Salty or sweet, healthy or indulgent, traditional or cutting edge, Americans continue to crave snack foods. In fact, a new report from Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Facts predicts sales of snacks will expand 20 percent over the next several years, moving from $68 billion in 2008 to almost $82 billion in 2013.

Packaged Facts' forecast mirrors that of The NPD Group, a Port Washington, N.Y.-based market research firm, which said it expects growing demand for on-the-go meal options to boost the number of "snacking occurrences" 18.5 percent by 2018, with the biggest increase occurring in the morning (no time for a proper breakfast).

According to the Packaged Facts, modern-day snackers demand better quality and whole ingredients, better-for-you recipes and green production practices, all of which are expected to drive up prices.

"Consumers are seeking snacks with fewer additives and preservatives," the report said, "and are spending extra dollars for organic and premium snack treats that can boost their flagging spirits over the long climb back to prosperity."

"Snack producers must do their best to accommodate the changing dynamics and multiple tastes and moods of snack consumers," said Tatjana Meerman, Packaged Facts publisher. "Not only do these producers have to cater to diverse tastes, but the pressure is on to keep prices low, health benefits high and production green; fold in a battle between big brands and private label; add a cultural yearning for simple, real and natural; and factor in the long-term effects of the global financial fallout - and you have a complicated snack market."