A. Elizabeth Sloan

3 weeks ago | ift.org | A. Elizabeth Sloan

Meat and poultry purchases and consumption have reached an all-time high thanks to a dramatic drop in those trying to avoid meat (from 37% in 2022 to 22% in 2025) coupled with consumers’ ongoing interest in adding protein to their diets, according to new research from FMI, The Food Industry Association. Datassential reports that protein is now the most sought-after healthy descriptor on restaurant menus.

Jul 30, 2024 | ift.org | A. Elizabeth Sloan

While food futurists point out that Generation Alpha (born/to be born between 2010 and 2025) will be one of the largest and most influential demographic groups of all time, why wait to target them? They’re big business right now. In the United States, the Gen Alpha population comprises 42 million kids with another 3.5 million Alpha babies projected to arrive in 2025.

Jul 3, 2024 | ift.org | A. Elizabeth Sloan

With U.S. sales of $207 billion in 2023—up 149% in the past decade, according to the Specialty Food Association (SFA)—specialty foods have broad-based appeal. Sales are projected to reach $221.5 billion this year and enjoy a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% from 2023 to 2027. Experts consider specialty foods dependable predictors of high-potential food and beverage market opportunities.

Jun 5, 2024 | ift.org | A. Elizabeth Sloan

Despite being hard-hit by economic pressures, the $18.8 billion seafood sector is swimming with opportunities. For example, at-home seafood preparation and consumption has climbed 6% (to 59%) over last year, according to FMI, The Food Industry Association. Adventuresome Gen Zers and millennials comprise over half of frequent seafood eaters, FMI notes in its 2024 Power of Seafood report. Frozen remains the largest retail seafood category with sales of $6.7 billion for the year ended Dec.

Feb 26, 2024 | ift.org | A. Elizabeth Sloan

Just about everyone knows that it’s a good idea to eat more fruits and vegetables, and about seven in 10 consumers are trying to do so, according to Datassential. HealthFocus reports that four in 10 consumers say a claim that identifies a full serving of fruits or vegetables is very important to them.