Sales of specialty foods and beverages in the U.S. rose to an all-time high of $86 billion in 2012. Cheese, yogurt and kefir products led the way in individual category sales, while energy bars and functional beverages showed the fastest rates of growth compared to 2011. –Supermarket News.
According to a recent survey, 75 percent of consumers in the U.K. want to see more international prepared-foods in grocery stores, with Chinese, Italian and Indian topping the list. –Foodmanufacture.co.uk
Children are eating more 43 more meals at home compared to a decade ago. Breakfast and lunch choices are significantly influenced by children—with 31 percent controlling breakfast choices and 24 percent choosing lunch items—but only 3 percent control what they eat for dinner. –Progressive Grocer