By now, we've all read about the surge in home-cooking. Spending more time at home during the pandemic has provided the context for consumers to explore the food preparation spectrum, from making soups and casseroles to researching global foods and flavors and of course making a valiant attempt at baking. 

The sports nutrition market has been steadily growing. According to IRI, for the 52 weeks ending Feb. 23, 2020, the Weight Control, Nutritional Liquids, and Powders category netted sales of more than $4 billion, a 4.8% increase over 2019.

Consumer interest in comfort foods, especially indulgent foods, is higher than ever. Yet the forces driving that interest are in conjunction with an equally high awareness of the importance of nutrition to health. The two trends need not be in conflict, however. Several strategies already are firmly rooted in formulating better baked goods.

Times of uncertainty can have a significant impact on consumer behaviors, and the global pandemic has been a major change agent throughout the past year. The ways people snack are highly vulnerable to lifestyle shifts, more so than mealtime habits. 

Carnation Breakfast Essentials® Nutritional Drinks has collaborated with some of the most beloved cereal brands to launch new Carnation Breakfast Essentials® Flavored Nutritional Drinks packed with the same protein, vitamins and minerals as the original Carnation Breakfast Essentials® Nutritional Drinks. The new flavors include Kellogg's® Froot Loops®, Kellogg's® Krave™ and Kellogg's® Frosted Flakes®. In addition, Carnation Breakfast Essentials® Nutritional Drinks comes in a Golden Grahams™ flavor.

Comax Flavors has released new primary research on consumers’ behavior, usage, and attitudes towards all protein products—including powders, drinks, bar, bakery foods and other related snacks. 

Featuring the same recognizable ingredients and balanced nutrition as the brand's signature RX A.M. Oats Cups, the new RX A.M. Oats Packets boast easy-to-store packaging and a new flavor just in time for the coldest days of winter: Cinnamon Spice.

Bell Flavors & Fragrances is excited to announce the 2021 Spark® platform, which identifies key trends that will lead the way to new innovations within the flavor and fragrance industries. The Spark® platform serves as the origin of imagination, the essence of creativity and the future of what’s to come in the flavor and fragrance industry.

The goal is to create nutritious and innovative new menu items that are easy to make, meet nutritional guidelines, can be made with ingredients already found in school pantries and, most importantly, entice students to line up for “hot lunch” every day.

Livio Bisterzo, founder of Buddy Nutrition and chief executive officer of the brand’s holding company, Green Park Brands, is best known for bringing some of the world’s fastest growing natural snack brands to market, including HIPPEAS’, Ugly Water, Reel Paper and Mavericks Snacks.