Page 7 - Food Trends

When on vacation, customers want to immerse themselves in what makes their travel destination unique, whether it be the ocean, forest, wetlands, or city skylines. But they can’t spend all their time outdoors, so lure them inside by sprinkling confection versions of the local sights in your confection selection.

As we put 2020 behind us and enter 2021, one of the top food trends isn’t a particular flavor or regional cuisine according to BakeryandSnacks.com but rather, the story behind the flavors and regional cuisines. Customers are interested in food products for more than the tastes and textures — they want to buy into a brand and the story. Stay-home orders and changes to the retail climate strengthened consumer’s desire to do business with companies that are investing in positive initiatives to help communities and employees, according to the US Chamber of Commerce.

The New Year is only days away. That means the cookies, cakes, and comfort food of the holidays are soon but a distant memory. Consumers are saying goodbye to grandma’s gooey mac & cheese and homemade cookies, and hello to fruits, vegetables, and other better-for-you foods.

This shift from indulgent feasts, to foods on the lighter side might not be as drastic as in years past. In fact, Culinary Visions found that health benefits trumped taste in consumers’ snack selections year round.

We know what they DON’T want (less salt, less fat, less carbs, fewer calories, less sugar, etc.) but what are consumers looking for in terms of healthy foods? Here are some stats for inspiration.

• US organic food sales totaled $47.9 billion in 2018, according to a survey from the Organic Trade Organization. Fruits and vegetables made up 36% of these sales, so keep pushing the produce.
• 39 states choose broccoli as their favorite vegetable, per a survey

Each year, new foods or ingredients, emerge as the “it” healthy items that everyone is rushing to add to their cart. Based on a survey of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN), Trade magazine Today’s Dietitian and health and wellness communications firm Pollock Communications identified this year’s top 10 most popular superfoods.

An interesting item revealed — RDNs observed that healthy labels were eclipsing taste in their patients’ food decisions. The takeaway — communicating the health benefits of certain ingredients is more important than ever.

You’ll see that the majority of these foods listed are items you already have on the shelves. Make sure those healthy labels are presented where they are highly visible by creating your own superfoods logo and “shelf talker” sign describing health benefits. To reinforce the signage throughout the store, post the list of this year’s “superfoods” at the front of your store so customers have a starting point for their hunt.

A hotel stay used to be a time of indulgence, from ordering late night room service, to consuming every snack in the mini bar, to stocking up on goodies from the gift shop. Not anymore. Moderation of indulgences has taken over, and health trumps taste in consumers’ snack selections, whether they’re traveling or not according to a recent survey by Culinary Visions. With more and more travelers on the lookout for healthier snack options, keep them happy by catering to their tastes with the food you stock in your hotel and resort gift shops.