Why Meat Sticks Are a Better Fundraising Choice Than Candy for Schools & Sports Teams

For decades, candy bars have been a go-to option for school groups and sports teams looking to raise funds. They're easy to sell, familiar to buyers, and inexpensive to stock. But as awareness around health, nutrition, and responsible fundraising grows, many organizations are starting to rethink their fundraising choices.

Enter: Country Meat’s meat sticks—a protein-packed, on-the-go snack that’s quickly becoming the smarter, healthier, and more profitable alternative to traditional candy fundraisers. Here’s why your school or sports team should seriously consider switching from candy to meat sticks for your next fundraiser.

1. Meeting the Demand for Healthier Snacks

Today’s parents, teachers, and community members are far more health-conscious than they were a decade ago. The rise in awareness about childhood obesity, diabetes, and the importance of balanced nutrition has made sugary snacks less appealing to many families.

Meat sticks offer a healthier profile:

• High in protein

• Low in sugar or sugar-free

• Lower in carbs

• Often keto-friendly

Unlike candy, which offers a quick sugar rush followed by a crash, meat sticks provide lasting energy — perfect for active kids, athletes, and busy adults alike. By offering a snack that aligns with modern health trends, you’ll naturally broaden your customer base beyond those who might decline candy for health reasons.

2. Better for Athletes and Active Lifestyles

Fundraising is often tied directly to sports teams, youth leagues, or extracurricular programs. These groups rely on sustained energy, strong nutrition, and healthy habits.

Selling high-protein snacks like meat sticks is more aligned with the values and needs of athletes than selling candy bars loaded with refined sugars. Imagine a soccer player refueling with a protein-rich snack instead of a candy bar that leaves them sluggish on the field.

When your product supports the healthy, active lifestyle your team promotes, it reinforces your group’s image and mission — and that’s a win-win for everyone.

3. Higher Perceived Value = Higher Profits

Let’s face it — candy bars are everywhere. Gas stations, grocery stores, vending machines. And most people know they can pick one up for around $1 anytime.

Meat sticks, on the other hand, are considered a specialty snack. Consumers are accustomed to paying $2 to $3 (or more) for a single meat stick at convenience stores. This means:

• At Country Meat’s average pricing, your customers are getting an incredible value at a lower price point. 

• Buyers feel they’re getting a premium product

• Country Meats snack sticks are typically sold 2 for $3, and you keep half of the proceeds from your fundraiser, meaning buyer perception is that they’re getting more bang for their buck and are supporting a good cause while they do it.

With better margins and a premium perception, meat sticks can outperform candy bars in overall fundraising profit, even if you sell fewer units.

4. Broader Appeal to Adults

While kids may love candy, many adults — especially parents — are wary of purchasing it, whether for health, dietary, or lifestyle reasons.

Meat sticks appeal to a wide demographic, including:

• Parents looking for healthier snacks for themselves or their kids

• Fitness enthusiasts

• Keto and low-carb dieters

• Office workers seeking convenient protein options

• Outdoor enthusiasts and hikers

You’re not just targeting a sweet tooth — you’re tapping into a much larger market of snackers looking for something satisfying and guilt-free.

5. Less Competition & Market Fatigue

Candy fundraisers are everywhere. So much so that some buyers are simply tired of them.

By offering meat sticks, your fundraiser stands out from the crowd. You’re providing a product that’s unique, practical, and fresh in the eyes of supporters. It’s far more likely that a potential buyer will take interest when they see a snack option they don’t already have in their pantry.

6. No Melting, No Mess, Longer Shelf Life

Candy, especially chocolate, comes with logistical challenges:

• It melts in warm weather

• It gets crushed or deformed in packaging

• Its shelf life can be limited

Meat sticks, especially vacuum-sealed or individually packaged options, are:

• Shelf-stable for months

• Easy to transport

• Less prone to damage

• Safe to sell year-round, even in summer

This makes meat sticks a practical option for both the seller and the buyer, reducing waste and worry.

7. Supports a Positive Brand Image

Schools and sports teams are increasingly mindful of the messages they send to their communities. Selling candy — with its links to unhealthy eating and childhood obesity — may feel contradictory to promoting wellness, discipline, and health.

Switching to meat sticks helps reinforce your organization’s commitment to healthier living and responsible choices. It signals that your group is forward-thinking and cares about the well-being of its supporters.

8. Easier to Pair with Modern Fundraising Trends

Online ordering, contactless delivery, and community partnerships are modern trends in fundraising. Meat sticks lend themselves well to these methods:

• Traditional Fundraising - You place an order and sell anywhere hungry folks are looking for a quick, healthy snack.

• Online Fundraising - Every order placed through your custom store is shipped directly to your supporters.

• Brochure Fundraising - Download our pre-order forms and collect orders and money from customers.

Your fundraiser doesn’t have to be limited to door-to-door sales — and meat sticks give you flexible, creative ways to maximize impact.

9. Encourages Repeat Purchases

Unlike candy, which many people avoid buying in bulk, meat sticks are a snack people enjoy stocking up on — especially if they’re part of their daily routine.

Once customers try a high-quality meat stick, they’re more likely to come back for more. This opens the door for follow-up fundraisers, recurring sales, or even pre-order campaigns.

10. It’s a Conversation Starter

Finally, meat sticks offer something candy can’t — novelty.

When someone sees a school group or sports team selling protein-packed snacks, it sparks curiosity. It makes your fundraiser stand out and gives your sellers a story to tell:

“We’re selling healthier snack options this year — want to give them a try?”

That simple shift in the pitch can lead to better engagement and higher sales.

So, why Fundraise with Country Meats?

Candy fundraisers aren’t going away — but they are losing their edge in a world that values health, wellness, and smarter choices. Country Meat’s sticks are not just a snack; they’re a reflection of a shift toward better eating habits, smarter fundraising strategies, and meaningful community support.

If your school, sports team, or organization is looking for a fundraising option that’s focused on better health, more take-home profit, and better alignment with your values, it might be time to leave the candy bars behind — and give meat sticks a try.

Get in touch with Country Meats today to learn about our products can turn your fundraising effort into dollars.