There’s no denying the beauty of convenience. Being able to eat what you want when you want it is an amazing thing, especially when what you want tastes so delicious. However, finding ready-to-eat snacks you love that are also great for the world is easier said than done.
In recent years, both consumers and businesses have gotten hip to how they can impact the world around them and are interested in making sustainable choices when they can. That’s where sustainable snacks come in, or snacks that make a positive impact on the world around us, from reducing carbon emissions to using compostable packaging.
Here at Hive, we work to bring conscious brands and like-minded consumers together. From grab-and-go bars to snacks for your next party, we’ve got you covered with our roundup of sustainable snacks.
12 Sustainable Snacks To Add to Your Cart
While all the brands we work with follow sustainable practices, below are some of our favorite snacks to add to your next order.
1. Quinn Foods Popcorn and Pretzels
Started by a mom looking for better snack options for her kids, Quinn Foods specializes in snacking favorites like popcorn and pretzels — all without any unnecessary chemicals. With treats like chocolate-filled pretzel nuggets or savory rosemary and parmesan popcorn, Quinn Foods has a wide range of bites to satisfy every taste bud.
How it does good:
- Supports regenerative agriculture efforts
- Ingredients sourced ethically and sustainably
2. Cerebelly Smart Bars
If you’ve ever struggled to feed your baby with nutrient-rich food you can feel good about, Cerebelly’s Smart Bars are a great fit. Created by Teresa Purzner, a mother and neurosurgeon, Smart Bars are packed with fruits, vegetables, and crucial nutrients needed for proper development. Made in kid-friendly flavors like strawberry-beet and blueberry-banana, these are sure to become a staple in your pantry.
How it does good:
- Sources from high-quality farms in California, Oregon, and Washington
- Partners with Baby2Baby to donate products to children in need
3. Cult Crackers
There’s no crowd-pleaser quite like a charcuterie board packed to the brim with meats, cheese, veggies, and crackers. Next time you’re putting together the ultimate spread for Girls’ Night or when hosting your in-laws, add in some Cult Crackers for a satisfying crunch. With over 20 grams of protein and recyclable packaging to boot, Cult Crackers have done the work to earn their following.
How it does good:
- Packaging recyclable through TerraCycle
- Made in small batches for sustainable production
4. Singing Pastures Roam Sticks
Nothing says on-the-go quite like a stick of jerky. Now, you can get that same taste you know and love without compromising your values, thanks to Roam Sticks by Singing Pastures. They pride themselves on not using any stimulants or GMOs, and they even practice regenerative agriculture for cleaner soil and happier pigs.
How it does good:
- Animals are pasture-raised and given non-GMO feed
- Family-owned farms the practice regenerative agriculture
5. Pipsnacks
Pour some Pipsnacks into a bowl at your next get-together and be amazed at how fast they disappear. These crunchy little delights come in many forms and flavors, but no matter which one is your favorite, you can rest assured that they’re made from responsibly-sourced and natural ingredients. Another bonus? Their packaging is recyclable through TerraCycle programs.
How it does good:
- Responsibly-sourced ingredients from small family farms
- Upcycling practices for low-waste production
6. Simple Mills Bars and Cookies
From soft-baked banana bread bars to almond flour cookies, Simple Mills is here to offer a healthier and sustainably-made alternative to all your childhood favorites. In the mood for something savory rather than sweet? Try out their almond flour crackers in a variety of flavors like sea salt, cheddar, and tomato basil.
How it does good:
- Baking practices help reduce impacts of oil disposal
- Uses plant-based ingredients as much as possible to reduce environmental impact
7. Amy’s Salsa
A brand you’re likely already familiar with, Amy’s has been making sustainable delicious since 1987. In fact, they were one of the first companies to use recyclable cans without a BPA lining. We recommend digging into Amy’s Medium Salsa for a snack that’s sure to please salsa aficionados and heat-averse munchers alike.
How it does good:
- Recyclable packaging
- Ingredients sourced from local, organic farms
8. Rhythm Superfoods
Grown from an experiment in a juice bar in Austin, TX, Rhythm Superfoods has taken the healthy snack world by storm. With air-fried favorites like buffalo cauliflower bites and zesty nacho kale chips, Rhythm is a great way to get the same sports-bar tastes you love without all the additives.
How it does good:
- Solar power makes up 15% of their used energy
- Follows regenerative agriculture and manufacturing practices
9. BjornQorn Popcorn
Solar may be all the rage, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a company that takes its commitment to solar energy more seriously than BjornQorn. The brand prides itself on its energy-independent farms that give back to their communities, meaning you don’t have to feel bad about eating the entire bag of popcorn in one sitting. And given how good these sun-popped kernels taste, we wouldn’t blame you if you did.
How it does good:
- Fully solar-powered production
- Easily recyclable packaging
10. Theo Chocolate
Get your chocolate fix from the first organic, fair trade certified chocolate maker in North America with Theo Chocolate. Whether you’re craving a chocolate bar or a pop-in-your-mouth cookie bite, Theo Chocolate’s got it. With a focus on ethical working conditions and giving back to the surrounding community, this brand is one sweet deal you can feel good about indulging in.
How it does good:
- Uses low-emission shipping methods for international orders
- Prioritizes sourcing from smallholder farms
11. Frubites
If you’ve ever picked up a snack at the grocery store only to find you can’t pronounce half the ingredients, you know how frustrating finding healthy snacks can be. Enter: Frubites. Made with one ingredient and one ingredient only — real fruit — you can munch on their freeze-dried strawberries, bananas, apples, and more without worrying about preservatives or chemicals.
How it does good:
- Improving wages paid by cutting out the middle man and working directly with farmers
- Freeze-drying extends shelf life and reduces food waste
12. Homefree Cookies
Cookies are a family favorite. But if you (or your little one) has allergies, finding sweets free from the top fourteen major allergens can be difficult. The founders of Homefree know your struggle and have created allergen-free cookies that taste great to help bridge the gap between convenience and health in delicious flavors like lemon burst and double chocolate chip. Another bonus? They have their own dedicated facility so there’s no risk of cross-contamination.
How it does good:
- Cookie boxes made from wind power
- Has been donating cookies to essential workers during the pandemic
Creating a lifetime of sustainable habits doesn’t have to be difficult. By taking small (and delicious) steps such as snacking smart and opting for sustainable grocery stores like Hive, you can make your way to a lifestyle that lasts.