More Consumers Are Turning to Plant-Forward Diets Reports Packaged Facts

Beginning in 2020 and continuing through 2022, the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant effect on consumer habits. Packaged Facts' May 2022 National Online Consumer Survey indicated that 30% of consumers were still eating more fresh produce than they did pre-pandemic.

Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, increasing concerns about health, animal welfare, and the environment have led more consumers to turn to plant-forward diets

The pandemic has expanded interest in healthy eating and lifestyles, and in turn 

4 Major Trends in Food Carryout and Delivery

Many consumers have reported using more food carryout and delivery compared to pre-pandemic behavior. In 2021, U.S. food carryout and delivery sales reached $694 billion due in part to the impact of the pandemic, which helped drive the demand for convenient foods eaten at home, as detailed in Food Carryout and Delivery in the U.S., 2nd Edition by Packaged Facts. The report describes a variety of unique food delivery and carryout trends to watch, including those highlighted below.

1. Continued Elevated Use Of Food Carryout And Delivery
Food carryout and...

Consumer and Corporate Food Gifting Market Rises to $33 Billion

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020 and 2021, more people were staying at home and not gathering as much in person. Food gifts have been a good gift to send directly to people who are staying at home because they are practical, easy to ship, comforting, and a good way to send treats to someone who cannot be visited in person. Corporate gifting has also increased rapidly during the pandemic as more employers have canceled in-person holiday parties and...

Packaged Facts Reports Children's Food and Beverage Market Rises to $70 Billion

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020 and 2021, retail sales of children's food and beverage products expanded faster than average due to increased spending at food stores and growing desires for healthy products for the whole family.

In 2021, sales reached $70 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by Packaged Facts' new report Children's Food and Beverage Market: Trends and Opportunities. Products marketed for children are primarily purchased by their parents/guardians...

The Rise of Low-Carb, Keto, and Paleo Snack Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many aspects of consumer behavior and daily life. The grocery market experienced much faster than average growth in 2020 since people were staying at home more than usual due to remote work and schooling. Consumers are also snacking more when home more during the pandemic, and some have gained weight.

Interest in low-carb eating plans has increased as consumers are making efforts to improve their health or shed pandemic pounds. The keto and paleo diet both feature lower carb content and have a...

U.S. Pet Treat Sales Approach $10 Billion Mark

In its just-released report on Pet Treats and Chews in the U.S., Packaged Facts projects that U.S. retail sales of dog and cat treats will reach $9.87 billion by the end of 2021, after two years of double-digit increases.

Sales growth in treats has consistently outpaced the more mature pet food market and pet supplies in general, and this growth accelerated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Pet owners spending more time at home with their pets has translates into more opportunities for treat-giving,” notes Packaged Facts analyst...

Packaged Facts Analyst Comments on JBS Acquisition of Cultivated Meat Company

Cultivated meat products, which are lab-grown alternatives to meat that are produced by in vitro cell cultures of animal cells, are seeing rapid product development as many consumers are increasingly looking for alternatives to meat that are better for the environment or animal welfare.

As consumers have increasingly been adopting plant-based meat alternatives in their diet, food producers have been investing in the alt-meat space (plant-based and cultivated meat products) to take advantage of massive growth opportunities. Packaged Facts projects that the U.S. market for...

Packaged Facts Analyst Comments on Home Chef Hitting the $1 Billion Mark

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19 as consumers continue to spend more time at home. In 2020, more consumers than ever before were deciding to order meal kits and other food and beverage items online to avoid grocery shopping in crowded stores, where they might be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Growth has continued through 2021 as consumers looked to meal kits and grocery e-commerce as a convenient alternative to conventional grocery shopping and meal planning...

Better-for-You Snacks Market Rises to $39 Billion

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020 especially, more people looked to improve their health to prevent or lessen the severity of illness. Consumers are buying more better-for-you snacks that have health claims or label claims perceived to be healthier to improve health and hopefully ward off illness. Snacks with claims that are better-for-you feature good taste, indulgence, and convenience while being healthier than standard snacks by virtue of nutrition or portion sizes.

In 2020, sales reached $39 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by Packaged Facts' new report Better-for-You Snacks: Market Trends and Opportunities. Snack products in the scope of this report include...

The Factors Propelling Retail Food Sales Forward

Sales spiked significantly in 2020 (+14% from 2019 levels) due to the impact of the coronavirus, according to the update of Packaged Facts' benchmark coverage of retail food sales in Food Market Outlook 2021: Grocery Shopping, Home Cooking, & Food Preferences in the Waning Pandemic Period.

Consumers sharply curtailed dining out or using school cafeterias and instead did more grocery shopping to prepare and eat most meals and snacks at home. Going forward, retail grocery sales are projected to increase at a significantly lower rate in 2021 from this high base as...