BOSTON — Interest in “little treat culture” and sustainability are growing in popularity, especially among consumers who prefer to splurge on snacks that fit these criteria. Boston-based Fancypants Baking Co. intends to answer the evergreen question, “How can I have both?” with its crispy cookie product line.
Research from Puratos USA’s “Taste Tomorrow” report found that 45% of consumers have an interest in products made from upcycled ingredients, and a recent Mattson study revealed that 99% of consumers see food waste as an issue. These findings, in addition to data from Circana that indicated center store cookies grew 27.5% in 2023, unveiled an avenue for Fancypants, which uses upcycled oat flour, to flourish.
The company’s founder and CEO Maura Duggan started Fancypants in 2004, selling decorated shortbread cookies to local in-store bakeries (ISBs).
“I started with cookies because that’s something I had always baked with my mother and grandmother growing up,” Duggan said. “I loved the tradition and the nostalgia of baking cookies.”