Demand for sports-nutrition products is broadening. No longer fueled by bodybuilders and competitive athletes alone, the global market for sports-performance foods, beverages and supplements is forecast to grow at a 9.7% compound annual rate through 2025—driven increasingly by purchases from recreational athletes and “everyday” consumers.

“According to Datassential's* research, 54% of customers crave more exciting fry options. We took that knowledge to our kitchen and created a unique fry shape and flavored it with distinct seasonings to deliver bold flavor and big results for our operators,” said Kim Cupelli, vice president of marketing.

Allergen- and soy-free stabilizing and texturing systems based on potato and pea protein can be used to make a wide range of products, from cold cuts to salami to bacon. 

One way consumers define convenience is as easy-to-eat, grab-and-go snacks. Bars and handheld baked goods are popular options, and potatoes can make them better, such as in a potato-infused toaster pastry.

The Waffled Hash Browns are easy to add to any menu as a creative breakfast item, a handheld snack, a sandwich carrier or in a creative appetizer application.

Lamb Weston frozen potato products were submitted for testing against national competitors’ products. Different lots of products were tested independently against a variety of attributes. All the products Lamb Weston submitted for testing qualified for the Seal of Excellence, which signifies the products achieved the Master Chef standard of quality.

Consider the case of breads made from yeast-leavened doughs. A common complaint among bakers is that tackiness in such doughs hinders production—slowing the mix, necessitating frequent starts and stops—and generally makes the dough harder to handle.

Gluten-free products rely on a combination of various flours and starches to replicate the functional properties of wheat flour. However, potatoes in several forms serve as an excellent gluten-free alternative to wheat-based breading agents. 

Consumer expectations and preferences for snacks have evolved to meet on-the-go lifestyles, health preferences and a hunger for new, bold flavors. Here, we look at two prevailing snack trends—flavor and function—that apply to potatoes, and how manufacturers can market and innovate snack foods to capture consumer cravings.

For every application from soups to desserts, potatoes are an essential addition to the traditional list of potential fillers, binders and extenders. Potatoes impart a neutral flavor and ideal texture to achieve a smooth, even and moist finished product.