Top 10 Food Trends
A dramatic shift in food preparation practices, a Millennial baby boom, and a strong focus on healthful, natural, and nutritional offerings are resetting priorities for food and beverage marketers.
Article Content
Despite the recent media preoccupation with clean labels and free-from foods, the food industry remains driven by convenience. Ready-to-drink tea and coffee—up 19.5% and 14.6%, respectively, in dollar sales for the year ended (Y/E) Oct. 1, 2016—were among the top 10 fastest-growing grocery categories last year. Sales of lunch combinations (e.g., premade sandwiches, snacks, and cheese/cracker kits) grew 14.4% (Figure 1, Nielsen 2016).
In the fresh aisles, strong performers included val…
Latest News
Targeting Older Consumers
Older adults, numbering 124.4 million in 2025, represent an important and potentially untapped market for food and beverage companies.
Morning Meal Musts: Affordable, Portable, Protein-Rich
Global flavors, nostalgia, and better-for-you innovations add zest to the breakfast occasion.
What Consumers Want in 2026
Worn down by inflation and uncertain economic conditions, food and beverage shoppers want products that deliver tangible benefits per dollar.
The New Face of Private Label
Retailers are expanding and upscaling their private brand assortments as more consumers seek high-quality products at reasonable prices.
Probiotics: Beyond Digestive Health
In this column, the authors explore emerging research on how probiotics influence health beyond digestion—examining their potential roles in mental health, cardiovascular function, metabolism, immune response, cancer therapy, and skin health—while emphasizing the need for standardized studies to translate these findings into practical applications.