Coronavirus Coverage

US Consumers Increasingly Turn to Food as Medicine During Pandemic

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 07:00:00 -0400

Consumers have been trying foods, ingredients, and substances that help them build immunity, prevent inflammation, aid their digestive health, and relieve stress and anxiety, according to NPD’s Health Aspirations and Behavioral Tracking Service, which continually tracks consumption habits linked to wellness goals and identifies long-term, mainstream trends.

Home Baking Product Sales Up 24% to $26 Billion

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 06:00:00 -0400

As the coronavirus pandemic caused lockdowns and a number of office workers relocated to working at home full-time in 2020, many consumers began to spend most of their time at home and looked for more home-based activities. Baking activity took off, and subsequently, sales of baking-related products soared by 24% last year to reach to $26.5 billion, reports market research firm Packaged Facts in the new report Home Baking: US Market Trends & Opportunities.

What’s on the Menu: Global Foodservice Outlook

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:45:00 -0400

In many countries, including those in Europe and North America, COVID-related disruptions remain the most relevant driver of foodservice performance in the near term. The pandemic has accelerated several strategic elements of the foodservice industry, which will continue to drive agendas even after the current crisis ends.

Shoppers Plan to Stick to Some New Habits Post-COVID

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0500

Acosta, an integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, released findings from its most recent COVID-19 shopper insights study. The research found that while the pandemic concern level is finally on the decline, shoppers acknowledge it will be a long time before things return to normal. Shopping and eating behaviors dramatically changed last year, and many shoppers plan to continue those new habits post-COVID-19.

US Foods Introduces COVID-19 Resources to Help Restaurant Operators

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0500

US Foods Holding Corp. announced the introduction of its "Make It This Winter" platform. The platform offers a collection of valuable resources, including one-on-one consultations with US Foods experts, informational webinars, new outdoor dining products, and updated online materials and tools for restaurant operators to tackle the ongoing challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaccine Adoption & the Impact on CPG Industry

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 05:30:00 -0500

IRI’s latest report, “Anticipated Vaccine Adoption and Impact on CPG Industry,” explores the opportunities that retailers and manufacturers have to promote vaccinations, both as a physical destination where consumers can get a vaccination, and as part of overall wellness campaigns.

Today’s Consumers are Shifting to New Eating Behaviors

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0500

You don’t have to be an expert in, well anything, to know 2020 was a year like no other.

Words like “unprecedented” were heard on a daily basis.

Changed Forever: What 2020 Did to Consumer Behavior

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 11:30:00 -0500

Coefficient Capital and The New Consumer worked with Toluna, Inc. to survey 3,500+ US consumers on shifting behaviors resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey, conducted in November 2020, asked consumers about their spending habits, consumption patterns and other behaviors related to food & beverage, fitness, alcohol and beauty.

Today’s Consumers are Shifting to New Eating Behaviors

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:08:00 -0500

You don’t have to be an expert in, well anything, to know 2020 was a year like no other.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Eating Patterns in America to Take a Sharp Turn

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:45:00 -0500

Annually, The NPD Group collects a year’s worth of data from its daily tracking of how US consumers eat away from and in home and compiles the topline trend into a report that’s been called "Eating Patterns in America" for the last 35 years. This year’s recently released Eating Patterns in America captures how in mid-March, the daily rhythms of consumers’ lives, including their eating patterns, were suddenly disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

IRI Holiday Research Predicts Disrupted Consumer Behaviors, CPG Opportunities

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0500

IRI projects turkey sales for Thanksgiving to be strong, with an emphasis on smaller whole birds or cuts. Turkey and roasting meats have enjoyed a sales boom during the pandemic, with the most robust growth among younger and lower-income shoppers.

FMI Releases 71st Annual The Food Retailing Industry Speaks Report

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 05:00:00 -0400

The annual The Food Retailing Industry Speaks (Speaks) report, released by FMI—The Food Industry Association, finds that in 2019 the food retail industry saw strong operational performance, which helped the industry face challenges in 2020. At the same time, outside forces including trade, credit/debit card interchange fees and health care costs impacted food retailers and kept profit margins steady.

Food and Nutrition Trends Released at Nutrition News Update Conference

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:30:00 -0400

New consumer insights reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way Americans are eating. Carbs are back, snacking is up and home cooks are experimenting with more partially plant-based, where meat or poultry may be blended with veggies, nuts or whole grains.

Scientific Review Shows Coronavirus Not Transmitted by Food

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:15:00 -0400

From April to August 2020, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), in partnership with North Carolina State University (NC State) researchers, conducted a scientific literature review to understand the nature of survival and persistence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in foods and on food contact surfaces and food packaging materials, and the potential for foodborne transmission.

Coronavirus Revitalizes Shrinking Retail Center Store Products, Frozen Foods

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0400

Previously, consumer's increasing desire for fresh unprocessed, healthier foods—found in store sections such as produce, meat and poultry, seafood, dairy, and deli and bakery—has been the main driver for the center store decline.

