How We Curate: Our Guide to Better-For-You Snacks & Emerging Brands

At The Goods Mart, we don’t just wait for brands to come to us—we seek them out. We’re always on snack scavenger hunts, hitting the road, hopping on flights, and tasting our way through new discoveries. Finding the next great thing is what keeps us going, because we’re curating more than just snacks—we’re shaping the future of better-for-you snacks. 

Better-for-you, Not just ‘Healthy’

Every product on our shelves is non-GMO and free from artificial colors, dyes, and preservatives. We use better-for-you because our brands prioritize clean, high-quality ingredients and transparency. But we steer clear of the word healthy—because health is personal and every body is different. Instead, we curate products that cater to a range of lifestyles and cravings—whether gluten-free, plant-based, or low-sugar, alongside options made with organic cane sugar, grass-fed proteins, and regenerative snacks.

Taste Is the North Star

TASTE. ALWAYS. COME. FIRST.

If it doesn’t deliver on flavor, it’s out. Every product goes through a taste test with our team and a crew of trusted snack enthusiasts. We know everyone’s palate is different, but we look for flavors that hit just right.

We cover the sugar spectrum—from stevia and monkfruit to real sugar, date syrup, honey, and coconut sugar. But balance is key. If something’s too bitter or has that artificial aftertaste, we pass.

Texture matters, too. A satisfying crunch, a perfect chew, a gummy that actually gives—we obsess over these details.

And when a product claims a specific flavor–it better deliver. No false promises here.

Early Adopters & Snack Trends

We’re here for the up-and-comers, the disruptors, the pioneers. We love discovering brands and snack trends before they hit the mainstream, giving them a home on our shelves, and helping them grow. Think Olipop (we had it back in 2018), Smart Sweets, and GoMacro. If it’s shaking up the industry, we want in *early*.

We have a thing for spotting the next big thing. That means some of our products might feel a little ahead of the curve—but trust us, you’ll be seeing them everywhere soon. Give them a shot now, and you’ll be that friend who says, “Oh yeah, I found that at The Goods Mart first.”

We also believe in giving brands real feedback, helping them refine and evolve so they can go from cult favorite to household staple. 

Packaging? A Plus, But Not the Dealbreaker

Don’t judge a snack by its package.  We’d rather have a snack that tastes great, with ingredients we trust and a founder with a story rather than just another chic box. More importantly, we appreciate a label that makes its message and nutritionals clear—because if you’re spending good money, you should know exactly what you’re getting. (And our team is trained to fill in any gaps.) 

So let’s discover together. Let’s champion the small but mighty. Let’s turn indie brands into cult classics. That’s what The Goods Mart is all about.