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Pay it Safe in the COVID-19 Era

2020-07-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – In a time of global crisis — pandemic, economic or political — fraudsters and scammers are willing and ready to prey on communities. These ‘bad guys’ take advantage of people’s vulnerabilities by offering false employment offers, bogus cures and treatments and fake promises of assistance and products.

Today is no different. Scammers and fraudsters are in full force — in less than six months, consumers across the U.S. have made nearly 100,000 related reports to the FTC.

Zelle®, a fast, safe and easy way to send and receive money with people you trust, has dedicated resources to studying scammers’ strategies and protecting consumers from abusive scams and fraud. As the largest bank-owned payment network, Zelle has identified today’s top scams and how consumers can protect themselves:

Practice caution when buying a “quarantine puppy”

Families abiding by stay-at-home orders might think now is the perfect time to adopt a puppy. Unfortunately, that means a rise in scammers who advertise nonexistent puppies for sale online. According to the Better Business Bureau, puppy scams have spiked during the pandemic. Red flags include requests for payment in gift cards or wired funds, too-good-to-be-true pricing and no opportunity to see the pup before you buy.

Beware of charity scams

We all want to give back during this time, but be cautious of scammers who may be trying to take advantage of your generosity. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. Urgency is a clear and consistent scammer strategy. Do your homework first. You can refer to FTC Donate Wisely to help you research charities. You should also reconfirm all email and website addresses since scammers will spoof these to look like actual email addresses or websites.

Be extra vigilant when buying products that are hard to come by

Online sellers might claim they have in-demand products, such as cleaning, household, health and medical supplies. But before you place an order, make sure to do your research or you may never get your shipment. Verify the seller by searching online for the person’s or company’s name, phone number and email address, plus words like “review,” “complaint” or “scam.” If everything checks out, pay by credit card and keep a record of your transaction. If you’re concerned about the pricing of products in your area, contact your state consumer protection officials. For a complete list of state Attorneys General, visit https://www.usa.gov/state-attorney-general.

Keep an eye out for suspicious calls, texts or emails

Scammers may use fake emails, calls or texts to get you to share valuable personal information — like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or your login IDs and passwords. They will use your information to steal your money, your identity or both. Do not respond to these emails. Contact companies directly. Protect your computer by keeping your software up to date and by using security software, your cell phone by setting software to update automatically, your accounts by using multi-factor authentication and your data by backing it up.

Only use P2P (person-to-person) payment platforms with those you trust

The majority of scams revolve around customers sending money to people they don’t personally know for products or services that don’t actually exist. Only transact with people you trust and with reputable marketplaces.

Watch out for scams related to stimulus payments

Don’t respond to emails, texts or social media messages about checks from the government. There is no shortcut to get your stimulus payment from the U.S. Treasury Department faster, so watch out for anyone who claims ‘we can speed that payment up for you for a fee,’ or ‘click here for your payment.’

In the COVID-19 era, we are all more emotionally charged than ever. Don’t let scammers take advantage of the situation to take your information or your money, now or ever. If you do get scammed, inform your financial institution as soon as possible. They can help by putting protocols in place in an effort to stop those scammers from not only hurting you again, but also protecting others in the future.

For more tips and resources on how to pay it safe and protect yourself from scammers, visit https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe.


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To beat COVID-19, science must lead the way: An inside look at the development of a vaccine

2020-07-06T06:31:00

(BPT) – Around the world, more than 10 million people have been infected with COVID-19, more than a half million have died, and thousands are still diagnosed daily. In an effort to stop its spread and eradicate COVID-19 forever, the global scientific community has been working together to develop a vaccine in record time.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, research, development and distribution for a new vaccine could take up to 15 years. But today, healthcare companies around the world are racing against the clock to create a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine in a matter of months.

“This is an Apollo-13 moment on a global scale,” said Seema Kumar, Vice President Innovation, Global Health and Science Policy, Johnson & Johnson, referring to the heroic and herculean effort it took to save a precarious space mission. “The very best minds around the world are working around the clock, with extreme urgency, with great innovation and science and with great collaboration to save people everywhere.”

