Just in time for Thanksgiving and the holidays—came news for which food and beverage processors could be thankful. Circana (formerly IRI) and The NPD Group released a 2024 food and beverage outlook with a projection of modest volume growth this year after three consecutive years of volume declines.

Consumers looking for meal solutions—for any breakfast, lunch or dinner—need look no farther than the grocery meat case. There are prepared offerings to deliver meals or sides in just minutes. Moreover, the industry’s latest new products address consumer interests for global taste adventure, premium flavor, health and quick convenience.

Prepared Foods talks clean label snack trends and technology with Simon Sacal, CEO of Solely Inc. Since 2018-2019, this La Jolla, Calif., company has converted upcycled fruits and vegetables into a growing line of snacks (bars, jerky, dried fruit), confections (gummies) and even meal/side dish offerings (pastas).

In this exclusive podcast, Editor Bob Garrison talks with Stephanie Lind, founder and chief strategy officer at Elohi Strategic Advisors (ESA), about the protein ingredients that grew most in 2023—as well as what’s next in 2024.

Prepared Foods talks snack tastes and trends with Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice president & practice leader for client insights at Circana. Wyatt delivered a “State of Snacking” address at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo and PF Editor Bob Garrison checks in to learn more.

It’s one thing to talk about sustainability’s appeal to consumers. Yet how are consumers thinking and behaving when it comes to on-shelf food and beverage decisions?

This May, the National Restaurant Association recognized VMG’s frittata line as a FABI award winner. This July, Prepared Foods’ Spirit of Innovation Award judges also named VMG’s Spinach Egg White Frittata as best new entry in the alternative channel.

A successful product formula needs just the right ingredients in the right proportions. The same axiom applies to a great company and/or a disruptive innovation. It requires just the right combination of people, process, product and consumer appeal—which in this case, involves protein, an essential dietary macronutrient.

Don’t look now but plant-based eggs are changing the landscape. In fact, a plant-based sunnyside up egg from Los Angeles’ Yo Foods Inc. (dba Yo Egg) earned recognition as “Judges’ Selection / Most Innovative Product” in Prepared Foods’ 2022-2023 Spirit of Innovation Awards.

Although it didn’t take long to add up those insights, General Mills admits it took a while to formulate, test, and ultimately develop new Pillsbury Freezer-to-Oven Chocolate Swirled Croissants from General Mills Foodservice. Equally suited to both commercial and non-commercial operations, the croissants debuted this January 2023 after two years in development.