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Consumer Food Trends to Watch

  • 30 March 2015

Every year, we hear about consumer food trends: some last, and some disappear fast. Today’s consumers are becoming more demanding and conscious of what they’re purchasing and consuming. As the tastes of consumers are changing, so are their buying habits. At TheBakeryNetwork.com, we’ve outlined five consumer food trends that are bound to stick around.

Source and type of ingredients

Where do the ingredients in your products come from? If you’re sourcing your ingredients locally, from your local farmers market to your country, high five. Consumers want to know where their food is coming from, with a large amount focusing on their local community. Do non-GMO and organic ingredients have a place in your business?

More and more consumers are buying organic products, and are concerned about genetically modified ingredients; knowing your audience is important when sourcing ingredients. According to a study completed for American Bakers Association, by Mintel, the world’s leading market research and intelligence agency, titled Baking industry consumer trends – What’s on the horizon, 62% of consumers choose to purchase local food when they can.

Technology

With the rise of tablet and smart phone use on the rise, consumers are turning to their devices to find information on a variety of things, including food items. Food apps are also on the rise, from diet and exercise apps, to apps that let you analyze your grocery purchases, to apps that act as a friendly cooking coach in the kitchen, consumers have more information than ever at their fingertips.

Artisan Foods and Craftsmanship

Although mass production and automation can yield larger quantities, craftsmanship and artisanal products are in demand. According to the Mintel study, 40% of consumers look for premium artisan products when purchasing prepared cakes and pies. Consumers want to feel a connection – to the earth, to home, to nostalgia – if your business is producing

Show, Don’t Tell

Are you using all-natural ingredients in your products? As consumers are becoming savvier shoppers, many companies are changing their claim to being all-natural. Rather than putting the all-natural claim on your product, you might want to try changing the wording to include terms such as whole grain, no preservatives added.

Let the list of ingredients do it for you – whether you’re a small independent business or large company, listing ingredients on your products allow the consumer to see what they are eating when choosing your product.

Free From What?

With gluten free products on the rise, many consumers are eating food that is free from specific ingredients. Whether it be by choice, or by a dietary need, products free from certain ingredients (gluten, nuts, dairy, etc.) are on the rise. Allergen-free products are booming as 15 million Americans have food allergies, according to Food Allergy Research & Education.

It’s apparent that today’s consumers are taking control over their food and beverage choices – they want to know where their food comes from, support local businesses, and maintain a healthier lifestyle. This leaves companies producing and marketing products with the challenge of providing consumers with the right choices.

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