online to find one near you. You can buy them through my handy dandy Amazon affiliate link here. Another bonus is that you can say funny things after you buy them, like Stop eating my Dang chips! and These Dang chips are so dang good! It seems to happen uncontrollably.

6. Petit Pot Cookies and Pot de Creme 

So this is the second French-inspired snack on my list from the Fancy Food Show. Who would've thunk it? I just totally fell in love with Petit Pot's cute little pot de creme mascot, too! If you're wondering what a pot de creme is, it's kind of like a little pudding (like a creamy custard). It comes refrigerated in these adorable glass jars, with flavors like dark chocolate, vanilla, salted caramel, lemon curd, and rice. Certified organic, gluten free and non-GMO with super wholesome ingredients, this is about as good as you can get (sooo much better than those pudding cups they sell in the store, right??). Petit Pot's products are available to purchase online right through their website or find them in your local supermarket in the refrigerated section (usually by the milk or desserts and cold puddings). Note that the newer versions of Petit Pot no longer have lids. They come in a more sustainable package and have changed the label a bit, but the product is still the same. They also offer a plant-based version!

7. SugarBowl Bakery Brownie Bites and More

The Petite Brownie Bites from Sugar Bowl Bakery can fit in the palm of your hand. Made with wholesome ingredients, they make a nice treat on the go.  Their newest organic line (some of which is pictured below) will feature 100% compostable packaging. For real!!  The box pictured below is recyclable, and the brownie's wrapper is also compostable. You can read about it here. If brownies aren't your thing, Sugar Bowl Bakery also offers a variety of sweet treats,  including madelines, cookies and batter bites. Sugar Bowl Bakery products can be found at a variety of retailers, including Costco, Sam's Club and Target. Check online for the list of retailers in your area.

8. Pasta Chips from Vintage Italia

Vintage Italia's Pasta Chips are like having a little bit of Italy right in your snack bag. I loved the light flavor and the way they reminded me of a spaghetti dinner. They come in typical pasta flavors, like alfredo, marinara, veggie and more. In a few months you'll even be able to find the Bow Tie shapes pictured below, in unique flavors like this one: meatball parm!!  How cool is that?? You can find them in Wegman's, Walmart, and other stores around the state. They are also sold on Amazon.

These are coming soon!

9. (my number nine choice sadly went out of business post-pandemic, so stay tuned to see what I pick to replace it!)

Be sure to check out my other posts about The Fancy Food Show, including Fabulous Frozen Treats to Try This Summer. You can also use my Amazon affiliate links below for some of the snacks mentioned in this article!