But what will it take to develop a COVID-19 vaccine? The Road to a Vaccine, a live digital series from Johnson & Johnson, goes behind the scenes to explore the COVID-19 crisis and the global community’s efforts to develop a working vaccination at a record pace. Journalist Lisa Ling hosts the series, which brings a broad range of experts from the scientific community, including scientists and frontline health workers, together with the public to discuss the world’s response to the pandemic. Building off millions of video views in its debut season, The Road to a Vaccine enters its second season this month, diving further into truth, transparency and science of COVID-19 and the path to a potential vaccine.

What is the coronavirus?

Coronavirus is a class of viruses in animals and humans. There are coronaviruses that cause the common cold and others that cause more serious sickness, such as the original SARS virus in 2003, the MERS virus in 2012 and now COVID-19.

How is COVID-19 different?

On the premiere episode of “The Road to a Vaccine,” Chief Scientific Officer for Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Paul Stoffels, said COVID-19 is different for two reasons: It’s spreading extremely fast and there’s no immunity. Organizations are working tirelessly on a vaccine in hope of making one available next year. He says there is a great need for the global health community to ensure the vaccine is available to those most at risk, such as healthcare workers who care for ailing patients.

How does a COVID-19 virus enter healthy cells?

Dr. Rinke Bos, principal scientist, vaccines at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, explains that the COVID-19 virus has spikes on the outside that are needed for it to enter the cell. She says that a successful vaccine would need to introduce antibodies that bind to those spikes so it could no longer penetrate a cell. When you inject a vaccine like this into healthy people, it signals the immune system to start making antibodies that do this.

How would a potential vaccine work?

While there are different methods to create a vaccine, one potential option is to use a common cold virus that is changed so it can’t replicate in humans, meaning it won’t cause disease. However, it still serves as a carrier to bring in a piece of the COVID-19 virus to stimulate an immune response. This carrier would include the genetic code that creates antibodies that bind to the COVID-19 spikes, preventing it from penetrating a human cell.

Episodes of The Road to a Vaccine series are live Tuesdays at 12 p.m. EDT with recordings available immediately. The second season of the series debuts July 7. Learn more and view online at JNJ.com/RoadtoaVaccine, LinkedIn.com or Facebook.com.


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5 steps companies might consider before reopening their office spaces

2020-07-05T14:01:01

(BPT) – Sponsored by Office Depot

After weeks of having employees work remotely whenever possible, many organizations are developing plans to reopen their physical workplaces. For many business leaders, this is a challenging time as they try to determine how to reconfigure their offices after quarantine. Putting a plan in place may be the best solution. A return-to-work plan may mitigate the closure of offices for additional and more enhanced cleanings, help prevent lost productivity and help reduce absenteeism. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that lost productivity due to absenteeism in the U.S. cost employers $225.8 billion annually — or $1,685 per employee — through a combination of direct and indirect costs.

To help position your business for a successful reopening, Stephen Mohan, EVP, Business Solutions Division for Office Depot, Inc., recommends considering:

Site assessment

Partner with a business solutions provider and conduct a site assessment. Details derived from an assessment of the site can help develop facilities plans, and programmatic cleaning strategies. It may help guide your change management strategies and your reconfiguration of the workspace with tools and equipment like physical barriers, entrance screening stations, space dividers, floor markings, and signage outlining traffic flow to facilitate social distancing.

High-touch surfaces

Assess key areas used regularly by employees, including the lobby, work areas and offices, restrooms, cafeterias, elevators, storage spaces, high-traffic hallways and stairs, auditoriums, break rooms, classrooms/training rooms, parking garages, gyms and conference rooms. These areas may require additional cleaning or separate strategies.

Social distancing

Currently the CDC recommends a minimum of 6 feet between people for proper social distancing. This will likely mean reconfiguring many work areas, including cubicles, small-group collaboration spaces and larger meeting rooms with appropriate seating, capacity limitations and traffic pattern signs.

