Consumer Insights
Coffee drinkers increasingly brew premium, specialty blends at home
As pandemic-related food and beverage trends persist, consumers are attracted to quality, unique coffee products to enjoy at home.
Food
CPG
Cultured meat could come further out of the lab in 2022
Cultured meat could come into its own in the coming years as startups scale production and work to win regulatory approval.
Food
Q&A: IFA CEO on what’s ahead for franchise businesses
Matthew Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association, discusses the growth outlook for franchising, the group’s advocacy efforts and the advantages of franchised businesses.
Consumer Insights
Into the mainstream: What’s next for organic foods and beverages?
Organic foods and beverages across categories are more accessible than ever before in terms of both availability and price.
Food
Chef Spike Mendelsohn on the magic of mushrooms for plant-forward cooking
Chef and PLNT Burger founder Spike Mendelsohn spoke about the versatility of mushrooms for creating craveable, plant-forward dishes during the Global Plant-Forward Culinary Summit at the Culinary Institute of America.
Food
SmartSummit: How chefs and restaurants are working toward a more sustainable food system
A panel of experts discussed what is driving the call for a more sustainable food system and how restaurants can be a part of it during SmartBrief’s virtual SmartSummit, “The Future of Food: The Role of Restaurants in Creating a Sustainable Food System.”
CPG
Better-for-you brands are disrupting the snacks category
As health and wellness have become increasingly important, consumers seek out snacks with nutritional value.
Food Retail
Innovation in private-label grocery products is capturing consumer loyalty
Food retailers have focused on product innovation and affordable prices to bolster their in-store brands.
Food
New master’s program aims to give culinary professionals the tools to build a better food system
A new online master's program from the Culinary Institute of America aims to give current and future chefs and food industry leaders the tools to make positive changes in our food systems. The CIA's Cathy Jörin discusses the ideal candidate for the master’s in sustainable food systems and how a panel of sustainability leaders are helping to shape the curriculum.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Most consumers want QR codes as a restaurant order, payment option
The challenge will be showing consumers all the benefits of QR codes and figuring out the balance between those who want to use the technology and those who don’t.
Consumer Insights
Ideas in food and beverage: Six trends for 2022
To shed light on how cultural and demographic shifts are impacting demand for food and beverage, Hartman Group analysts recently examined six key trends in consumer culture.
Consumer Insights
Survey: Consumer sentiments around dining out post-COVID
Consumers suggest that they’re ready to move out of crisis mode and get back to business, which for the restaurant industry, means that more are getting comfortable with dining out again, albeit with some concerns about the economy.
Food Retail
Wine subscriptions maintain consumer interest
Many consumers sought out wine subscriptions during pandemic lockdowns, and continue to find value in curated wine delivery services.
Sponsored
Idahoan Foods hits the road to connect with consumers
Idahoan Foods is taking advantage of consumers’ appetite for in-person events with its “Mashed in America” tour. Idahoan’s director of retail marketing discusses why the event is perfectly tailored to the times, and how other brands can succeed with experiential programs.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Global flavors are hitting US restaurant menus in a big way
Consumers want to experiment with different cuisines in an authentic way, and while US operators are starting to catch on, there’s still huge potential for growth in authentic and global flavors.
Sponsored
SIAL America brings a new kind of food and beverage industry event to Las Vegas
Las Vegas will host its first ever Food & Beverage Industry Week March 21-24, featuring the debut of SIAL America – the only generalist food and beverage event and trade show in the US. Colleen Truman of Emerald’s Global Food Group discusses what sets the show apart from other food events.
Consumer Insights
Cooking today: Ideal meal aspirations and challenges
The Hartman Group's recent research shows how the pandemic has affected America's approach to meals today, making the ideal meal encompass a broader range of diverse needs and expectations than in years past.
CPG
Connected packaging builds valuable digital experiences
Consumer packaged goods brands seek out connected packaging to create innovative marketing opportunities establish consumer trust.
Sponsored
Eating at home, grocery shopping online will continue in 2022
Foodservice sales are projected to accelerate as restaurant traffic rebounds, but at-home eating habits formed during the pandemic are here to stay, according to Acosta’s 2022 trend predictions. Retail innovations to support e-commerce and upgrades to the in-store shopping experience are also among top predictions for this year.
Consumer Insights
How women are forging paths in the plant-based food world
Events like the Vegan Women Summit and successful entrepreneurs like Miyoko Schinner are focused on helping women-led plant-based ventures grow.
