Mid 2016 Food Industry Trend Report

Posted by Karen Erdelac on Aug 16, 2016

Mid 2016 Food Industry Trend ReportNow that we’ve moved past the half way point of 2016, it’s time to take a look at this year’s food industry trends.  Whether you’re in the restaurant, whole foods, green market, catering, bakery or produce stand industry, keeping up with food trends will help your business to thrive.  Being the first in your area to capitalize on these trends can provide you with loyal customers for years to come.  Today we take a look at 2016's biggest trends thus far.  Many of these may seem obvious, but you might be surprised about a new trend that could help to grow your business.

Organic Foods

The organic market has been growing rapidly for the last 5 years.  With consumers becoming more aware of the potential adverse effects that pesticides and hormones can have, many have chosen to go strictly organic.  There are successful businesses that operate on a purely organic model.  While this may not be possible for every industry, it’s important that you incorporate a decent selection of organic food items.

Gluten Free Etc.

Not only do these foods allow those with allergies to enjoy some of their favorite selections, there is also a perception that gluten free foods are healthier and can be more easily digested and metabolized.  While this has not been proven, the perception has caused a spike in gluten free sales.  There is also a movement towards dairy free items as well, due to many American’s having a lactose intolerance.  Some companies are capitalizing on creative foods that are made without any type of nuts due to the number of those with peanut allergies.

All Natural

All natural ingredients have increased their popularity and presence in today’s food market.  They can come at a lower cost than organic ingredients due to some flexibility on how they are grown and produced.  The “all natural” label has proven to be a big draw for today’s health conscious consumers.

Drinks

Mid 2016 Food Industry Trend ReportWith soda and other sugary drinks being identified as a major cause of obesity, healthy drinks are gaining in popularity.  One major change being made by many large beverage distributors is the use of cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Consumers are moving towards beverages that provide healthy benefits and and including ingredients that can be used as nutritional supplements in smoothies and shakes.

Snacks

With numbers showing that over 94% of American’s snack on a daily basis, the need for healthier, lower calorie snack food has increased dramatically.  This is a spot where bakeries and green markets need to capitalize on.  If these industries are able to produce and carry snacks that are healthier and still provide an abundance of flavor, the healthy snack market is sure to take off.

Alternative Protein Sources

There is another movement that plays along with the organic and vegetarian shift.  Many consumers are moving away from traditional meat based protein sources and seeking out more vegetable based options.  With a large portion of the population considering or implementing vegan and vegetarian diets, producing foods that contain plant based proteins has become a necessity for food-centric businesses.

Ethnic

Ethnic foods and spices have become more popular than ever.  Living in a country with a large immigrant population, sales of these items have been steady and strong.  Along with consumers seeking out their native foods, many others have adapted to a more exotic spice pallet.  The demand for new flavors is driving the ethnic food market into prosperity.

Artisanal

Artisanal foods are widely defined as foods that take more time and care to produce.  Consumers are moving away from generic tastes and seeking out more developed flavors.  The quality of these items is generally far above their mass produced competitors and consumers are becoming more willing to pay up for them.

Updating Your Offerings

It’s important to remain fluid and flexible in any food based industry.  Updating your menu with new offerings that target the different niche markets available can differentiate your business from the competition.  If you’re thinking of making major changes, consider a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions to get started.Apply Now

Topics: Bakery, Restaurant, Catering