Touch-points and cleaning

Determine how to limit touch-points in the workplace and enhance cleaning and disinfecting practices. Identify what cleaning products are appropriate for your business, such as stronger and more durable disinfectant wipes, DIY cleaning stations, low or touchless motion-activated solutions, and consider whether antimicrobial products or furniture may benefit your workplace.

Communications

Consider how to have ongoing and transparent communication with your employees as you work through the phases of welcoming everyone back into the office. Provide employees with clear communication about safety and cleaning protocols through the use of digital and print signs, posters and literature. You may want to maintain an open-door policy for employees to voice their concerns or ideas for improving the workplace.

Learn more today

Thoughtful planning and proactive action today will help build confidence with employees. Learn more at business.officedepot.com about how Office Depot can help organizations keep their businesses running smoothly while employees across the nation begin the process of returning to the workplace.


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4 ways to help keep your dog protected and happy this summer

2020-07-02T16:03:00

(BPT) – With the country beginning to reopen, don’t forget about your pet. While you return to your favorite summer activities including hiking and swimming with your dogs, it is important to be aware of a few things first. Senior Technical Services Veterinarian at Bayer Animal Health, Dr. Zach Miller, shared these four simple tips to keep your pets happy and active in the coming months:

  1. Transition your dog back into a normal routine – Many Americans have been home due to COVID-19 restrictions, in turn making their pets very happy. Over time, your dog may have become used to the non-stop attention, so reverting back to our normal schedules where many will be out of the house more often may cause separation anxiety among pets. To help ease your dog into the transition, start by creating a predictable routine and slowly getting them used to you not being home. Grab your keys and leave the house at the same time each morning for a short period of time. This will help them get used to the action of you leaving, without going cold turkey. As time goes on, you can stay away from home longer, until your pet no longer experiences anxiety.
  1. Don’t forget to stay on top of flea and tick prevention – During the summer months, pet owners tend to bring their pets along for their many outdoor adventures. While enjoying the great outdoors, whether you’re on a hike or going for an afternoon walk, it’s important to help protect your pets from pests including fleas and ticks. A recent survey conducted by the makers of Seresto® found that nearly half (48%) of pet owners who use a monthly flea and tick medication forgot to apply the treatment at least once over the past six months. These lapses in treatment can open pets up for new infestations or cause expensive treatment setbacks. A great way to overcome these forgotten doses is to instead use a flea and tick preventative that doesn’t require monthly application — like a Seresto® collar, which prevents fleas and ticks for eight continuous months. This eliminates the hassle of remembering and applying monthly treatments and creates no mess because of its non-greasy formula.
  1. Be cautious of stagnant bodies of water – It’s natural to want to let your pets play in a body of water in warmer temperatures, especially if you begin venturing out for hikes or camping. However, many pet owners are unaware of the danger that swimming in stagnant ponds or lakes may pose for animals. Blue-green algae, commonly found in stagnant bodies of water, can be potentially lethal to animals when ingested, causing particularly catastrophic harm to their liver. As a pet owner, it’s best to make sure your dog avoids drinking or playing in standing water with a visible film on its surface. Help your dog cool down by bringing plenty of water along with you instead!
  1. Reach out to your vet to find out about any new protocols – Because COVID-19 restrictions vary by state, one of the most important things to do as a pet owner is proactively reach out to your local vet clinic to find out more about their current policies. If you have an emergency, are they accepting walk-ins or are they by appointment only? Are they currently doing wellness exams? By taking the time to find out protocols of these locations, you and your pet will be prepared in case of an emergency.

There are still many unknowns about what the future will hold. Keeping your pet happy and protected doesn’t have to be one of them!


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Expert Series: Frito-Lay Chief Customer Officer Mike Del Pozzo Sheds Light on the New State of Snacking

2020-07-02T21:01:00

(BPT) – By Mike Del Pozzo

Snacking isn’t slowing down this summer.

