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take about six minutes to prepare, saving
consumers not only money but also time.
That's not to say that eating out will be
taking a back seat. The influx of people
back at work is also set to turn the notch
up on breakfast to-go. Technomic predicts
that consumers will opt to foot a lighter
bill at breakfast rather than eat out for
lunch-a satisfying expenditure that doesn't
feel as guilty.
While consumers stretch dollars and
make more sensible decisions at lunch,
Circana says the deli will see a boom as
it offers healthier, higher protein items
that shoppers are looking for. Lunches
will be packed more
often and may even
include leftovers.
2023 was a pretty eventful year for the food industry, from consumers battling rising grocery prices to the
USDA approving two American manufacturers to create cell-cultivated meat. While we don't know for sure
what the new year will bring, industry experts have been sharing their predictions on what they think will be
trending in 2024.
"Maximizing pleasure-in the forms of simple ingredients to global flavors to upscaling the everyday-and
minimizing stress, whether that means slowing down, seeking convenience or value, helping to address
environmental worries, or finding ways to boost health and mood, are all reflected in the emerging and
continuing trends we expect to impact store shelves and restaurant menus in the coming year," said Denise
Purcell, VP of Resource Development for The Specialty Food Association.
CONVENIENCE, QUALITY AND VALUE
America is back to work. Record
unemployment related to the COVID-19
pandemic has simmered and the U.S. labor
market has proven its resilience. Now with
tighter schedules and less time for families
to prepare meals, convenience will be
optimal in 2024.
Remember TV dinners? Pull the tray out
from in the box, poke holes in the plastic
seal to ventilate, then microwave for a few
minutes. Voila. Hot, "home cooked" meal.
Well, they are back in style and WITH style!
Golden West Food Group partnered with
Walmart and several acclaimed celebrity
chefs like Gordon Ramsey and Guy Fieri
to help elevate your plate (while eating in
your sweats).
Meals are as
low as $6 and
New year, new trends…
A CONSTANTLY EVOLVING CENTER OF
THE PLATE
Consumers today consider many more
things when filling their grocery carts,
like sustainability, animal welfare, and
packaging. With a focus on environmental
effects and individual health, The Specialty
Food Association believes that 2024 will
be the year cultivated meat expands as
consumers will be drawn to the ethical
approach to growing meat.
Plant-based meat alternatives will also
gain more traction in 2024-mainly in
seafood. Market trailblazers are working
together to optimize taste and texture, a
task proven difficult given the complexities
and varieties of seafood. However, it is said
that with the evolution of technology, more
companies have been willing to try.
Whole Foods also states that the plant will
be put back into plant-based with more
protein-forward products like mushrooms,
nuts, and beans in place of "complex
meat alternatives."
What the food industry
will be watching in 2024
Images provided by: By Chef Ramsay
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