2020 Food and Beverage Trends

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While early stage infant nutrition is firmly focused on the developmental needs of babies, it is evident that parents’ interests shift as their children grow and that adult themes become increasingly important in post-weaning categories.

Each generation dictates the characteristics that help define their particular group. In fact, one research organization has bestowed the nickname “True Gen” onto Gen Z, due to their passion for authenticity.

At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in the US, grocery shopping behavior changed seemingly overnight. The question for many retailers and manufacturers is how the current crisis will impact future shopping behavior once the country returns to a new normal.

Many of today’s busy consumers are juggling their careers, families and social lives while striving to maintain healthy lifestyles, both physically and mentally. Food and diet plays an essential role in this, with innovation increasingly looking to support consumer choices as many endeavor to balance the benefits and costs of these hectic lifestyles.

Food and beverage industry reports about consumer attitudes and purchase behavior in the face of the COVID-19 crisis are piling up by the dozens. Brand managers are currently dealing with massive swings in demand, closures, new operating procedures and other shifts in business operations. TAKE THE SURVEY!

Neuroscience teaches that our five senses take in approximately 11,000,000 bits of information every second. But our conscious mind can only process 40 bits a second. Combine that fact with another, equally startling truth: our non-conscious minds make 95% of our daily decisions.​​​​​​​

The Specialty Food Association (SFA) represents as many as 4,000 independent specialty food companies. Its two annual conventions—the Winter Fancy Food Show in January and Summer Fancy Food Show in June—prove to be key scouting opportunities for those manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators interested to preview food and beverage trends.

As coronavirus spreads nationwide, a recent survey by First Insight found that news of the virus is impacting the shopping behavior of 75% of respondents, up from 45% (a 70% increase) when comparing to a survey fielded in late February. The survey by First Insight, Inc., a leading technology company transforming how retailers make product investment and pricing decisions, also pointed to significant swings in behavior by women and Baby Boomers over the last three weeks.