The week of Fourth of July is historically the biggest week of the year in the U.S. for Frito-Lay and salty snacks. Although eight in 10 Americans say summer will look very different, one in three Americans plan to snack more compared to last summer in light of COVID-19, regardless of how they are celebrating this season, according to Frito-Lay’s U.S. Snack Index.

We’ve seen consumer behavior shift in many ways over the last couple of months, but snacking doesn’t appear to be slowing down. In fact, IRI retail sales data shows that Memorial Day sales were up this year — salty snack sales were up 9 percent and early June data shows salty snacks were up by 5 percent.

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew the most vital concern was the health and safety of our employees. In addition, during this time, we knew we had to maintain the trust of our retail customers and consumers. As the landscape of the pandemic evolved, our company continually shifted strategies to reassure them that we would be there to supply our products, no matter what.

Meeting Demand in a New Normal

As the first stay-at-home orders began in early March, shopping patterns dramatically changed. Shoppers flocked to their local retail stores to stock up on everything they thought they would need at home, causing many products to become scarce.

In the last couple of months, Frito-Lay has seen an increase in demand for products such as Lay’s, Tostitos, Doritos and Cheetos. Salty snacks have been the number two food contributor to sales growth at retailers since early March, according to IRI retail sales data. Our company responded to this sudden surge with quick action by streamlining production of some varieties of our core brands to focus on maintaining supplies of our most in-demand products.

Reducing product assortment to ensure the availability of products on store shelves nationwide set us apart. And, in recent weeks, we have brought back 95 percent of the snack flavors that were temporarily paused.

Snacking Creates a Sense of Normalcy

While snacking is a constant among American adults, the feeling it evokes, from comfort to normalcy to happiness, varies based on where they live. Adults in New York and Chicago are the most likely to feel comfortable (88 percent and 87 percent), adults in Dallas and Miami are most likely to feel happy (90 percent and 89 percent) and those in Los Angeles are the most likely to feel a sense of normalcy (90 percent) while consuming snacks.

The overwhelming majority (83 percent) of national respondents from the Snack Index survey said their favorite summer snacks remind them of good times, and nearly half (48 percent) said eating their favorite snack makes them feel happy, which goes back to our mission of creating smiles with every bite.

A Close Eye on Consumer Behavior Shifts

During this time, we’ve also seen a spike for unflavored tortilla chips (up 31 percent) and corn chips (up nearly 14 percent) as more people are enjoying things like nachos and Fritos pie as meals. Plus, dips — salsa, queso, bean dips — are also up 21 percent. We expect that to continue throughout the summer months.

Additionally, the U.S. Snack Index survey data revealed that 92 percent of the respondents who tried new varieties said they plan to continue to eat them once the pandemic is over. Most of those consumers who were willing to try new snacks in the “new normal” skewed younger, with Generation Z and millennials as the most adventurous: Nearly 4 in 10 (36 percent) said they were likely to try new snack options — with variety and convenience the top drivers of their purchases.

Keeping a finger on the pulse of our consumers is key to providing the right product at the right time.

Keeping Up with How Consumers Shop

Finally, it pays to recognize that shopping practices have changed due to the pandemic — since those habits may stick around. Online sales are up for snacks 43 percent since March 1 of this year and 74 percent year-over-year.

Our team at Frito-Lay launched the company’s first ever direct-to-consumer website, Snacks.com, in just 30 days as a response to the pandemic. Providing the quick, convenient access to products our consumers want will ensure they have another option to purchase their snack favorites.

This is an incredibly challenging time for all industries, but understanding our consumers has unlocked our ability to make quick adjustments to how we operate.

Mike Del Pozzo is Chief Customer Officer, Frito-Lay North America.


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Boating is booming: How to ride the wave of demand and get top dollar for your boat

2020-07-02T14:59:00

(BPT) – Not only is it peak boating season, but the impact of COVID-19 has inspired a renewed interest in boats from coast-to-coast as people start getting outside and enjoying the water while maintaining social distancing.

