Page 3 - Wholesale Gourmet Food

Outside might be gray, but 2022’s food trend forecast is sunflower, floral, and citrus, with a chance of teatime. We combed through this year’s predictions and identified the top food trends you need to follow now.

Streaming services have changed how we consume movies— and movie theater snacks! Streaming is bringing the whole theater experience home, including the beloved concession munchies. Popcorn is still the star of the show, with market research firm Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) reporting the ready-to-eat popcorn/caramel corn category grew 8.7 percent, with total sales of $1.6 billion in the 52 weeks ending May 16, 2021 (Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery). Popcorn offers consumers a blank canvas to experiment with flavors. Time to roll out the red carpet and add some popcorn A-listers to your selection.

Let’s get poppin’ and get to the kernel of who the latest “it” popcorns are at the moment.

Love is in the air! Cupid’s packing his arrows and retailers are stocking their shelves to hit the mark this Valentine’s Day. Even with last year’s challenges, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported Americans spent $21.8 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2021. While chocolate and candy might make up 54% of gift plans (NRF), competitor analysis company, Competitor Monitor reports “staying in” and “creating an experience” are emerging trends for Valentine’s gifts. Time to think outside the (chocolate) box with exceptional food experiences.

Our expert food matchmakers offer advice sure to get customers’ hearts all aflutter.

Agritourism destinations are cropping up everywhere and interest continues to grow, as more tourists opt for seclusion and fresh air over crowded tourist traps. It’s so popular, agritourism is expected to expand by $4.33 billion between now and 2025 (Smartbrief). What exactly is agritourism or agritainment? Agritainment/Agritourism includes anything from an all-inclusive “farm stay”, to corn mazes, to you pick farms, to wineries, to mazes in flower fields or corn fields, to farm stands, and even local plant nurseries. Even with the shift to rustic and rural destinations, tourists still expect similar amenities they’d find at a traditional tourist spot – including gift shops stocked with goodies to bring home. Keep your shop fully stocked and nurture your profits with candy and specialty foods to sell alongside your fresh produce or homemade baked goods.

With beautiful locales and scenic views, your selection shouldn’t be the standard fare found at any box store checkout. Think

Home baking continues to heat up, with 2020 baking ingredient sales totaling $26.5 billion, and shows like “The Great British Baking Show” are topping everyone’s watch list (Prepared Foods). Inspired by baking shows, or simply more time at home, consumers want to up their baking game. So much so, they’re purchasing baking kits from some major players like cupcake bakery, Sprinkles, and celebrity baker Duff Goldman (Bake Magazine). But kitting shouldn’t be reserved for major chains. Baking kits are a terrific (and easy) way to get creative with your bulk candy assortment and increase sales post holidays, or any time of year.

No expert baker on staff? No problem! It doesn’t take much to transform cupcakes from plain Jane to social media sensation. See our fun suggestions to get those creative juices ‘doughing’.

Whether consumers are marching back to the office, or rolling out of bed to the home office, chances are they’re doing it with a cup of coffee in hand. According to the National Coffee Association, 62% of Americans drink a cup of coffee every day, with most having on average a little more than 3 cups a day. And the brew in those cups is anything but ordinary. More and more customers are demanding exceptional coffee with all the premium trimmings. Transform employee break rooms and home coffee bars from ‘BEAN there done that’ to ‘where have your BEAN all my life?!’ with these 3 piping hot coffee trends.