Can Vegan Dating Apps Impact the Plant-Based Category?

A growing number of vegan dating apps are putting a social spin on the plant-based movement. But how relevant are these meatless match-making services to the food industry at large?

Taking Stock: The Current State of Plant-Based

This industry review looks back on the major sales figures and trends that shaped the state of plant-based over the past year.

Plant-Based Meal Kits Keep Growing

As pandemic demand for meal subscription services dwindles, the industry continues to evolve — for better or worse. Could plant-based varieties boost overall market growth in the year ahead?

Heavenly Hydration: Drinkable Rainwater on the Rise

As climate concerns continue to shake up the food industry, Richard’s Rainwater is bottling fresh rain with a focus on localized access and sustainability.

Challenges Ahead for Plant-Based Innovation

Innovation continues to play a critical role in plant-based product advancement, but significant challenges remain in the year ahead.

Report: CPGs Tap into Multi-Sensory Experiences

From fragrance-driven LTOs to shopping in the metaverse, consumers will be seeking multi-sensory experiences in 2023, according to a new report by Trendincite LLC.

Functional Health, Global Flavors Driving Ingredient Trends

Consumers are redefining healthy eating with a growing taste for functional, authentic, and adventurous ingredients, according to a new report from Tastewise.

Plant-Based Trends to Watch in 2023

What will 2023 hold for plant-based? The Food Institute spoke with several industry analysts to explore what’s in store for the year ahead.

Outlook Sizzling for Plant-Based Deli Meats

Lunch meats were a star player at retail throughout the pandemic and that trend is retaining its momentum. But can this boon boost demand for plant-based deli cuts?

Does the Restaurant CPG Trend Have Staying Power?

Despite higher grocery inflation, consumers continue to splurge on their favorite restaurant brands at retail, fueling a trend that has gained significant momentum in recent years. “Restaurants are looking to exploit brand loyalty that really …

Major CPG Players Fueling Alt Cream Cheese Innovation

Amidst the booming cultured dairy market, major food manufacturers are taking plant-based cream cheese to the next level.

Is Plant-Based Still a Powerhouse?

Plant-based products continue to proliferate across the industry despite significant barriers to adoption, including taste and affordability.

Divergent Consumer Groups Influence Holiday Spending

While worries over inflation and the economy take precedent for a leading percentage of consumers, a sizable number are approaching the holiday season with a desire to live sustainable lives or have rewarding experiences.

FDA Issues First Approval for Cell-Cultured Chicken

Cultivated meat producer Upside Foods received regulatory approval from the FDA, making it the first company to reach this milestone in the U.S. While not a green light for the industry at large, the decision opens the door to more approvals

Analysis: Could ‘Hybrid’ Meat be a Plant-Based Breakthrough?

As an expanding number of startups pursue the commercialization of cultivated meat, a select few are targeting the hybrid approach — blending small quantities of lab-grown cells into primarily plant-based products. While affordable, 100% cultivated …

Demand for Plant-Based Mayo Spreading

Demand for plant-based condiments is spreading in the U.S., and The Kraft Heinz Not Company is zeroing in on plant-based mayo. In late October, Kraft Heinz and NotCo unveiled their first collaborative offerings — plant-based cheese …

Whole Foods Top Trends Highlight Brands on a Mission

What are Whole Foods top trends for food in 2023? Brands with a mission ranked highly in this year’s report.

Plant-Based QSRs Boosting Consumer Trial

A growing number of plant-based burger chains are cropping up across the country as more younger consumers flock to quick service restaurants

Survey: Tracking Gen Z Food Preferences

Here are key stats on what, and where, Gen Z is eating these days, according to Piper Sandler’s Fall Taking Stock with Teens survey.

Report: Loyalty Members Defying Inflation with Higher Spending

Loyalty spending reached the highest point on record across all restaurant and convenience store concepts in 2021. This traction reflects the value of loyalty programs as a source of revenue during inflationary periods. According to …

Millennials, Gen Z Key to Plant-Based Advancement

Despite industry-wide challenges, both dairy and meat plant-based alternatives are forecast to grow through 2024, driven almost entirely by Millennials and Gen Zers. According to a recent report by The NPD Group, these plant-based consumers …

IRI: 5 Keys to Drive CPG Growth in 2023

As inflation continues, consumers are responding by shopping value channels more and buying fewer premium meals and snacks, according to IRI.

Breaking Down Plant-Based Egg Advancements

The projected size of the plant-based egg market continues to rise. Here are a few noteworthy advancements across this emerging segment.

Sugar Reduction Trend Sweetening Candy Sales

The sugar reduction trend is growing in candy and confectionary, boosted by broader product assortments and new innovations. A recent IRI report on sugar-free chocolate and candy explores this market and highlights opportunities for continued …

How Inflation’s Impacting Plant-Based Meat Sales

As a variety of factors aggravate the downward trajectory of alternative meat sales at retail, refrigerated varieties continue to fuel the category’s deceleration.

Q&A: Top Trends at 2022 Plant-Based World Expo

Culinary creativity was booming at the Plant-Based World Expo on September 8 in New York City. In this Q&A, Ben Davis, VP of Content at Plant Based World unpacks expo trends and key developments across the plant-based industry.

CEO: Consumers Adopting ‘Drastic’ Lifestyle Changes, ‘Inflation Diet’

With August food prices increasing 11.4% year-over-year, Americans are experiencing a fundamental shift in their everyday patterns, with some even adopting an “inflation diet.” A recent survey by consumer research platform Attest took a closer …

Report: Trends to Watch Include DTC Plant-Based Brands

The $7.44 trillion U.S food industry is investing in ecommerce, robotics, and technology like never before. Here are three noteworthy trends for food producers and grocery retailers to prioritize in the year ahead.

Poll Notes Top Concerns Regarding Plant-Based Foods

In a recent LinkedIn option poll, The Food Institute asked members to indicate their biggest current concerns regarding the plant-based category.

Consumer Spending Favors In-Person Experiences

While shoppers are still spending in today’s high-inflation environment, they are prioritizing where to invest their dollars, according to a Gravy Analytics trends report from the second quarter of 2022. Dining Preferences Shift Many consumers …

IRI: Creating Revenue Opportunities Amid Inflation

With the U.S. inflation rate at an elevated 8.7% for July 2022, consumers, manufacturers and retailers alike must remain agile to adapt to ongoing economic pressures. “The past few years of COVID-19 have brought enormous …

Mycelium Deepening Roots in Plant-Based Space

While mushrooms remain all the rage as a whole food ingredient, their physical characteristics are less than ideal for replicating whole cuts of meat. Enter mycelium – the root system from which mushrooms grow.

Robotic Pizza Deal Boosts Speedy Eats’ Automated Drive-Thru Concept

A new food technology partnership is bringing 24/7 made-to-order pizza to automated drive-thru restaurant units around the country.

Emerging Plant-Based Proteins to Watch

As more consumers pursue dietary patterns that improve personal and planetary health, some plant-based food producers are experimenting with a broader variety of protein sources.

IRI: Consumers Keeping Drinking Occasions Closer to Home

Consumers are looking to create entertaining experiences at home, and retailers should emphasize premium alcohol products as a result, IRI says.

IRI: Sustainability Emerging as Key Snacking Trend

As snacking trends around the world evolve, sustainability is emerging as a key theme across several markets, according to IRI.