Disruption of Routine Depletes Commitment to Dieting & Nutrition Programs

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 14:30:00 -0400

Stuck at home with no place to go coupled with the stress of a worldwide pandemic have caused many US consumers to put dieting on the back burner, except for dieters on keto and other lifestyle diets, like gluten-free and clean eating, reports The NPD Group. US adult participation in total diet or nutrition programs dropped from 48.3% in April 2019 to 43.8% in April 2020, while participation in the keto and other specialty diets remained unchanged in April from a year ago, according to NPD’s Health Aspirations & Behavioral Tracking Service.

US Foodservice Industry Set to Rebound to Pre-Pandemic Levels by 2023

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 07:45:00 -0400

Mintel predicts total market sales to rebound to pre-pandemic levels by 2023, with limited-service restaurants (LSRs) including fast food and fast casual restaurants, bouncing back more quickly and representing a notably larger share of the market.

Study Shows Shoppers Seek Products to Lift Mood, Satisfy Cravings

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The current tracker data shows consumer purchase motivators are shifting to satisfy psychological mood lifters and sensorial cravings as the coronavirus pandemic continues. While functional health and safety were found to be important during early stages of the pandemic, those motivators have decreased in importance as consumers report seeking out experiences to change their mood.

New IDDBA COVID-19 Impact Report

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association released its latest COVID-19 Impact report. The report reflects how the current pandemic is impacting the bakery, dairy, deli meat, deli, cheese, and deli prepared sectors.

US Consumers Stockpile Indulgent Treats During COVID-19 Pandemic

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 00:00:00 -0400

In April, during the height of the shelter-at-home orders, 37% of consumers told NPD they wanted to make sure they had sufficient snack foods on hand. They were well-stocked on salty snacks and frozen sweets more than other items.

Specialty Food Sales Hit $158.4 Billion

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Based on sales data from the past three calendar years, the new Specialty Food Association's (SFA) annual State of the Specialty Food Industry Report reveals a robust specialty food industry hitting $158.4 billion in sales, a 10.7% increase since 2017. The full report includes commentary throughout that reflects the impact and ramifications of COVID-19.

Tracking How COVID-19 Pandemic Transforms the Way We Shop, Eat and Think About Food

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

If the COVID-19 pandemic has had big impacts on how you’re eating, shopping for food and thinking about food you’re far from alone. According to the International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) 2020 Food & Health Survey, 85% of Americans have made at least some change in the food they eat or how they prepare it because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Approximately 70% of Grocery Shoppers Find Desired Foods, 30% Still Experiencing Out of Stocks

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Although consumers have moved on from the panic grocery shopping they did in the early stage of COVID-19, they still maintain the same level of foods and beverages inventory. Across all categories, there has been only a 3% drop in the estimated number of food and beverage packages on hand in homes compared to early April, reports NPD.

New Hope Network Cancels Natural Products Expo East

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

New Hope Network misses gathering with the natural & organic products community, and we are sad to announce that we will need to wait until 2021 for us all to be together in person again due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 crisis on events and travel.

VIDEO: The Impact of COVID-19 on Grocery Shopper Habits

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 11:55:00 -0400

A new report provides a clear picture of grocery shopping habits before the pandemic, attitude shifts that took place during COVID-19 and offers a glimpse of what might come next for the food industry.

Evaluating Impact of COVID-19 on Grocery Shopper Habits

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Prepared by The Hartman Group, the 2020 report provides a clear picture of grocery shopping habits before the pandemic, attitude shifts that took place during COVID-19 and offers a glimpse of what might come next for the food industry.

Natural Product Sales Up Compared to Last Year

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0400

The new report, "COVID-19 and Navigating the Path Ahead: Supporting the Natural Products Consumer," highlights natural shoppers’ product and shopping preferences, recommended strategies for manufacturers and retailers to attract and retain consumers, and suggestions to maximize new opportunities in the future.

Fresh & Frozen Bakery Amid Covid-19

Fri, 15 May 2020 05:00:00 -0400

Covid-19 has affected bakery players in different ways. With foodservice representing as much as 70% of their sales, frozen bakery players have seen reduced orders as food consumption changes from restaurants to home kitchens.

Flavorchem: At-Home Snacking

Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00 -0400

Quarantine snacking has seen wide variance in consumption between relishing in comfort food and enhanced diligence to healthier habits. Flavorchem revealed some of the most prominent bakery and snack trends taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FMI, The Seam Partner to Create Digitized Food Supply Chain Platform

Wed, 13 May 2020 06:00:00 -0400

The primary purpose of the platform is to bring vast efficiencies to the food supply chain, while also serving as a critical tool in times of need. Retailers requiring additional resources to fulfill needs at grocery stores, are connected with sellers that have capacity of products, transportation services, labor, and warehousing services.