Articles by Robert Garrison

Although it didn’t take long to add up those insights, General Mills admits it took a while to formulate, test, and ultimately develop new Pillsbury Freezer-to-Oven Chocolate Swirled Croissants from General Mills Foodservice. Equally suited to both commercial and non-commercial operations, the croissants debuted this January 2023 after two years in development.

Consumers simply snip a pouch, pour the contents into a cup and microwave it for 45 to 60 seconds. Afterward, they pour the contents into a glass over a cup of ice and then add in a cup of regular or plant-based milk to suit. Flavors introduced since 2021 now include Brown Sugar, Strawberry, Coffee, Mango, Milk Tea, Matcha, and Taro.

Solely says it used its signature, patented cold-pressing process to transform dried green bananas into a traditional fusilli shape and texture. The dark-colored Organic Green Banana Fusilli Pasta cooks to an al-dente texture in just four minutes and is ready to be topped with a sauce or other ingredients.

They say necessity is the mother of invention. Yet here’s the story of an innovation father figure. Meet David Jones, creator of plant-based Bakon and co-founder of Thrilling Foods Inc. in Portland, Ore.

Recent insights show more consumers eat more plant-based meat, poultry, and seafood analogues from restaurants because these foods are prepared in the same way as animal proteins.

Whether you pour it, spread it, slice it or spoon it—plant-based dairy options are making inroads in consumer kitchens. Retail 2021 data from the Good Food Institute and SPINS showed plant-based milk category sales at $2.6 billion alone with one- and three-year growth figures of 4% and 33% respectively. Moreover, plant-based milks enjoyed a 16% share of market two years ago and 42% share of household penetration.

Last year saw The NPD Group, Chicago, share two consumer insight studies with implications for prepared meals and entrees. In its June “Future of Dinner” report, NPD said at-home dinner consumption still remains higher than pre-pandemic levels.

IRI, 210 Analytics and Marriner Marketing joined forces to study meat department sales and trends. In an end-of-year review, 210 Analytics President Anne-Marie Roerink noted that department sales have increased more than $9 billion between 2018 and 2022. Moreover, sales reached a record high of $87.1 billion, up 5.8% from 2021 levels.

The NPD Group suggests reports that consumers still eat most meals at home. Meanwhile, they’re continuing to try plant-based or vegetable-forward options for reasons of health or interest in sustainability. Others follow specialty diets and welcome quick, easy options. Everyday eaters also crave more international tastes.

Last December saw Chicago retail data tracker IRI release its “November 2022 Retail Food and Beverage Price Check” report. Published on December 8, it noted that food inflation finally moderated after August and hit its slowest rate last October, at +0.3%.