| Want to know about one of the newest trends in | | | | these options have been particularly well received by |
| fundraising? Among the fastest growing segments of | | | | fundraising customers. |
| the fundraising industry is beef jerky fundraising. But | | | | Another major change is that schools now have to |
| why? And how did beef jerky get to the point of | | | | comply with health requirements when picking their |
| being so popular of a fundraising idea? | | | | fundraising ideas. That has eliminated candy bar and |
| When asking questions of that involve a major shift | | | | cookie dough fundraisers from many school |
| within an industry it nearly always makes sense to | | | | campuses. |
| look at the industry as a whole and see if there have | | | | These trends have led to products that are healthier |
| been any recent changes. Historically candy bars, | | | | and still offered at the $1 price point to fill the void |
| specifically chocolate bars, have been one of the | | | | left by candy bars. And that is where beef jerky |
| leading fundraising products having dominated the | | | | fundraising comes in. |
| industry with items that cost only $1. But since late | | | | Beef jerky is a great fundraising program because it |
| 2008 the input costs of chocolate bars have been | | | | fulfills all of the criteria for a successful fundraiser. |
| rising and that has driven up the cost of chocolate | | | | The product is easy to sell, easy to carry, has a very |
| bars which has led to 3 outcomes. The chocolate | | | | long shelf life, offers great profits, is consumable, and |
| manufacturers have either raised prices, shrunk bars, | | | | is cheap enough that anyone can afford it. |
| or exited the fundraising business altogether. None of | | | | |