Food and Beverage Top Stories

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Consumers tell us that they care a lot about the health of the planet and say that it’s today’s most important global issue. They also describe themselves as being at least moderately engaged in various environmental actions.

Prepared Foods explores sustainability and ingredient “upcycling” with Amanda Oenbring, new CEO of the Upcycled Food Association.

Prepared Foods gets the inside scoop on new product development from Stacey Kinkaid, US Foods vice president of product development & innovation.

“Texture and color influence the perception of sweetness. So, it is not just about the texture and physical attributes of the sugars but also of preparing the base ingredients in ways that can enhance the sensory experience of the food product," said Kantha Shelke, PhD, CFS principal of Corvus Blue, LLC. “Processing techniques, such as caramelization, roasting, drying/dehydrating, and fermentation can help enhance sweetness without the need for sugar, too."

Listen in as Prepared Foods talks Asian food trends and tastes with DDC Founder & CEO Norma Chu.

The trend toward global culinary exploration is driven by younger generations. Among those participating in our annual surveys, Millennials and Generation Z globally are somewhat more likely to express interest in more unusual, adventurous and exotic flavors.

“The prices for all ingredients can be very high,” affirms Andrea Bayne, owner and head baker of BoriMami Bakery in Melbourne, Florida. “Demand for organic products exceeds supply, which can cause price increases and make consistent sourcing an issue.”

Prepared Foods has selected six new food and beverage products introduced in May 2024. Vote to let us know which new product is your favorite!

A Prepared Foods infographic highlighting 2024 trends in Natural & Organic seen at Natural Products Expo West.

“Truffle is a beloved flavor that provides decadent luxury; combining with our rich and bold White Cheddar delivers the best of both worlds,” said Amanda Vaal, brand director at Cracker Barrel Cheese. “Dill also continues to be high in demand, delivering a sharp and savory twist to a snacking classic.”