Pecans Are Not Just for Pecan Pie

Alex Ott is executive director of the American Pecan Council based in Fort worth, Texas, which oversees the Federal Marketing Order for Pecans. The council's mission is to build demand for pecans. Ott said they want people snacking on pecans throughout the year like you do on almonds and pistachios and walnuts.

“Absolutely. We're just in the infancy and what we'd like to see is to grow and we need to make sure that our consumption exceeds the growing global production that that's heading our way, so we've got to keep ahead of it. And so far in 18 months, two years, we're definitely keeping ahead of that trend and we hope to continue,” Ott said.

Of course helping encourage snacking pecans is the Federal Marketing Order for Pecans, that was passed a couple of years ago. We asked Ott how that snacking's going.

“Again, we're known definitely for the pie. Whe you think pecans, you think pie

and one of our biggest challenges is letting consumers know that it's okay. You can also snack on it. And so there's a big education program going on in that as well,” said Ott. “But hey, Turtles, pies; we definitely, want the consumers to continue eat pecans in all different ways. But for those that aren't as a sweet tooth, as they say, we definitely want to make sure that they can snack on them as well,” Ott noted.

Ott mentioned that confectionary called Turtles with caramel, chocolate and pecans.

And Ott said that consumers can find pecan halves and pieces sold on the store. “Use them,” said Ott. “Incorporate that into your oatmeal and incorporate them into your parfait. And there are many other snacking options.