5 Supply Chain Concerns to Watch in Late 2024

There are several global supply chain concerns for the second half of 2024. F&B executives are particularly concerned about geopolitical tensions and severe weather.

Grass-Fed Beef Challenging Meat Alternatives

Growing support for products like grass-fed beef is creating new challenges for the meat alternative market, which continues to struggle with adoption and repeat purchases among its primary consumer base – flexitarians.

Mycelium-based Meat Intriguing Investors and Consumers

Alt-meat funding has all but dried up, but mycelium-based meats are still intriguing investors and consumers. From chicken and steak to deli meats, here’s what’s cooking in the world of mushroom roots.

Dr. Praeger’s Targeting ‘Nutrition-Curious’ Consumers

Dr. Praeger’s is enjoying double-digit growth across several product categories, including veggie-forward burgers and those that mimic traditional meat. What’s the secret behind their success?

Innovation and Inflation: Dual Forces Shaping the Plant-Based Milk Market

Milk alternatives continue to hold the largest share of the plant-based category as innovations intrigue a broader group of consumers. But inflation remains a challenge and some varieties are facing more scrutiny from consumers.

Plant-based Consumers’ Favorite QSRs

U.S. consumers love fast food and those who follow a plant-forward diet are no exception. Which quick service restaurants (QSRs) are plant-based consumers seeking out this year?

Ask an Athlete: Building Strength with Plant-Based Protein

Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch wants to set the record straight: Building strength with plant-based protein is a very accessible goal. Consuming plenty of vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and grains is sufficient — the key is eating enough to fuel the body.

States Are Banning Cultivated Meat; Do Consumers Want Novel Proteins?

Novel proteins including cultivated meat, mycelium, and dairy bioidenticals are advancing further into the market, and some state governments are pushing back. A new survey by McKinsey & Company explores how consumers perceive these ingredients—and their willingness to trial them.

Frozen Plant-Based Meals Gaining Loyalty

Shoppers seeking convenience are in the market for readymade plant-based meals — and the frozen food aisle is a prime target for innovation.

A New AI Era for Foodservice Distributors

As more distributors move to online ordering, organizing data is essential to providing operators with info like analytics. AI can help.

In-Store Shopper Traffic Visibility Fuels New Growth Opportunities at Retail

SIRL’s mission is to build the most scalable, robust, accurate, and feature-rich Real-Time Location System (RTLS), and to broadly take this technology to a multitude of markets.​

Consumer Pulse: Who’s Drinking Alternative Milk — and Why?

Milk alternatives are a key growth driver for the plant-based industry. What keeps shoppers coming back for more?

Can In-Store Marketing Boost Plant-Based Sales?

As the plant-based industry grapples with plateauing sales at retail, company leaders from alt-meat to tofu are turning a critical eye toward in-store marketing to boost household penetration.

Three Consumer Mindsets Driving Fresh Grocery Sales

Despite easing inflation concerns, consumers are still preparing 85% of meals at home, which presents significant sales opportunities. In a recent webinar, Circana and FMI unpacked the three major mindsets driving today’s fresh grocery shoppers.

Report: Plant-Based Stuck in Neutral While Bowls are Accelerating

A new report by Brandwatch shows the plant-based category is largely idling while QSRs serving bowls are gaining traction.

Hot Dogs, Happiness, and the Health-Conscious Consumer

In the age of the health-conscious consumer, devotion to the traditional hot dog reflects a growing movement towards “all things in moderation.” What does this mean for plant-based varieties?

FI Newscast (March 10, 2023) – Featuring Ben Page, Ipsos

Welcome to the FI Newscast! Each week, we note the latest industry trends and consumer insights, with guest appearances by the foremost industry experts. This week’s guest was Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos – a …

FI Newscast (March 3, 2023) – Featuring Hunter Thurman, Alpha-Diver

Welcome to the FI Newscast! Each week, we note the latest industry trends and consumer insights, with guest appearances by the foremost industry experts. This week’s guest was Hunter Thurman, President of Alpha-Diver – one …

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?

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?

CEO Sees Extensive ‘Runway’ for Healthier Plant-Based Snacks

The founder of That’s it, a functional snack brand, feels that there’s a significant runway within the plant-based category, especially for healthier-for-you snacks.

Experts: ‘Veganuary’ Offers Big Opportunity for Food Businesses

Experts say restaurants and food manufacturers can capitalize on the “Veganuary” movement even without making significant investments.

Holiday Spending Rises as Consumers Show Appetite for Experiences

This holiday retail season looked different than years past, industry experts noted. Retailers discounted heavily but consumers diversified their holiday spending to accommodate rising prices.

Analysis: Consumer Spending Slowing, Even for the Wealthy

Due to the current inflationary environment, and with fears of a looming recession, analysis shows consumers are trading down in their spending, looking at less expensive brands and going for deals.

Consumers Break Black Friday, Cyber Monday Records

Despite recession fears, consumers were in a spending mood to kick off the holiday season, breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales records.

‘Contextual Commerce’ Reimagines Need-based Shopping

Grocers seeking the full potential of their digital platforms may want to investigate contextual commerce, wherein they present products to customers based on their wants and needs rather than the contents of traditional store aisles.

Survey: Despite Inflation, Americans Embracing Food Delivery

According to a new survey, on average, consumers spend $13 per order on so-called “hidden” delivery fees. Despite such fees, young adults seem willing to pay.

Sustainable Packaging Goals Must Be Aspirational and Achievable

As consumers are starting to demand more sustainable packaging solutions for foodservice products, operators, suppliers, and distributors must make sound business choices in their sustainability journeys.

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.

Halloween 2022 Preview: Less Candy, Cheaper Food Purchases

By the sounds of things, Halloween 2022 could be rather subdued. October 31 could have a different look and feel this Fall because many consumers are cutting back on spending. Retail data company 84.51° recently …

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.

WATCH: Extreme Weather Continues to Threaten Supplies

Extreme weather events are making their impact felt across the globe, and that’s putting a strain on global food production and distribution.

How to Address Shoppers’ Health and Wellness Demands

Many shoppers remain health-conscious these days, despite rising food prices – 29% of consumers will pay a premium for products with health and wellness attributes.

Expert: Shoppers Looking Across Variety of Retailers for Best Deal

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

Trends Impacting the Dairy Industry

Jennifer Pricco Braasch is a managing director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. Based in Milwaukee, she supports industry executives with creative financing solutions and industry intelligence. The Food Institute recently asked her …

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.