Boat Trader — boating’s largest online marketplace — confirmed this spike in demand in all regions across the country and reported that their traffic in the second quarter jumped 74% over 2019. Even areas less known for boating are seeing record-high listing engagement. What’s more, all boat types, new and used, are experiencing a buying boom with center consoles, pontoons, and ski/wake boats among the most popular segments in terms of lead volume.

Because many boat manufacturers around the world were forced to reduce or halt production in the wake of the global pandemic, the current rise in market activity suggests there will be tighter inventory later in the year. As interest in boating shows no signs of slowing and supply shrinks as new boaters buy boats, the time is ripe for current boat owners to ride this wave of demand and sell and upgrade now before a possible waiting period for new models sets in.

What do surging boat sales mean for boats currently sitting in driveways?

Buyers are snapping up affordable inventory: Right now, as historic numbers of people are looking to buy a boat, marketplace insight shows the highest demand is for vessels priced under $25,000, followed by boats under $50,000.

Sale prices are up: According to data from Boat Trader, in May and June the average sale price per boat sold in the used, under 26-foot category, increased 5.24% — more than $1,600 — over last year. Though there are many factors that determine the sale price of a boat, like condition, engine hours and age, this trend is yet another signal that demand is strong.

Families want to go boating: Americans, to the tune of more than 10 million boat shoppers per month, are relying on the convenience of technology more than ever to get on the water. For a minimal price, you can sell your boat locally on Boat Trader and get up to 10 times the exposure of free ads. The site also populates boat specs from the manufacturer, making it easy to list and market your boat.

How to sell your boat faster and for top dollar

Beware the buzz: There’s a joke in real estate about spotting watchwords in listings. For example, “close to shopping,” could mean you can hear traffic noise from the backyard. Be careful writing a boat listing with phrases like “custom paint!” or “rebuilt engine!” because, without explanations, these well-meaning buzzwords can raise red flags.

Picture perfect: Upload multiple photos to your boat listing and post the best photo first to encourage maximum engagement. The “sweet spot” falls between 11 and 25 photos, and in these times of social distancing, share video tours. Listings with video tours see more activity than those without.

Market price: Position your boat as the catch of the day with competitive pricing. To determine an accurate price range for your boat, look at listings for similar boats in similar condition. For quick research, use the Boat Trader Price Checker tool.

Be responsive: As the seller, it’s important that you build trust with a potential buyer, which can lead to a faster sale and willingness to pay more money. Respond within 24 hours — if not sooner — to keep interest high and attract that perfect sale.

The bottom line is this: Timing is everything. If selling your boat has crossed your mind, either in order to upgrade or put money in the bank, the time is now. Surging interest in boating and limited inventories could mean faster sales and more money in your pocket if you take action today.


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Healthcare heroes you haven’t heard about

2020-06-29T23:01:00

(BPT) – As the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are eager to celebrate healthcare workers on the front lines who cope with the disease every single day. You’ve probably heard countless stories of the amazing acts of kindness and courage exhibited by the doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff who are facing the virus head on.

But among the brave and selfless healthcare providers who put their energy, compassion and even their health on the line to give care to the suffering are many unsung heroes — the healthcare workers in long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

Their untold stories involve not only their capacity to acknowledge and mourn great loss, but also their dedication to providing the compassion and care required to help their residents persevere and recover.

In a time like this, they deserve recognition for their sacrifices.

Mother and daughter team

In Indianapolis, mother and daughter team Lenore Williams and Aubrey Baker both work at long-term care facilities. Williams says that colleagues at CommuniCare, a national, family-owned company that operates long-term care, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities across the country, has helped hundreds of residents recover from the virus.

“Our division alone has recovered over 150 patients, and I think it has largely been due to the love and care our staff provides,” said Williams, a regional director of clinical care for CommuniCare.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, long-term care facility employees have learned and implemented strict new protocols for bolstering resident and staff health and safety — including lockdowns that unfortunately keep residents apart from their loved ones.

