As 2017 is coming to a close, it’s a good time to start looking forward to see what next year will bring. Mintel, an international award-winning provider of market research, released its “Global Food & Drink Trends” report in which were announced the following five trends set to impact the food and drink market around the world in 2018: complete and total transparency, self-care/well-being, texture, scientifically engineered foods and personalization. According to the study, “widespread distrust has increased the need for food and drink manufacturers to be forthcoming about their ingredients production processes, and supply chains.” Complete transparency, therefore, will need to become a priority for many manufacturers to help consumers feel confident about the safety of their food and drink purchases. The second theme on the list, self-care/well-being, has become a mainstay in many consumers’ lives as they have begun to determine their own individual ideas of what is healthy for them based on their needs or the occasion. The study states that “approaches to personal well-being vary by individual, but are increasingly marked by consumers developing their own unique definitions of healthy diets and lifestyles.” Texture is the third trend cited because it adds another element to eating and drinking that can further enhance the experiences beyond just taste alone. The report says that “texture is the new facet of formulation that can be leveraged to provide consumers with interactive and -documentation-worthy – experiences.” The next trend mentioned, scientifically engineered foods, is on the rise as the desire and need to minimize the carbon footprint and stretch the global food supply come into play. As a result, interest in laboratory-grown meats and animal-free dairy have become increasingly popular and the demand for this is only expected to grow exponentially. “Technology will begin to disrupt the traditional food chain in 2018 as enterprising manufacturers aim to replace farms and factories with laboratories,” according to Mintel. Rounding out the list of expected food and drink trends for next year is the ushering in of a new era in personalization, largely brought on by the expansion of online and mobile food shopping and the ability to specifically target promotions and products to individual shoppers. “The rapid expansion in the variety of food and drink channels will fuel the opportunity for recommendations, promotions, and product innovations based on actual consumer behavior patterns.” To download the complete 44-page report for free, go to: www.mintel.com/global-food-and-drink-trends/.
Speaking of personalization, The Campbell Soup Co. has not only taken heed of a trend but has taken it up to the next level by becoming the sole investor in Habit, a meal delivery startup that offers personalized nutrition (also referred to as nutrigenomics). The San Francisco-based company, which launched in early 2017, develops nutritional recommendations and delivers personalized meals based on an individual’s biology, metabolism and personal goals. Users provide body metrics (such as height, weight and waist measurement) and complete an at-home test kit which measures 60-plus biomarkers to determine what the best foods and nutrients are for each individual. These tests are then utilized to design a unique nutritional plan for the customer. A team of chefs then creates meals based on these results which get delivered to the consumer’s home. According to Denise Morrison, president and CEO of Campbell Soup, “The entire food industry is being transformed by the fusion of food, well-being and technology.” Morrison continued, “Habit is well positioned in this wired for well-being space and poised to lead the personalized nutrition category. Campbell’s investment is part of our broader efforts to define the future of food, which requires fresh thinking, new models of innovation, smart external development and venture investing to create an ecosystem of innovative partners.”
The Milbank Quarterly, a periodical that features peer-reviewed original research, policy review and analysis from academics, clinicians, and policymakers, recently published a study entitled, “Consumers’ Response to an On-Shelf Nutrition Labelling System in Supermarkets: Evidence to Inform Policy and Practice” in which it reported the positive impact of on-shelf nutrition labeling system on supermarket sales and revenues. The investigation, which was equally collaborated on by researchers from Public Health Ontario, Duke University, University of Toronto, and University of Waterloo, found that, not only did shoppers make small but significant shifts towards higher nutritional ratings, but that there were also increases in the number of products per transaction, price per product purchased and total revenues. Information gathered during exit surveys for this study, however, do indicate that building customer awareness on how the nutritional labeling systems should be addressed and improved for optimum results. In response to the study’s release, Jim McBride (director for Guiding Stars, the North American nutrition guidance program used in the investigation) said, “Unhealthy diets are a top risk factor for chronic disease worldwide, so it makes sense for public policymakers to explore interventions that inspire consumers to make better choices. As this groundbreaking investigation shows, not only does the Guiding Stars system help consumers make small but significant positive changes in their nutritional choices, supermarkets also benefit through higher revenue.”
The Network of Executive Women (NEW) Mid-Atlantic hosted its popular “Executive Straight Talk!” networking series earlier this month at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Hyattsville, MD. The event, which was moderated with aplomb by Judy Spires, chairman and CEO of KB Holdings Inc (Kings and Balducci’s), consisted of a panel of three industry executives: Acme SVP Dan Croce, executive vice president of the west region for Albertsons Companies Susan Morris and NEW national president and CEO Sarah Alter. Each panelist addressed the evening’s theme, “The Voice of Leadership: How Leaders Inspire, Influence and Achieve Results” by presenting a real-life obstacle they faced in their careers. Before each speaker explained how they successfully navigated their dilemma, attendees were asked to engage in a discussion with the other people at their tables to figure out collectively how they would address the issue. The exercises were not only a great way to keep the audience engaged throughout the evening, but they also helped foster critical thinking and teamwork among the attendees. A special shout-out also goes out to Phyllisann Fobian of GlaxoSmithKline, who was recognized at the event by NEW National with a “Best of the Best” award for Leadership in the networking organization. What a well-deserved honor!
Finally, I would like to commend Elda Devarie, NEW committee member and president of the international foods distributor EMD Sales, for her Relief For Puerto Rico Bags of Love fundraising efforts. In addition to providing more than 400,000 pounds of food and supplies to offer relief for those devastated by the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Elda and her team at EMD Sales organized volunteers and donations this month to fill 1,500 boxes of 25 pounds each with ingredients for Christmas dinner and board games as gifts for towns with populations below the poverty line. Their hard work to raise funds and collect donations for Puerto Rico continues, so if you’d like to contribute to the relief efforts, every bit helps! For donations up to $1,000, you can go to www.gofundme.com/bagsofloveforpr. For additional information and larger donations, you can email [email protected] or call 301.322.4503, ext 130. Elda, with your generous heart, tenacious spirit, and tireless work ethic, you truly are an inspiration not just during this Christmas season, but throughout the rest of the year as well.
Happy Holidays to each and every one of you!
Until next month AND next year…