Article: Meat snacks move forward: as consumers deal with economic blows, meat snack producers are looking to new flavors, formats and audiences to help drive growth in the category.(Snack Trends)

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Meat snacks may not top the shopping lists of every consumer, but beef jerky, sausage sticks and other formats are planned purchases and impulse buys that still play a role in today's tough economy.

"Consumers are really spending the same amount or more on the category," says Jeff LeFever, director of marketing for Link Snacks, Inc., maker of the Jack Link's line. That said, they're also relying more on national brands such as Jack Link's, he adds, which is growing at better than 9%.

Although meat snacks are associated with good times and fun, LeFever says, right now, "consumers are really being driven by comfort and ...

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