“There are people who care about your family members that are in here. We are trying the best we can,” said Baker, a qualified medication aide at Wildwood HealthCare Center on Indianapolis’ east side. “They are very scared, and I try to tell them that it is going to be OK,” said Baker.

Baker tested positive for COVID-19 back in March but has fortunately since recovered. As soon as she was cleared to return to work, despite her mother’s wishes, she went back to the COVID 19 unit.

Care at long-term facilities goes way beyond COVID-19

Healthcare workers at care facilities provide vital daily care and assistance for those unable to care for themselves. They are dedicated to continuing to provide that quality care to the best of their ability — despite the dangers and challenges of the current pandemic.

“For our patients’ physical and mental well-being, we wake up every morning, put on our scrubs and protect our patients,” says Ashley Johnson, nurse at Landmark Nursing Home in Texas. “We reduce injury. We improve health. We work with recovery, post-operative care and sometimes assist with palliative care. We maintain skills in supporting someone with degenerative diseases. We help people develop, recover and improve skills needed for daily living and working. We help people communicate ‘I love you’ to their loved ones after a stroke. We improve quality of life and will continue to do so for our residents.”

Read inspirational stories of recovery and kindness, then send your own messages of thanks and encouragement to healthcare workers and residents in long-term care and assisted living at CareNotCovid.com.


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The Return of the Great American Road Trip

2020-07-02T08:01:01

(BPT) – Road trips offer exploration, discovery and adventure at your own pace. Car picnics, roadside attractions, historical sites, lake visits, rolling through the Great Plains or canyons, up to the mountains or down to the beach — regardless of where you go, memories are sure to be made at any age. The pandemic has prevented many from traveling these past few months and the summer offers the opportunity to test drive socializing again with family and friends who may live far away.

For many travelers, vacationing in 2020 will look different than previous years. The current environment has led to the cancellation of many trips and made travelers reconsider long plane journeys and visits to international destinations. It seems like the right time to return to a favorite pastime — the Great American Road Trip!

Whether you’re taking the family away to a weekend historical destination, visiting the grandkids, or trekking across the country in search of quality time away from where you sheltered in place this past spring, there are a few key steps to plan your journey. Some tips for planning the perfect road trip follow below — if you’re an AARP member there are plenty of benefits that can help you hit the open road in comfort, style and within budget.

  • Pack wisely. Make sure to check the weather forecast at your trip destination so you can pack accordingly, from sunscreen to rain gear. Summer weather can be unpredictable so always have an umbrella stored in the car or in your bag. Considering that the operating status of visitors centers — not to mention your own comfort level of stopping at rest stops — may vary, it’s wise to pack non-perishable food items or load a cooler up with your favorite snacks and sandwich fixings so you never go hungry. If you forget something, from shampoo to sunscreen to snacks, Walgreens’ locations across the country have all the travel essentials. Don’t forget to link your AARP membership card to your Walgreens Balance® Rewards account to earn additional benefits.
  • Plan lodging. When mapping out your route, consider where you’re going to spend the night and break the trip into manageable driving segments. After a few days on the road, you may want to spend two or more nights at the same hotel so you can relax, refresh and see the local sights, instead of rushing on your way. For accommodations, check out Best Western Hotels & Resorts, which has launched its We Care Cleansm cleanliness program to keep guests safe and enhance confidence during their stay. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is another option if you’re planning to hit the open road. Wyndham offers a wide selection of brands across the country at various price points and is committed to putting guests’ well-being first with Count On Ussm enhanced health and safety protocols.
  • Prepare and protect for the drive. A car is the key ingredient in a road trip. Before you hit the road, make sure your car is up to the task. Safe driving starts with a safe vehicle, so make sure you’re ready to go and get a drive-thru oil change, check your tire pressure and make sure all your fluids are topped off at Valvoline Instant Oil Change.

Roadside assistance is essential for peace of mind wherever your journey may take you. Allstate Roadside plans, including Roadside Elite, help travelers when the unexpected happens on the road. Benefits include 24/7 towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout assistance, fuel delivery and more. Not enough room for you and the family or worried about adding hundreds of miles to your daily driver? No problem. You can rent the right car with confidence for your road trip with Avis and Budget car rentals, with locations nationwide.

