As Torch Group’s Food and Beverage Practice Leader, I have had the privilege of attending some of the biggest food shows in 2023 so far, including Expo West, DOT Innovations, and the Summer Fancy Food Show. I enjoy attending these shows, not just to sample some of the latest culinary innovations, but more importantly to witness firsthand the dynamic shifts and multifaceted transformations taking place in the food and beverage industry.
As the founder and former CEO of a better-for-you branded snack food company, I’m in awe of the creativity, dedication, and passion driving changes in the F&B space. But now, as the Food & Beverage Practice Leader of the Torch Group team, I attend these shows with a unique objective of gaining a strategic understanding of the challenges brands face in order to drive growth and innovate to keep up with the latest trends taking over the industry.
Here are just five of the biggest trends that I think are shaping the future of food:
- Advancements in the Supply Chain
Advancements are happening across every step of the supply chain with a race among many brands to invest in sustainable sourcing and packaging, reduce their carbon footprint, and leverage technology to increase efficiency. From strategically building warehouse space to modernizing ordering systems, the food and beverage supply chain is beginning to implement innovative solutions to help things stabilize after a turbulent few years.
- Plant-Powered Foods
With consumers focused on choosing brands that are committed to animal welfare, the environment, mindful preparation, and healthier eating habits, plant-based products have maintained the spotlight across all three shows. The food industry is revolutionizing the way we eat plant-based food, turning plant-powered ingredients into gourmet delights that don’t skimp on taste, like yogurt made from a chickpea base and canned plant-based milk made with chickpeas, oats and chicory root.
- The Rise of Functional Food and Beverage Products
Consumers are recognizing that their dietary choices can have a significant impact on their long-term health, leading them to opt for foods that offer optimal nutrition along with tangible health and wellness benefits, like added energy and improved sleep, digestion, and heart health. It was interesting to see functional mushroom products like “jerky” and ready-to-drink tonics that offered various wellness benefits.
- Embracing Sustainability
From smart farming techniques that optimize crop yields to packaging solutions that are made exclusively from plants instead of plastic, the food industry is taking a holistic approach to sustainability with implementing solutions to reduce food waste and green manufacturing being two hot topics.
- Utilizing Technology for Optimization
When you think technology, you probably don’t immediately think food. However, there is a growing number of foodtech startups leveraging technology to simplify and optimize tasks throughout the industry. For example, automation technology can be used to monitor crops to ensure ideal growing conditions that enhance flavor.
The insights I have gained from attending these shows has left me excited about the future of food and driven to find the transformative leaders that can work within operating constraints to deliver efficiencies and inspiration to our food and beverage clients.
If you’re facing strategic hiring challenges that are preventing you from capitalizing on any of the latest trends, let’s talk. With 30+ years’ experience in the food and beverage industry, I understand the obstacles you need to overcome.