Last updated on February 5th, 2024 at 07:08 pm
Snacks can be crucial to get through a morning or afternoon filled with work or activity, especially if you had to grab a quick breakfast or lunch rather than eating a full sit-down meal. But quick commercial snacks rarely meet eco-friendly standards. From wrappers to ingredients, how many of your favorites can really be considered “sustainable snacks”?
If you only eat organic produce from the local farmer’s market, you may be snacking sustainably, however, the good news is that it’s no longer necessary to limit yourself to a piece of fruit or a vegetable. There are many innovative food companies that are leading the way in changing their industry and our habits.
Check out our post on eco-friendly dry January mixers, as well!
- What Does Sustainable Snack Mean?
- Sustainable Snacks to Try
- 1 // The Safe + Fair Food Company Dill Pickle Seasoned Popcorn
- 2 // Puffworks Organic Original Peanut Butter Puffs
- 3 // Pulp Pantry Sea Salt Veggie Chips
- 4 // Rind Coco-Melon Dried Fruit Snacks
- 5 // Hu Kitchen Snacking Gems
- 6 // ReGrained SuperGrain Bars
- 7 // Project7/Joyride Uncommon Candy Sour Fruit Chewy Gummies
- This post was about sustainable snacks
What Does Sustainable Snack Mean?
For a snack to be considered truly sustainable, ingredients, their sourcing, packaging, and a manufacturer’s practices should all be factored into a snack’s evaluation. Above all, the effects on the environment of these factors must be considered.
Snack Types
1 / Vegan Snacks
These are sustainable because they in no way contribute to the agricultural animal industry which is one of the most ecologically damaging industries on earth. The animal industry destroys natural habitats, contributes to polluting waterways, and produces more emissions than the transportation sector. A vegan snack of fruit or vegetables is not only healthy but doesn’t contribute to any of the damaging effects that the animal industry does.
2 / Organic snacks
These are certified to not use chemicals or pesticides when cultivated.
3 / Green packaged snacks
These often avoid the use of plastic in packaging or are packaged in recycled plastic preventing the tossing of discarded plastic into landfills or waterways. The recycling of plastic is not however possible with all types of plastic, so being aware of a company’s choice of packaging is critical when selecting a sustainable snack.
4 / Snacks without palm oil
Palm oil needs to be avoided when selecting a sustainable snack. The use of palm oil contributes to the destruction of rainforests. Harvesting methods kill off local wildlife. To sustain the rainforests and the creatures living within, it’s best to avoid palm oil completely.
5 / Snacks that are fair trade
Snack companies that follow fair trade practices, and respect human labor. Laborers and employees are respected and treated well including receiving a fair salary for their work.
But true sustainability goes even further. Sustainable snacks will minimize food waste, avoid contributing to greenhouse gasses, and reduce the carbon footprint necessary for production, transportation, and distribution.
Sustainable Snacks to Try
So, what are some great sustainable snacks to curb your hunger? Consider these:
1 // The Safe + Fair Food Company Dill Pickle Seasoned Popcorn
Price: $13 ($6.50 per bag)
clean | vegan | non-GMO | gluten-free
100% vegan, this seasoned popcorn is prepared using genuine dill and dill oil. What’s more it’s perfect for those that have food intolerances to nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, and gluten. Made with ingredients that are not genetically modified it also contains no trans-fat. Healthy and tasty for those with a penchant for either dill or popcorn.
2 // Puffworks Organic Original Peanut Butter Puffs
Price: $3.77
USDA organic | vegan | non-GMO | gluten-free
Do you love peanut butter? This is a snack for the entire family. These puffs contain only three ingredients, non-GMO corn, peanut butter, and sea salt. Each serving boasts five grams of protein that is plant-based, making it not only delicious but healthy. What’s more, every bag is recyclable using TerraCycle by following the company’s recycling instructions.
3 // Pulp Pantry Sea Salt Veggie Chips
Price: $5.49
vegan | paleo | non-GMO | Bubble Goods-approved
A fan of chips? Bubble Goods has reinvented junk food in an entirely new and healthy version. These crispy chips are produced using the organic pulp juice of celery and kale and contain lots more fiber than regular chips and less carbohydrates. They also taste great with dips. Bubble Goods has recreated one of the most popular of classic snacks using upcycled sustainable ingredients that might otherwise be tossed out. Good for your health and good for the planet.
4 // Rind Coco-Melon Dried Fruit Snacks
Price: $19.99 (pack of 3)
organic | fiber-rich | zero waste
“Keep it real, eat the peel!” or so says snack producer Rind. Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, this fruit snack features organic coconut slices and watermelon including the rinds. Snack producer Rind believes in using the entire fruit to eliminate food waste. In fact, Rind snacks are zero waste snacks. For those with a sweet tooth, Rind offers several mouth-watering options that are delightfully sweet yet crunchy in texture.
5 // Hu Kitchen Snacking Gems
Price: $15 (pack of 3)
paleo | vegan | USDA organic | gluten-free
For all the chocolate lovers or chocoholics out there, fear not, Hu kitchen has the perfect chocolate snack, and believe it or not, your health is central to the recipe. Luscious dark chocolate is the star of the show contributing antioxidants and to your heart health. The recipes contain no refined sugar, cane sugar, stevia, soy lecithin, sugar alcohols, dairy, or sunflower lecithin and they are USDA certified as organic. In variety packs of three, you’ll receive simple, salty, and mint flavor options.
The food company is dedicated to reducing our carbon footprint. All ingredients are Fair-trade certified for a snack that’s both sweet and sustainable.
6 // ReGrained SuperGrain Bars
Price: $5.99
B Corp | 1% for the Planet | non-GMO | vegan
For those that prefer an energy bar on the run, ReGrain has created several tasty flavors of snack bars using upcycled grains that are byproducts and leftovers after beer is brewed. Flavors include Chocolate Coffee Stout, Honey Cinnamon IPA, and Blueberry Sunflower. Nutritious and delicious, these bars are sold in packaging that is also compostable. And this company doesn’t stop with the bars! They produce baking mixes, pasta, and puffs as well using upcycled grains on an incredible waste-free journey into an eco-friendly and sustainable future.
7 // Project7/Joyride Uncommon Candy Sour Fruit Chewy Gummies
Price: $24.99 (pack of 8)
non-GMO | vegan | fair trade
What would a snack list be without at least one pack of candies? These gummies produced by the Project7 folks are naturally flavored, non-GMO, certified organic, free of preservatives, 100% vegan, and fair-trade. Talk about sustainable! The company is dedicated to giving back in seven areas of need that they feel strongly about:
- Anti-bullying programs
- Clean water
- Education
- Homelessness
- Malaria treatment
- Providing food to the hungry
- Tree plantings
Sweet candy that even a dentist can love.
This post was about sustainable snacks
The next time you decide to buy a snack, consider one of these (or these fair trade chocolates, or these sustainable snacks with compostable packaging). They are not only good for you, but they’re great for Mother Earth. These companies all have missions from healthy food to zero waste to giving back. Block a hunger pang with a good deed and the tasty suddenly becomes tastier!
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Thank you!<3
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
Leave a Reply