  • Explore local food. Discovering local foodways is one of the best parts of road tripping. A stop at a farm stand for just-picked peaches, roadside barbecue, a sweet treat at an ice cream stand, or other regional specialties (boiled peanuts, frozen custard, pit beef, burnt ends, tamales, fried clams, kolaches, lobster rolls, pasties) can be a highlight of your trip.

Last but not least, make sure you have a handle on the current guidelines and re-opening status of where you will be visiting and keep in mind the following travel and safety tips:

  • Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find the most up-to-date guidelines for travel in the U.S.
  • Visit the website for any state you plan to drive through or visit. Understanding the re-opening phase of the state and local communities is important. The state website will also highlight any executive orders from the governor such as mandatory masks, quarantine for out-of-state residents, or testing requirements for entering the state.
  • Explore the websites of tourism boards for destinations where you will be visiting to see what is open and to manage expectations (for example: mask requirements, outdoor seating only, curbside pickup, delivery, capacity limitations).
  • Keep masks and hand sanitizer in your car for easy access.

And finally, take photos, make memories and look away from your tablets and phones. After being closed inside for several months, it’s time to break away. Enjoy the open road!


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6 Fun Facts About How People Are Snacking in Summer 2020

2020-07-01T21:53:00

(BPT) – The majority of Americans (86%) agree that summer will look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest U.S. Snack Index from Frito-Lay, which looked at how consumers are snacking this summer.

The U.S. Snack Index found that indulging in favorite snacks can help people feel happier and can bring back a feeling of comfort and a sense of normalcy. These top findings provide insight into American snacking trends during summer 2020:

1. Snacks are an essential part of summer celebrations

Did you know that the Fourth of July is historically the biggest week of the year for salty snacks? While this year will most certainly look different, salty snacks will still be the center of American celebrations. Frito-Lay produces more than 200 million pounds of snacks leading into the Fourth of July holiday — which adds up to more than 5% of Frito-Lay’s annual production.

2. For some, snacks improve mood

While snacking is clearly a constant among American adults from coast to coast, the U.S. Snack Index found that the way eating snacks makes people feel varies depending on where in the country they live. For example, Chicagoans are the most likely to say that they feel comfortable when eating their favorite snacks, while Los Angeles residents say that they feel happy eating snacks, and residents of Dallas are the most likely to report feeling a sense of normalcy from eating familiar snacks. No matter where you live, snacking tends to improve everyone’s mood during otherwise challenging times.

3. Snack foods inspire cooking creativity

As more people are cooking at home, they’re creating fun, family-friendly dishes like nachos and Fritos pie as meals. Therefore, it’s no surprise that sales of unflavored tortilla chips like Tostitos are up 31% and corn chips like Fritos are up nearly 14%, according to Information Resources, Incorporated (IRI). To add some flavor variety to your summer, check out Tostitos.com/recipes for new menu ideas — including Greek nachos, Italian nachos and even Philly cheesesteak nachos.

4. Classic snacks remain favorites

No matter what changes, the classics stay just as popular. The summer salty snack of choice is unflavored tortilla chips, according to national data and the top five local markets where Frito-Lay polled consumers. But runners-up include multipack snacks as a top pick in Miami, Dallas and Chicago, where they seem to be looking for daily variety.

5. Bi-coastal friendly competition
Summer brings to light different preferences based on where people live. In a classic rivalry, Los Angeles residents will reach for the classic salted potato chips, like the iconic Lay’s, while New Yorkers grab flavored tortilla chips like Doritos.

6. Staying home means shopping at home

Even though the U.S. Snack Index data showed that some consumers still prefer to shop in person when they can, it’s not surprising that online sales for snacks are up 43% since March 1 of this year, and 74% when compared to last year. So, power up your device of choice and get shopping. To order all your favorite snacks — or to try some new varieties — check out Snacks.com.