The alcohol alternatives category is growing – so who are the consumers driving the revolution? If brands want to succeed in the marketplace, they need to understand the complex variety of reasons consumers turn to the category.
While economic and healthcare concerns remain a top priority for American consumers, they are increasingly citing access to healthy and nutritious food among their concerns, according to a recent Danone North America study.
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, more US consumers are questioning the effectiveness of carbon off-set programs, Richard Cope, senior trends consultant at Mintel Consulting, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Within plant-based milks, almond may dominate sales and oat may be the fastest growing sub-segment, but an increasing variety of nut-, seed-, legume- and grain-based options are coming to market – simultaneously fragmenting and growing the overall segment.
AI technologies can help reduce food waste and increase efficiencies while improving the overall digital customer experience, Alex Weinstein, chief digital officer for Hungryroot, shared in a fireside chat with FoodNavigator-USA at the Digital Food and...
After overcoming a period of declining sales and discontinuation from retailers like Walmart and Walgreens, The Vita Coco co-founder and executive chairman Mike Kirban discussed the company’s operational strategy including brand exposure, reaching consumers...
Sustainability and future-proofing the food system
Alternative proteins hold significant potential to help combat climate change by offering a more environmentally sustainable alternative to animal agriculture – a benefit that could help them unlock much-needed funding and strategic support to refine...
Better-for-you beverage brand Swoon is kicking off summer with two new flavors of its zero-sugar beverage - a Barbie Pink Lemonade and Lemon Iced Tea & Raspberry Iced Tea - as the demand for zero sugar products increases, brand co-founder Cristina...
When it comes getting products on shelves, entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds often face unique challenges that major retailers like Target are addressing with their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and incubator programs, Toyin Kolawole,...
The application-based program will deliver two FarmboxRx packages for six months containing a variety of fresh produce and essential pantry items for 200 households. In addition, households will receive information to help them prepare nutritious meals,...
Agriculture cooperative Blue Diamond Growers is partnering with AI-based bioactive company Brightseed to explore the health benefits of nonpareil California almonds, as the nut brand tries to better position itself among health-conscious consumers, looking...
Sustainability and future-proofing the food system
Improving the sustainability of the food system is no longer optional from an optics and long-term business perspective, but short-term challenges – including consumer engagement – threaten immediate and mid-range returns and margins, complicating the...
As the plant-based ice cream market expands with a range of flavors and formats, innovation in the space will need to better recreate the taste, texture, and mouthfeel of animal-based counterparts to entice consumers into the category, Christine Usmen,...
Consumers increasingly are picking up bottled water for a healthier alternative to juice and soad, which is driving sales growth in the overall market despite concerns about the environmental impact of plastic and bottling resources.
Natural cereal brand Three Wishes is tapping into a tried-and-true nostalgic flavor for its latest limited-time-offering with s'mores, as the brand looks to capitalize on the demand for better-for-you and allergen-conscious food products, brand CEO...
As shoppers seek more bang for their buck, research carried out by Fonterra’s health and wellbeing B2B brand Nutiani highlights the role of science-backed functional ingredients as a means to add value to nutrition products.
Food ingredient company Kerry is expanding its range of sugar reduction solutions to help CPG brands meet increasing consumer demand for low- and no-sugar foods and beverages, Ian McGarvey, SVP of technology and innovation for taste at Kerry, told FoodNavigator-USA....
Moroccan food and beverage brand Mina is gearing up to expand in the US and around the globe with a new production facility and plans to enter the snack category with an on-the-go olive snack, brand founder Fouad Kallamni told FoodNavigator-USA.
The ‘sober curious’ lifestyle is inching into the mainstream as, according to new Mintel research, nearly four in 10 US consumers closely (22%) or occasionally (16%) follow a sober curious lifestyle.
Sustainability and future-proofing the food system
With between a quarter and a third of human caused greenhouse gas emissions linked to food production and climate change intensifying to a point that its impacting how, where and when key crops are grown, improving sustainability in the food system is...
Urban farming startup Atarraya is launching an e-commerce website to provide locally sourced, sustainable shrimp to consumers from its facility in Indianapolis while also looking for partners to accomplish its goal of operating 400 Shrimpboxes in the...
Consumers interested in health and wellness continue to shop more often for groceries and spend more on food and beverage than all shoppers despite economic headwinds, but the bulk of their investment currently is in the center of the store – not the...
The Pasta Noodle Company is shaking up the ready-to-eat (RTE) space with a trio of options inspired by classic Italian dishes, created with natural ingredients and ready to eat within two minutes, company founder Paolo Internicola told FoodNavigator-USA....
Consumers are turning away from fresh as their stress levels rise – preferring the convenience and mood management claims offered more prominently in the center of the store, suggests data from consumer research firm Circana, previously known as IRI....
Rising food prices are exacting a higher toll on grocery shoppers than a year ago, with many offsetting increases by choosing less expensive items even if they are less healthy and do not meet their ideal social sustainability values, new research from...
