March 4

National Snack Day

A food observance on March 4 celebrating the joy, variety, comfort, and convenience of snacking in all its forms from healthy bites to indulgent treats.

Yearly Date

March 4

Observed in

United States

Introduction

Celebrate National Snack Day on March 4 and treat yourself to your favorite snacks! After all, snacking is an important part of life. People have been enjoying snacks since ancient times, when they used natural ingredients like nuts, fruits and grains to satisfy their cravings between meals. Today there are so many delicious snack options available that it can be hard to decide which one you should enjoy first!

National Snack Day Timeline

10,000 BC

The First Snacks

Human eating habits shift; we begin experimenting with foods leading to the creation of the first snacks made of grains, nuts, and fruits.

3000 BC

Bread as Ancient Snack

The Egyptians started baking bread, a food item that came to be widely used as a snack throughout history.

500 BC

Popcorn: A Snack Hits Its Stride

Popcorn, made by heating kernels, serves as a lightweight and easy-to-carry snack for many ancient cultures, notably American Indian tribes.

1853

Inception of Potato Chips

Restaurant cook George Crum invents the potato chip in response to a customer complaint about thick french fries, making it a popular snack.

1930

Twinkies Come on the Scene

The first packaged snack cake, the Twinkie, is invented by James Dewar, fostering a whole new genre in the snack industry.

2017

National Snack Day

National Snack Day is officially recognized in the U.S., giving snack lovers a day to celebrate and indulge in their favorite treats.

How to Celebrate National Snack Day

1 Create a snack board

Gather up all your favorite snacks, such as chips and dip, pretzels, popcorn, crackers, nuts, and candy and arrange them on a large board or platter. Place the board in the center of the table and enjoy.

2 Host a snack tasting party

Invite your friends over for an evening of snacks and rating. Everyone brings their favorite snacks and you provide the rating cards. Enjoy trying out all the different snacks while rating each one.

3 Visit a local bakery

Treat yourself to some of the best snacks around. Visit a local bakery for freshly baked cookies, cupcakes, brownies, muffins, pies or cake.

4 Make your own snacks

Take some time to make your own snacks. Whip up some guacamole and tortilla chips, bake some sweet potato fries with your favorite seasonings, or try making popcorn balls.

5 Organize a snack drive

Organize a snack drive for a local food pantry or homeless shelter. Collect donations from friends and family or ask local stores for donations of nonperishable snack items such as granola bars, crackers, chips, nuts, dried fruit and candy.

Why We Love National Snack Day

Snacks are convenient

Snacks are great for busy days when you don't have time to sit down and eat a full meal. They're quick and easy to prepare, and can provide you with the boost of energy you need to get through your day. Plus, there's a wide variety of snacks available today, from healthy options like nuts and fruits, to indulgent treats like cookies and cakes.

Snacks promote creativity

With snacks, the possibilities are endless! There are so many different flavor combinations that you can try, from sweet and salty mixes to savory delicacies. From trail mix and granola bars to pita chips with hummus - get creative and have fun in the kitchen trying out new recipes!

Snacks are a healthy choice

By making healthier snack choices such as nuts, seeds or fresh fruit, you can help keep yourself energized throughout the day without packing on extra calories. Snacking can also be a great way to add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet that may be lacking from other meals or drinks.