Sweets & Snacks Expo

The Sweets & Snacks Expo 2026 featured 275,000 sq. ft. of clusters, nibbles, kernels and morsels debuting from over 1,000 exhibiting companies.

With the upcoming launch of its Snackmode protein fruit snack line, kid-focused snack brand BloxSnacks is betting that protein will help define the next generation of better-for-you lunchbox treats.

Rising cocoa costs and concerns about long-term supply resilience are accelerating interest in alternative chocolate ingredients. Manufacturer Barry Callebaut put the issue front and center at the Sweets & Snacks Expo last week through its expanding partnership with German foodtech startup Planet A Foods.

Sweet Stash – a new gummy candy brand founded by actor Martin Starr and influencers Ezra and Adeev Potash (a.k.a. “The Potash Twins”) – is expanding its lineup with two new products: Sour Jams and Rock Jams.

FoodStory Brands is stepping into the protein bar ring with one of its most ambitious launches yet: Main Event, a co-owned, co-developed brand created in partnership with UFC.

Discussions ranged from between combating rising cocoa prices to capitalizing on seasonal opportunities and injecting global flavors into savory snacks.

At this year’s Sweets and Snacks Expo in Chicago, Illinois, Nathan Rigby, One Click Retail’s Vice President of E-Commerce, led a presentation about Amazon’s purchasing power. Data shows that one of the largest growth opportunities for the online retailer is in the candy and snack space.

At this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago, there certainly was a bonanza of candy, confections and chocolate to be had. But the other half of the equation, the snack industry and brands, weren’t about to take a backseat. While there certainly was a sweet bent to many of the snack products, salty had its place as well. Click through to see some of the snacks we crunched our way through at the expo.