Snacks are where it’s at for C&U students

CHICAGO — Forget the traditional breakfast, lunch and dinner mealtimes. Today’s on-the-go college students would rather snack, a Y-Pulse consumer study conducted in September 2014 finds.

When are they snacking?

According to the survey, the majority of full-time college students prefer to snack two times a day with the late afternoon being a prime snack time. But they’re not limited to that: 10% of full-time students say they snack as many as five times a day, compared to just 5% of other survey participants. The study also finds that snacking frequency has increased for almost half (43%) of full-time students during the past year, and only 18% say they are snacking less often.

What are they snacking on?

Yogurt and fruit topped the morning favorites list, the survey finds, while mini sandwiches or wraps are preferred for an early afternoon bite. College students reach for fruits, chips and salty snacks in the late afternoon. Before dinner, cheese and fruit will satisfy, and bakery items and fruit are preferred for a post-dinner nosh.

When it comes to finding out about new snacks available to them, college students learn the most about food and beverage information from television (53%), while 47% look to their friends and family for new ideas.

Where are they snacking?

Thirty-six percent of full-time students are snacking more often at quick service and fast casual restaurants than they were a year ago, and 40% say they are snacking less often in casual dining restaurants, the survey says. Nearly half of all college student respondents are snacking about the same at supermarket delis as the previous year and seeking snacks less often at convenience stores. However, convenience stores remain top of mind when these students are looking to feed an immediate craving. More students are cooking more often as well: 60% of respondents share that they prepare meals at home more often than the previous year.

Cravings are still king when it comes to driving snack purchases, impacted the most by convenience of location and value perception. But food flavor and quality are important as well when college students are buying from a casual dining establishment or supermarket deli, and cost is the major factor when choosing a snack from a convenience store.

How much will they pay?

When it comes to price and snacking choice, it varies by the time of day, according to the survey. Full-time college students expect to pay between $1 and $3 for a morning snack and $4 to $5 for a snack in the afternoon or evening, but they expect to pay more at supermarket delis, convenience stores and quick service restaurants.