These industry-altering products will shape what’s new and next for the future of food and beverage with flavorful and marketable items designed to satisfy customers’ taste and boost sales for years to come.

IRI®, a fast-growing global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, announced the launch of the IRI Diversity Advantage Program™ (DAP) to inspire and empower rising minority- and women-owned consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies to achieve positive organizational growth.  

In response to the pandemic, the Specialty Food Association (SFA) focused on creatively and consistently providing opportunities for its members. This includes the 49th Annual sofi™ Awards, a celebration of culinary excellence and creativity. 

Hybrid flavor innovation is increasingly being used to deliver new sensory experiences for progressively adventurous consumers, offering food and beverages that can broaden the dimensions of indulgence.

The relationship between mood and eating played out big time during the pandemic, especially when it comes to snacking and treating ourselves, reports The NPD Group. With many people spending more time at home during the pandemic, snack foods and treats, both better-for-you and indulgent, help to fill voids created by sadness, boredom, stress, and other moods.

Taste is a top driver of purchase in food and beverage and is a powerful way to create more engaging product experiences. Discover how flavor is being used to create new dimensions of indulgence, recreate restaurant quality experiences in-home, reimagine traditional favorites and provide immune boosting associations.

The McCormick Flavor Forecast has been uncovering the trends that transform the way we cook, flavor, and eat for over two decades. The Flavor Forecast 21st Edition continues to connect consumers and food professionals with the latest global flavors and ingredients to delight the senses and bring eating experiences to the next level.

Newly expanded Kroger Our Brands Recycling Program is the first program of its kind and advances the retailer’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social and environmental impact plan.

Although there may be a pandemic-related slowdown, there’s no stopping new product development. To better help readers with corporate innovation strategy, Prepared Foods turned to leaders at the Eureka! Ranch and the Innovation Engineering Institute, Cincinnati. Founded in 1986, Eureka! Ranch has become a global think tank and innovation training company. 

Driving toward a goal of using more sustainable materials in packaging, two Lamb Weston Alexia brand products will use corn and potato starch in their packaging beginning this month.