Articles by Robert Garrison

SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNER

US Foods’ Hilltop Hearth Pub Grain Hamburger Bun Addresses Operator Needs, Consumer Sustainability Interests

The new bun debuted in March 2022 and is one of the first foodservice products certified by the Upcycled Food Association

Robert Garrison

June 15, 2022

When broadline foodservice distributor US Foods Holding Corp., introduced as many as 18 “Spring Scoop” products this March, it embraced the theme, “Do More with Less” and emphasized versatile items to help operator customers manage labor shortages and other operational challenges.

Power Trends by Prepared Foods

Robert Garrison

June 6, 2022

Prepared Foods is giving readers even more food and beverage content across six key topics, which we’re calling POWER TRENDS.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY: 2022

Prepared Meal, Entrée and Pizza Producers Stay Busy to Keep Consumers Happy, Healthy with At-Home Options

Overall competition for meal solutions is increasing as the restaurant industry rebounds

Robert Garrison

March 8, 2022

Overall competition for meal solutions is increasing as the restaurant industry rebounds. Industry market and consumer insights tracker NPD Group, Chicago, says the US restaurant industry ended 2021 better than the year began. Moreover, NPD predicts industry operators could recover 98% of pre-pandemic visits by the end of 2022.

New Technologies Spur Innovation in Plant- and Cell-Based Meat, Poultry and Seafood

Plant-based meat hit $1.4 billion in 2020, with sales growing 45%, up from $962 million in 2019

Robert Garrison

February 21, 2022

Trying to capture the fast-moving plant- and cell-based meat industry is something akin to taking a picture with an old Polaroid instant film camera. It’s only a very quick, momentary snapshot in time while the subject continues to change.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives Spring Up to Satisfy Fast-Growth Market

Plant-based dairy flavor and formulation trends across multiple categories including milks, frozen desserts, cheese and cultured products

Robert Garrison

March 19, 2021

Although most of today’s new plant-based dairy alternatives are cold—displayed in the dairy case or the freezercase—they constitute one of the supermarket’s hottest and fastest growing segments. And it’s no surprise market observers are scrutinizing every element behind who’s purchasing these products—along with what’s selling, when, where and why.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Plant-Based Meats: 'From Niche to Norm'

More Consumers are Trying, Turning to Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Robert Garrison

March 18, 2021

Market research finds that opportunities about for plant-based products as they become more mainstream.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

Mainstream Meat, Poultry and Seafood Items Continue to Fuel Grocery Sales

Front and Center (Cut): Meat, poultry and seafood products fuel robust sales gains; plant-based offerings grow

Robert Garrison

March 16, 2021

It's true that plant-based meat, poultry and seafood alternatives are generating headlines (and new products) by the score. Yet it doesn't take long to see that mainstream meat, poultry and seafood items truly fuel the flame in grocery sales.

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY

More at-Home Meals Put a Spotlight on New Prepared Meals and Entrées

Time to Shine: With more consumers scrutinizing prepared foods, freezercase leaders such as Nestlé USA, Conagra Brands, and others have been active

Robert Garrison

March 15, 2021

Today's at-home meal solutions are front and center, right in the spotlight.

2021 Predictions

A New Year: Ready? Set? Grow!

Do you know where you are—as a R&D department?

Robert Garrison

December 1, 2020

Amid a growing gap in performance between those that innovate successfully and those that do not, companies wishing to get ahead and stay ahead of competitors need a robust R&D strategy.

2019-2020 SPIRIT OF INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

King & Prince Seafood Corp… Go Team!

A multi-functional team developed King & Prince Lobster Salad Sensations®—all to help its customers’ teams achieve greater success

Robert Garrison

October 22, 2020

One part of the story involves King & Prince Seafood Corp., Brunswick, Ga., and one of its most popular products, Lobster Sensations®. It’s a frozen, premixed blend of lobster and seafood for foodservice operations to easily and quick thaw, portion and serve. Yet back in 2018, King & Prince customers—including convenience stores, sandwich shops and in-store delis—said their employee teams still needed a little more help in the kitchen.

Connecting leaders through discussion and insights on thought leadership, strategy, customer trends, technology, brand building, sustainability & society.

Whether it’s in response to aging or the daily stress of life in a fast-paced, polarized world, consumers turn to supplements—and increasingly to finished foods and beverages—to address cognitive health and feelings of stress and anxiety.

Articles by Robert Garrison

US Foods’ Hilltop Hearth Pub Grain Hamburger Bun Addresses Operator Needs, Consumer Sustainability Interests

Power Trends by Prepared Foods

Prepared Meal, Entrée and Pizza Producers Stay Busy to Keep Consumers Happy, Healthy with At-Home Options

New Technologies Spur Innovation in Plant- and Cell-Based Meat, Poultry and Seafood

Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives Spring Up to Satisfy Fast-Growth Market

Plant-Based Meats: 'From Niche to Norm'

Mainstream Meat, Poultry and Seafood Items Continue to Fuel Grocery Sales

More at-Home Meals Put a Spotlight on New Prepared Meals and Entrées

A New Year: Ready? Set? Grow!

King & Prince Seafood Corp… Go Team!

Supply Side West 2024 Preview | Episode 5

Supply Side West 2024 Preview | Episode 2

Supply Side West 2024 Preview | Episode 4

Supply Side West 2024 Preview | Episode 3

Unlock the Future of Food and Beverage Innovation

Are you a leader in research & development? Stay ahead of the curve with Prepared Foods, the premier source of information and insights for today's trend leaders and taste-makers in food and beverage manufacturing.