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Prepared Foods presented its 17th annual "Spirit of Innovation" awards for new product teams during the New Products Conference, Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at Chicago's Swissotel.

Learn more about the Spirit of Innovation Awards.

Posted: January 31, 2020

Over the years, Prepared Foods editors have looked forward to kicking off the year at The Specialty Food Association’s Winter Fancy Food Show. The show floor is filled with inspiring new products that give us a sense of where the food industry is and where it may be headed.

Posted: April 24, 2019

Whether companies are introducing sustainable products, plant-based foods, dairy alternatives or clean label beverages, an aspect of convenience is almost certainly part of product development discussions. As an increasing number of consumers satisfy appetites with small portion snacks, characteristics of convenience are becoming more sophisticated and nuanced among 2018 product introductions.

Here is a look at some recently launched products that keep convenience at the center of their reason for being.

Posted: November 7, 2018

Plant-based proteins aren’t just for vegans and vegetarians anymore as US consumers seek more protein in their diets and plant-based foods become more available and tastier. Higher demand for plant-based proteins is evidenced by the 19% growth in cases shipped of these proteins from broadline foodservice distributors to independent (one to two units) and micro-chain (three to 19 units) restaurant operators in the year ending March 2018 compared to same period year ago, according to The NPD Group. In-home consumption trends are also showing an increase in consumer demand with a 24% increase since 2015.

Posted: August 6, 2018

GlobalData projects breakfast cereal dollar sales growing at a 0.7% compound annual growth rate during the five years from 2016 to 2021. Interestingly, the pre-sweetened cereal category currently enjoys popularity as a snack. In fact, General Mills has shared data that an estimated 30% of all US cereal consumption (sugar concerns aside) now comes in the form of snacking—triple the level of a decade ago. 

Cereal makers centered new product activity on new flavors like chocolate and coffee, granola cereals that leverage snacking, kids’ cereals inspired by children’s snack preferences, and seasonal offerings.

Posted: May 24, 2018

As more states legalize recreational marijuana, the varieties of pot-enhanced food and beverage will increase. Take a look at this Prepared Foods’ Product Gallery, highlighting several recent releases in the growing edibles market. Look out for continued interest and acceptance in a host of snacks, treats, and beverages that feature the added benefits of cannabis.

Posted: February 14, 2018

Consumers, especially Boomers and increasingly members of Generation X, are seeking food and beverage products that feature functional benefits. To establish communication with these consumers, marketers have adopted the term “better-for-you” to describe new products that may provide one or more specific health benefits.

Here is a list of better-for-you products launched in the last six months.

Posted: January 12, 2018

The beverage category routinely generates a mountain of innovative new products. 2017 has been no exception. From plant-based beverages to kombucha to flavored beers, the beverage category is overflowing with cutting edge product development. Here is a snapshot of product innovations from the beverage category in 2017.

Posted: October 3, 2017

Convenience and health are two primary factors contributing to the continued growth in the snack and nutrition bar category. The versatility of the bar format has allowed product developers to tailor their new offerings to consumers seeking a snack, a meal, post-workout fuel or a general energy boost.

Here are a few examples of new bar introductions from the first half of 2017.

Posted: August 7, 2017

Innovation in the dairy category has flourished under pressure from the trend toward plant-based and dairy alternative food products.

Natural dietary benefits from healthy fats to gut health have positioned the dairy category to leverage basic, inherent health claims for future innovation.

Posted: July 5, 2017