Almost 25% of parents buying organic said that wanting to steer clear of genetically modified foods is now one of their top reasons for selecting organic.

Tierney’s career in the natural, organic and conventional grocery industry spans 30 years.

Prior to joining Adama in 2010, she served as SVP at the Investment Banking Group of Barclays Capital (formerly Lehman Brothers).

He previously served as senior vice president of sales and business administration.

The report is the company's first expanded effort to highlight U.S.-specific milestones and achievements tied to Nestlé's global sustainability principles and commitments.

The researchers note, "We need further studies with a greater number of cases to verify these findings and add to the research base."

Sandwiches were the most expensive category, averaging $6.74 in the Northeast in 2012, while Mexican food was the least expensive.

The consumer opinions have also impacted the beverage category; spending on out-of-home alcohol is estimated to have increased by 5.4% from 2012-13 (the strongest year-over-year growth of any other sector evaluated) to have reached an estimated $92.7 billion in 2013.

The value of the total U.S. market for flavors -- including flavor additives, flavor enhancers, sugar substitutes, and spices -- will increase from $6 billion in 2014 to $7 billion in 2019.

To figure out what dietary ingredients promote helpful bacteria, several studies have looked at the effects of individual fibers and probiotics.