West African foods from the ancient grain fonio to tigernuts and moringa; to refrigerated protein-packed snacks; chickpea butter; and more imaginative food for kids will all gain traction in 2020 according to buyers, product developers, category managers...
Childhood obesity in the US affects almost one-in-five children aged 2-19yrs. Rates vary by age, but are highest among Hispanic and African Americans, and continue to rise. So what can we do about it, and are existing strategies failing children?
If you want to find the least nutritious – and the least innovative – part of any fast casual menu, look no further than the kids menu. And if you think you’ll find anything resembling a vegetable (that isn’t a French Fry), forget it.
From protein bars for kids, to healthy finger food, nutrient-packed ice pops and a new take on Lunchables, entrants to our 2019 trailblazers challenge are creating innovative new products, brands, and routes to market for healthier options for babies...
Exclusively breastfeeding children for the first six months of their lives has long been recognized as a gold standard for improving infant health, but new research suggests it also could dramatically benefit the health of the planet as well – reinforcing...
Over two-thirds of parents (67%) worldwide said they want to improve their child’s eating habits, according to Euromonitor International's 2019 Health and Nutrition Survey.
Low FODMAP, a diet low in carbohydrates that trigger digestive discomfort and stomach pain, could be a useful treatment for children and adolescents with gastrointestinal issues, say researchers from the University of Otago in Australia.
Organic baby and toddler food and tummy friendly brand NurtureMe says it has significant untapped potential in the online retail channel where it can reach even more health-conscious parents, domestically and globally.
Boston-based Little Pickins is targeting an under-developed space in the baby food market with its frozen ready-made and veggie-packed finger foods for toddlers ages 10 months and up.
While many parents eat meat, poultry and fish, the idea of feeding these foods to babies might sound strange to them based on the majority of baby foods currently marketed, but startup Serenity Kids is turning this preconception on its head with its line...
While most responsible baby food brands work with pediatric dietitians to ensure their products meet babies’ nutritional needs, Cerebelly – the brainchild of Canadian neurosurgeon Teresa Purzner, MD, PhD - takes this to the next level with a granular...
How can you encourage kids to eat more vegetables? A recent study conducted in Australia found that offering a variety of vegetables rather than just one option resulted in increased vegetable intake among kids.
Brainiac Kids – a new brand focused on delivering 'brainfood' for children – has secured nationwide distribution for its whole milk yogurts and yogurt drinks, picking up business with a flurry of leading retailers including Whole Foods, Hy-Vee,...
The a2 Milk Company's performance in the US, while still in its early stages, resembles what the company has experienced in Australia where a2 Milk is the No. 1 premium milk brand holding an 11.2% share of the total packaged milk market, says CEO...
A three-year grant program called Get Schools Cooking (GSC) will help school lunch programs eliminate highly-processed foods and introduce more meals using whole fruits, vegetables, and grains.
In pursuit of a healthy, balanced diet for themselves and their children, many parents reported being overwhelmed by the number of "healthy" choices at the grocery store, a focus group of Chicago parents revealed.
What motivates Moms as they shop for food for their kids? What are they looking for on labels? Are they looking for foods containing certain key nutrients?
How consumers buy and experience food is changing with the emergence of online shopping and a busy on-the-go culture, so it only makes sense that how companies test potential new products also evolves to better align with modern usage and values, according...
Farmwise – the Boston-based firm best-known for adding stealthy servings of beans and veggies to frozen family staples (fries, tots, nuggets) – has moved into the appetizers category with mozzarella and broccoli bites and microwaveable potato skins.
The inspiration for Zeek – a line of protein bars for children - was less of a Eureka moment than a dawning realization that for sporty kids, pre-game options were basically granola bars “that were not much better than candy,” or adult-oriented nutrition...
How can you get kids to eat their veggies and whole grains without a battle? According to researchers, clearly communicating a food's nutrition benefits to children through affirming statements will help kids make healthy food decisions on their...
The variety of snacks presented to kids leads to increased food consumption, more so than container or package size, a study out of the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute suggests.
Want to get feedback on your new child-focused food or beverage launch, brand, or business, from our expert panel in front of a live audience in Chicago on the opening night of our FOOD FOR KIDS summit in Chicago on November 18-20?
Sales of new keto-friendly cereal Magic Spoon have exceeded expectations, say founders Gabi Lewis and Greg Sewitz, who claim to have sold “far more than we projected even in our most aggressive projections,” in the first three months.
