Despite economic woes, Americans continue to crave indulgent foods, including prepared cakes and pies. Changing demographics, continued innovation, in-store bakeries, specialty retail and private label items, and the growth in refrigerated, packaged baked goods are all part of the emerging future of this sector.

Soup sales benefit from consumers economizing. Vegetable, sodium substitutes and micronutrients are on the upswing, with opportunities present in ethnic flavors.