Consumer Insights
Consumers, restaurant operators feel the pinch of rising prices
Datassential’s Five in Focus Post-COVID inflation report reveals how consumers and restaurant operators have perceived rising prices.
CPG
How the CPG industry is advocating for COVID-19 vaccine, tests
Joseph Aquilina, director and counsel for the Consumer Brands Association, shares how the organization is providing education on the COVID-19 vaccine and how to keep workers healthy.
Consumer Insights
Startups chart a new course for vegan e-commerce
Startups including Vejii and PlantBelly aim to make it easier for consumers to discover and purchase vegan products online.
Food
Local sourcing can alleviate restaurant supply chain struggles
Supply issues are making it difficult for restaurants to stock their kitchens and supply closets. Some operators have found that partnering with local suppliers and distributors can help them avoid some of the weak links in the restaurant supply chain.
Sponsored
Idahoan Foods takes omnichannel approach to appeal to today’s shoppers
Idahoan Foods Director of E-commerce Chuck Coyle and Vice President of Retail Marketing and Business Development Ryan Ellis share key takeaways from the company’s growing direct-to-consumer business that can help other brands craft a successful e-commerce strategy.
Consumer Insights
Key consumer motivations driving growth in plant-based foods
Consumer interest in plant-focused products and diets is high—whether it’s for one meal, one month or frames a long-term approach to eating.
Consumer Insights
Food and restaurant trends for 2022 include robots, sustainability
Robots in restaurants, streamlined menus, booze-free beverages, a focus on sustainability and explorations of heritage cuisines are among food and restaurant experts' predictions for the top trends of 2022.
Food
Plant Based World Conference & Expo returns to New York
Plant-based brands continue to innovate with businesses that meld social responsibility and commerce.
Food
Top 10: Schools’ supply chain woes, Hy-Vee’s new COO, restaurant menu prices inflate
This week’s top 10 touched school nutrition, foodservice, food retail and CPG news with school nutrition news being widely read and taking three spots on the list.
Restaurant and Foodservice
10 future-forward foods & flavors to watch in 2022
Every December, as part of Datassential’s list of the trends to watch in the year ahead, it also release its list of the 10 foods, flavors, ingredients and dishes that should be on your radar.
Consumer Insights
Consumers consciously invest in a sustainable future through purchases
Given the mounting problems facing the planet and its global citizens, it comes as no surprise that consumer sentiment for real change has significantly increased.
Food
Top 10: Snack trends, Burger King’s drive-thru, a Skittles bed
SmartBrief’s food and beverage readers were drawn to a bevy of different stories this week, especially news focused on snacks and sweets.
Food
Health and wellness 2022: Navigating consumer aspirations, approaches
The pandemic created a renewed attention on some key consumer values that will be sure to extend well into 2022. Here are five around health and wellness.
Food
How climate change and inflation are affecting coffee prices
Factors including climate, inflation and supply chain delays have sent coffee futures soaring and led to modest increases in retail coffee prices.
Consumer Insights
A food brand’s values can be key to long-term success
Many customers, especially younger ones, want the foodservice and restaurant brands they interact with each day to speak up.
Consumer Insights
How will consumers prepare holiday meals in 2021?
Convenience is key this holiday season as the food and beverage industry continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic and supply chain disruptions.
Food
Top 10: Meijer’s recycled pavement, record menu price increases
Top news included Meijer's recycled pavement, rising restaurant menu prices and J&J's Consumer Health business spinoff.
Food
Functional beverages show no signs of slowing down
From kombucha and CBD drinks to kefir and enhanced waters, functional beverages are in the spotlight.
Sponsored
Consumer demand for carry-out, drive-thru remains high, Acosta report finds
The pandemic continues to influence how consumers purchase and consume food away from home and shape restaurants’ road to recovery, according to Acosta’s The Why? Behind the Dine report.
Food
Top 10: Onion outbreak, supply chain issues continue, Wegmans voted a great place to work
Food retail stories, along with food safety and supply chain news, made appearances in this week’s top 10, with supply chain taking almost a third of the spots on the list.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Worlds of Flavor: Global influences and local roots drive the future of dining
Chefs took the stage at The Culinary Institute of America’s 23rd annual Worlds of Flavor conference to talk about how global influences and local communities are shaping the future of dining.
Food
Top 10: McDonald’s, Target, Peet’s Coffee made news
McDonald's Friendsgaming event, salmonella infections and a culinary experience from The Fresh Market made news this week.