How is the plant-based trend impacting the kids’ food market? When and how are children’s flavor preferences developed (and can we really train kids to love broccoli)? And what’s the sweet spot for sugar levels in beverages that kids enjoy and parents...
The attention parents are giving to their child's nutrition and diet is becoming more nuanced, targeting specific areas such as eye health and supporting healthy brain development, according to global health and nutrition solutions company DSM.
The key to supplementing a young child's diet with the necessary nutrients to foster brain and behavioral development could lie in the MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), found naturally in every drop of breast milk, according to Dr Christina J Valentine,...
Lauren Jauregui, who started touring as a teenager with girl group Fifth Harmony, will headline the candy maker’s first-ever Makers of Good Teen Summit in New York City on June 20.
Miami-based startup Peekaboo is developing a range of vegan ice-cream variants to join its line of organic-certified, hidden veggie products targeting kids and adults looking for guilt-free indulgence.
Do picky eating habits when children are toddlers follow them into their teenage years? And should parents be concerned that their picky eaters aren't getting as many nutrients as their non-picky eater peers?
Kids and teens who consumed low- and zero-calorie beverages ended up consuming an additional 200 calories per day compared with those who drank water, according to a new study from researchers at George Washington University.
Direct-to-consumer baby and toddler food brand Raised Real has delivered more than half a million meals since launching in January 2018, and added Twilight actress Nikki Reed onto its advisory board as it expands its product range and explores new ways...
A lot of attention and research has been poured into the infant (0-24 months) gut health space, including the impact prebiotics have on the microbiome. However, less is known about the effect prebiotics have on children entering their preschool years,...
Do kids always prefer sweeter products than adults? And are children’s palates really more conservative, or have we ‘trained’ them to like a limited set of flavors (banana, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry) by playing it safe with new launches? And how...
Kids’ products can often be divided into two groups, claims Chobani chief marketing and commercial officer Peter McGuinness: fun products that parents don’t feel great about buying, and ‘worthy’ products designed to appeal to parents but which lack appeal...
New parents are busy, demanding, and sleep-deprived (cranky). But if you make products that solve problems for them, they’re also far more likely than most consumers to tell other people about your brand, which is the kind of free marketing most start-ups...
Improved nutritional standards of The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) have been effective in reducing obesity risk in four-year-olds, according to a new study.
Young kids (aged 3 to 5) were found to be highly susceptible to overeating when given larger portion sizes, challenging the "self-regulation" theory, in which children are claimed to have a natural ability to respond to internal cues of hunger...
Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA) is leveraging the impact convenience stores can have on changing Americans' eating habits for the better through its partnerships with c-store chains and distributors.
Kids' meals at fast food chains are typically limited to chicken nuggets, pizza, or grilled cheese. In 2016, Panera Bread challenged the industry standard by introducing a revamped version of its kids' menu with more healthy soups and salads,...
Food and beverage brands targeting kids often promote their low sugar content, or highlight calcium for bones and protein for growing bodies. But what about the nutrients kids need to support the development of arguably their most important asset: the...
'People want to reflect their values in everything they do'
While the ‘buy one give one’ business model underpinning This Saves Lives presents obvious (margin-crushing) challenges for start-ups, its ‘go big or go home’ approach to conscious consumerism has been instrumental to its success, says co-founder Ryan...
A Bay area-based start-up founded by two food industry veterans is injecting functionality as well as fun into the kids’ yogurt segment - one of the few bright spots in an otherwise sluggish category – with the launch of Brainiac Kids: whole milk yogurts,...
Kashi has expanded its 'Kashi by Kids' line -- which launched with three kids' cereals last summer -- with soft baked snack bites made with a base combination of coconut flour, chickpeas, acai, and sweet potato.
Frozen kids meal brand Kidfresh is expanding into the breakfast category with a line of products rolling out in early April to address what CEO Matt Cohen calls 'the most intense time of the day' for parents.
The future of baby food – according to some brands at least – is fresh. But which business models make the most sense for new players in this small, but rapidly growing, chilled segment of the market?
Fresh Bellies entered the competitive HPP baby food market in 2015 with its line of savory refrigerated vegetable purees and has expanded its line to crunchy toddler snacks in order to 'age with' its consumer.
New York-based direct to consumer organic babyfood brand Little Spoon has raised $7m in a funding round backed by venture funds Vaultier7 and Kairos, Chobani founding member Kyle O'Brien, Tinder founders Sean Rad and Justin Mateen, Interplay Ventures,...
