OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — A report in Convenience Store Products magazine shows consumers’ tastes for savory snacks (like chips and dips) and sweet snacks (candy bars and chocolate) are determined by the time of day, while consumption of better-for-you snacks (fruit, yogurt and breakfast bars) is predicted more by place.

Citing a recent study by The NPD Group, Port Washington, N.Y., the report said consumers typically seek out healthier snacks in the morning, consuming them throughout the day, whereas savory snacking picks up midday, and the desire for sweet snacks is more apparent in the evening.

A third of snack/appetizer items consumed for, or instead of lunch or dinner are from the savory snack category, according to the report. More than a third of snacks consumed after dinner are sweet, and more than 40% of snacks carried from home and eaten at school, work, in the car or at other locations are better-for-you.

“All snack foods are not treated equally by consumers depending on the time of day,” said Darren Seifer, NPD’s food and beverage industry analyst. “Marketers of snack-food products need to communicate with consumers based on day-part, while better-for-you snack marketers need to be more focused on location, as in-home vs. away from home.”

Click here to read the complete C-Store Products report.