Cheese Nips are a popular cheese cracker made by Nabisco. The crunchy, cheesy snacks have been around since the 1960s. However, in recent years, some shoppers have had trouble finding Cheese Nips on store shelves, leading them to wonder: is Nabisco still making Cheese Nips?
Brief History of Cheese Nips
Cheese Nips were first introduced by Nabisco in 1962. The baked cheese crackers were designed to compete with Cheese Nibs, a similar product made by Sunshine Biscuits. Cheese Nips grew in popularity over the years, becoming a pantry staple for many households. Different varieties were introduced, like reduced fat and 100 calorie packs. In the 1990s and 2000s, Cheese Nips became available in a wider range of flavors like bacon, cheddar jack, and four cheese. Today, original and cheddar are the two standard flavors. Over the brand’s 60 years, Cheese Nips have become one of Nabisco’s most well-known and successful snack foods.
Recent Changes to Availability
In the last few years, some shoppers have reported difficulty finding Cheese Nips on store shelves. There seem to be a few reasons behind this.
First, Nabisco appears to have quietly discontinued some varieties of Cheese Nips. The bacon, cheddar jack, and four cheese flavors have become much harder to find in stores. Additionally, the 100 calorie packs have been discontinued. Nabisco has not made any public announcements about these changes, but availability indicates certain sizes and flavors are being phased out.
Second, production and distribution of Cheese Nips may have been impacted by supply chain issues. Like many manufacturers, Nabisco likely faced challenges getting ingredients and packaging during the pandemic. They’ve also been impacted by factors like labor shortages and transportation delays. This has led to inconsistent stock and availability of Cheese Nips for retailers.
Finally, demand for cheese crackers remains high, resulting in sell-outs. When stock does hit store shelves, it often sells out quickly. This can make it appear like the product is no longer being made, even when it actually is.
Are Cheese Nips Discontinued?
So does this lack of availability mean Cheese Nips are discontinued?
The answer is no. Cheese Nips do not appear to be discontinued at this time. While certain flavors and sizes may no longer be made, the original and cheddar varieties remain in production.
Nabisco’s parent company, Mondelez International, has not issued any announcements about Cheese Nips being discontinued. The crackers are also still listed as an active product on Nabisco’s website. Additionally, Cheese Nips continue to appear in grocery order guides and retail inventory systems, signifying ongoing production and distribution.
Here is a summary of the key points indicating Cheese Nips are still being made:
| Evidence Cheese Nips Still in Production |
| – No discontinuation announcements from Nabisco/Mondelez |
| – Original and cheddar flavors still on Nabisco website |
| – Continue to be listed in grocery order guides |
| – Still found in retailer inventory systems |
While availability may be spotty, all signs point to Nabisco maintaining production of original and cheddar Cheese Nips. Discontinuation of a brand as large and well-known as Cheese Nips would not occur quietly. The company would formally announce any plans to stop making this established product.
Why Has Availability Decreased?
While Cheese Nips are still being made, why has it been more difficult for shoppers to find them lately? There are a few key factors behind the decreased availability:
Discontinuation of Certain Varieties
As mentioned, Nabisco appears to have quietly stopped production of certain Cheese Nips flavors (bacon, cheddar jack, etc) and 100 calorie packs. This streamlining of the lineup means less Cheese Nips stock overall in stores. Retailers likely continue ordering original and cheddar, without other varieties that have been dropped.
Supply Chain Disruptions
Like most food manufacturers, Nabisco has dealt with pandemic-related supply and logistics challenges. Shortages of ingredients, packaging, and trucking have interrupted Cheese Nips production and distribution. This has led to lower inventory levels and inconsistent stock across retailers. Supply is still catching up with demand.
High Consumer Demand
Despite supply challenges, demand for Cheese Nips remains high. When stores do get shipments, the popular crackers quickly sell through. This gives the impression of scarcity, even when supply chain issues are largely to blame. As long as consumers continue purchasing Cheese Nips at a brisk rate, temporary sell-outs will continue.
Manufacturing Changes
In 2021, Nabisco closed two U.S. bakeries that manufactured Cheese Nips – in Atlanta, Georgia and Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Production appears to have been consolidated to a few factories. These major changes likely impacted supply as production shifted facilities.
When Will Cheese Nips Supply Recover?
It’s unclear exactly when Cheese Nips availability may return to normal levels. However, many industry experts expect supply chain conditions to continue improving in 2023.
As ingredient and packaging inventory builds back up and transportation networks smooth out, Nabisco will likely be able to produce and distribute Cheese Nips more consistently. Retailers can eventually expect steadier shipments to meet consumer demand.
Shoppers can expect Cheese Nips stock to progressively improve and stabilize over the coming year. But sporadic sell-outs may continue in the short term as supply and demand rebalance. Overall though, Cheese Nips remain a core Nabisco brand – they are not disappearing from store shelves permanently.
Finding Cheese Nips When in Short Supply
When facing a shortage of Cheese Nips at your local stores, there are a few tips for tracking down those cheesy, crunchy crackers:
– Check less frequented retail locations like dollar stores, drug stores, convenience stores, and larger gas stations – these outlets may have better stock when groceries sell out.
– Shop early in the morning right after store deliveries are unpacked for the best selection.
– Ask store employees when their delivery trucks arrive and try to shop that day.
– Use a product locator online to find all stores in your area carrying Cheese Nips. Expand your search radius if needed.
– Consider placing an order online for delivery or in-store pickup at a retailer that shows Cheese Nips in stock.
– Buy a multi-pack case online through websites like Amazon to stock up when supply is low.
– Sign up for in-stock alerts online so you’re notified as soon as Cheese Nips are available at chosen stores.
Alternatives While Supplies Are Low
If you still can’t locate Cheese Nips, consider some similar alternative snacks:
| Brand | Product |
|---|---|
| Cheez-It | Original and White Cheddar |
| Better Cheddars | Nabisco |
| Goldfish | Cheddar and Parmesan |
| Ritz | Real Cheese Crackers |
| Cheese Itz | Original |
These cheese crackers can help fill the snacking void until Cheese Nips production fully rebounds.
The Outlook for Cheese Nips
While concerning to loyal fans, the supply issues experienced by Cheese Nips in recent years appear temporary. Nabisco continues manufacturing their signature cheese crackers, focusing on the classic original and cheddar flavors. Availability should stabilize over time given steady consumer demand and improvements in supply chain conditions. Patience and flexibility as production and distribution normalize will ensure Cheese Nips remain a satisfying pantry staple. Even with recent challenges, the nostalgic cracker brand looks poised to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year and keep delighting cheesy snackers for decades to come.
Conclusion
To summarize, Nabisco confirms it is still producing Cheese Nips crackers despite recent scarcity on store shelves. Supply chain disruptions and high demand have interrupted availability, but production continues. Stock is expected to stabilize over the coming year as inventory and delivery networks improve. In the meantime, shoppers can find Cheese Nips by checking secondary retailers, shopping early in the morning, and using online locating tools and alerts. Substitute snacks can also fill the void until the iconic cheese crackers are consistently available again. Given its long history and popularity, Cheese Nips remain a core product for Nabisco – their intermittent absence from stores appears to be only temporary.