2018 Food and Beverage Trends

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Results show industry leaders in each segment share three common traits: they differentiate offerings, target consumers with greater precision and complement organic growth with inorganic growth.

Consumers now have access to almost anything through grocery delivery, meal prep kits, grocerants (supermarkets that offer restaurant quality foods), online ordering, and mobile apps.

The need for nutritious snacks is also growing—51% of consumers say healthfulness is an important factor in their snack choices2—and operators can give guests the solutions they’re seeking with V8® beverages from Campbell’s Foodservice.

Artisan products have a new position in the US market as more consumers express interest about what's in their foods and drinks—as well as where and how those items are produced.

Everything starts at the ground level. Initial distribution of ingredients was based on regional availability and classic preservation techniques. A return to roots is happening. When the farm-to-table trend hit restaurants, it was a game-changer. The landscape shifted, and specific farms were highlighted on menus. Farmers, in turn, gained name recognition for humanely raised poultry and meats, unique herbs, and heirloom varietals of corn, tomatoes, plums, and other produce.

Prepared Foods reaches and serves all those food and beverage manufacturing professionals involved in the new product development cycle. These functional leaders are those in marketing, sales and consumer insights, R&D, innovation, culinary, purchasing and packaging.

Each day brings more new foods and drinks exclusively developed for online sales—ranging from Amazon’s Wickedly Prime teas, snacks, soups and spreads; to PepsiCo’s “Drinkfinity” flavor pods.

In 2014, Betsy founded McGinn eComm to provide expertise in eCommerce strategy to consumer products companies, ranging from launch stage to multi-billion dollar brands.