Shoppers looking for convenient and budget-friendly proteins are turning to canned seafood as perceptions about it change and younger consumers learn how to use it, Sara Kelly, brand marketing manager for Season Brand, told FoodNavigator-USA.
Non-alcoholic spirit brand Ritual Zero Proof is tapping into the demand for more artisanal and craft mocktails with the release of its aperitif, as the overall market sees new growth from health-conscious and younger consumers, brand CEO and founder Marcus...
Despite a slight dip in plant-based dairy sales in the last three quarters – mostly due to higher prices – “there is a lot of sustained appetite for plant-based dairy, and we’re very optimistic for future growth opportunities in this category,” Bethany...
Better-for-you energy drink brand Celsius leverages its PepsiCo partnership to reach $1bn in sales while exploring how to bring consumers into the category with unique flavors, CEO John Fieldly shared during the Goldman Sachs Global Staples Forum this...
Whether it’s that early morning pick-me-up or pre-workout boost, consumers increasingly turn to the energy drink category for its functional benefits, which is expanding the market and creating opportunities for brands to innovate around sports performance,...
Plant-based, woman-owned company Shroomeatsoffers nutritious, minimally processed foods with its portfolio of shelf-stable shitake mushroom-based patties, meatballs, and crumbles, co-founder and CEO Dissaya Theerakaosal told FoodNavigator-USA.
Plant-based CPG company Daiya Foods seeks to satisfy consumer demand for savory flavor while providing an allergen-free option with a pair of new pizza options, the brand’s CMO Melanie Domer told FoodNaviagtor-USA.
Plant-based food brand Franklin Farms enters the seafood category with its latest tuna product, as it looks to innovate around ready-to-eat offerings and unique proteins, Shelley Cheng, VP of marketing and product development for the brand’s parent company...
Cult Foods, an investor of cellular agriculture technology and products, and Peqish Food Co., a ready-to-eat culinary medicine food brand, are joining forces to develop and commercialize cellular agriculture food products within the medical foods framework.
Mushroom-based protein startup Prime Roots is expanding distribution of its alt-based meats to deli counters and restaurants across the US with the help of $30m in Series B funding, brand CEO and co-founder Kimberlie Le told FoodNavigator-USA.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new guideline on non-sugar sweeteners (NSS), which recommends against the use of NSS to control body weight or reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
Animal-free protein startup The EVERY Company is partnering with Alpha Foods to bring its expertise in flavor and texture to the plant-based brand, as it anticipates future growth from the category, company CEO Arturo Elizondo told FoodNavigator-USA....
During the American Frozen Food Institute’s (AFFI) Government Action Summit on May 9-10, leaders and executives in the frozen food industry met with Congressional representatives and staff to discuss the potential reorganization of the FDA’s food division...
As plant-based cheese brand Misha's is preparing to expand into Walmart this month and Ralphs later in the year it is embracing a lean operating model to improve profitability and tackle obstacles facing the non-dairy segment, brand CEO Aaron Bullock...
California-based meat snack brand Cattaneo Bros. is looking to expand its physical and digital footprint by meeting rising consumer demand for better-for-you snacks and animal welfare, brand CEO Katelyn Kaney told FoodNavigator-USA.
Following a successful seed round last year, foodtech startup Lypid is ready to take its plant-based fat technology to a larger audience with the release of a whole-cut, plant-based pork belly, designed to meet the demand for healthier meats, brand founders...
As alt-protein companies respond to changing industry dynamics, many brands are examining how best market products and respond to consumers needs, a panel of experts shared at the Bridge2Food Summit Americas.
Sprouts Farmers Market’s decision to pull back on promotions and cater instead to less price-sensitive shoppers who follow specialty diets and are more health-oriented once was considered risky but now is paying off.
A “massive” repeat purchase rate of 74% direct-to-consumer and 54% at retail combined with healthy margins and strong “no f***ing way” factor helped food-tech startup Hero Bread secure $15m in series B funding despite the challenging economic environment.
As the agriculture industry continues its mission of feeding the world's growing population amid climate change, the entire supply chain is coming together to boost regenerative farming practices, creating an opportunity for the plant-based foods...
Despite several headwinds facing the category, the overall plant-based market is still expanding, though challenges persist in the form of retail and formulation challenges, a panel of industry experts shared during a session titled “The Elephant in the...
Plant-based milks and creamers are growing strong as they become a staple to many consumers, providing an example of what's needed to grow other alternative segments, according to experts gathered at Bridge2Food’s Summit Americas last week.
As a new anti-ESG era emerges, food and beverage businesses that set ambitious goals to reduce their environmental footprint, improve worker livelihoods, diversify leadership or enhance accountability could find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard...
Day one of the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Sugar Reduction Summit centered around the organization’s sugar reduction initiatives for all food and beverage categories, aligning with USDA and the New York Department of Hygiene and Mental...
A new partnership between the US Department of Veteran Affairs and the Rockefeller Foundation will test the impact of fresh fruits and vegetables on veterans’ health, and could help build the business case for more health care systems and insurers nationwide...
