Translating Trends to Tastes
US Foods addresses plant-based, gluten-free and clean label trends with 2024 “Spring Scoop” new products launch
Leading food distributor US Foods Inc., Rosemont, Ill., launches more than 50 new items every year, particularly in the spring and fall. Here, Prepared Foods gets the inside scoop on new product development from Stacey Kinkaid, US Foods vice president of product development & innovation.
Prepared Foods: Let’s dive a little deeper into new product development and your three bigger themes. First, can you talk about your approach to plant-based offerings.
Stacey Kinkaid: We want to provide plant-forward options that appeal to all the various reasons why diners are eating more plants. This includes plant-based alternatives such as Molly’s Kitchen Plant-Based Smashed Patty. This also includes chef-inspired, vegan options such as our Chef’s Line Tempura Brussels Sprouts and vegetarian options such as Molly’s Kitchen Mexican-Style Cheese Stuffed Cigars.
These items appeal to those looking to reduce their meat intake but without compromising on flavor, so much so that they appeal to all diners regardless of their dietary preferences. These items may be prepared similarly to their animal protein-derived counterparts, which make them a fresh, on-trend option for diners.
Cadence Revolutionizes Performance and Hydration Through the Power of Salt
Founders Ross MacKay and George Heaton team up to build a functional beverage and nutrition brand
Ross MacKay (founder of plant-based food startup, Daring) and George Heaton (creative director and co-founder of luxury brand, Represent) introduced Cadence, a CPG brand harnessing the power of salt for performance and hydration. The US launch follows the brand’s recent soft launch in Europe, which resulted in an influx of domestic inquiries and a waitlist of more than 10,000 US consumers.
Cadence was conceived from its founders' shared pursuit of peak performance. MacKay and Heaton, both multifaceted entrepreneurs and avid fitness enthusiasts, have a track record of creating disruptive brands that blend lifestyle with a distinctive market presence. Identifying a significant gap in the $34B sports drinks market, they noted the excessive use of sugar and deficiency in essential salts, failing to meet the needs of modern athletes and active consumers. Recognizing the critical role of salt in maintaining optimal physical performance, they envisioned Cadence as the solution, introducing the first ready-to-drink mineral salt beverage, specifically designed for effective hydration, peak performance and maximized recovery.
“I built a business based on a mission to disrupt the global food system and, now I am reframing the narrative around salt. Salt is a vital mineral that every human being needs to function and those who exercise regularly need a suitable amount of salt in their system to recover and stay healthy. We’re thrilled to bring a first of its kind hydration product to the market that is 100% clean.” -- Ross MacKay, co-founder, Cadence.
For years, there have been several misconceptions surrounding salt, with most dietary advice focusing on reducing intake. However, recent research, including a study published in The Lancet, highlights the importance of salt for physical performance, particularly for those engaging in intense exercise. Salt helps maintain essential electrolyte concentrations, reduces physical fatigue, and boosts energy. Additionally, the general consumer knowledge around salt is on the rise, with "salt hydration" Google searches up +85% year on year in the US, whilst queries such as ‘is salt good for hydration’ have increased by +285%.
The zero-calorie, all-natural sodium drink launches in a refreshing citrus flavor, using premium ingredients including the REB-M Stevia plant-based sweetener. In the coming months, the brand plans to unveil additional flavors and form factors to further underscore its mission of peak performance and hydration through innovation and salt.
New Prepared Foods, Drinks Deliver Authentic Cultural Experiences
Foods that used to be interpreted for years in the US by non-natives are now being reimagined to capture regional differences
For the last several years, plant-based products have expanded across all food categories (well beyond just meat and dairy alternatives) and we have monitored what consumers might expect regarding global flavor options here as well. In fact, the expansion of plant-based options is highlighted as one of Innova’s Top 10 Trends 2024.
Variety continues to grow in plant-based options in retail settings, and more than half of all consumers globally want to see even more choice. Again, Millennials and Gen Z are driving trends, with close to three-quarters saying that they prepare plant-based versions of international dishes at least some of the time.
Nearly half of US consumers surveyed say that they most want to try plant-based versions of Mexican dishes. In contrast, plant-based Chinese cuisine is likely to capture the interest of Asian consumers looking for plant-based options while European consumers find plant-based Italian dishes to be the most appealing. Many consumers also are attracted to less-established cuisines such as Balkan and Vietnamese. With meat substitutes in the lead in plant-based, we are monitoring entries into the marketplace of ethnically inspired dishes such as Mexican “faux’jitas.”
RollinGreens Plant-Powered Meal Bowls
The bowls are certified gluten-free, soy-free, shelf-stable, certified non-GMO and certified Kosher
RollinGreens, a shelf-stable plant-based meat brand, announced the launch of Plant-Powered Meal Bowls. The new collection of four on-the-go meals deliver a powerful punch of protein in a convenient heat-and-eat package, providing an new option for healthy convenient meals.
RollinGreens Plant-Powered Meal Bowls are designed to make meals on the move easy and flavorful, all while providing a protein source. The shelf-stable bowl packages come in four flavors, and include RollinGreens M'EAT and CHIC'KEN to offer up to 23g of protein in a single serving. Just add water, and after three minutes in the microwave you have a satisfying meal anytime, anywhere.
