Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/838473
The Trends Here are some trends and innovations that might give the breakfast bowl new meaning: 1. Breakfast Becomes Popular as an Anytime Portable Snack While baby boomers and generation Xers fuel much of the sales of cold cereal, millennials and their incessant snacking habits are forcing cereal makers to think out of the box. According to Mintel's "Hot & Cold Cereals" report, some 40 percent of millennials surveyed said that cereal was an inconvenient breakfast choice because they had to clean up after eating it, leaving those with morning hunger pangs to seek options that are portable, can be prepared quickly, and are consumed on the go with minimal cleanup. "While the busy millennial does not gravitate towards cold cereal as previous generations did, bowls of cereal and milk are now seen as a healthy indulgence for late-night snacks, rather than break- fast. Hot cereals are often enjoyed at the office or from foodservice," says Renee Wheeler, a consultant with market research company The Hartman Group. Retailers are also noticing this shift, especially in terms of sales. "I can't sell a stinking box of cereal, but instant on-the-go oatmeal cups, like Bob's Red Mill and Umpqua Oats, f ly off the shelves. Quick and fast is what it's all about these days," says Debra McAdams, assistant manager at Withey's Health Foods, in Kalispell, Mt. McAdams notes that protein shakes and smoothies are also detracting from boxed cereal sales. 2. Granola Is Still Going Strong Even though it can be higher in calories, granola, for its perceived healthfulness and portable snack appeal, seems to be back in the spotlight. "Granola is absolutely outperforming cold cereal by far," says Ethan Lohse, grocery manager, World Foods Market, Portland, Ore. Lohse says granolas' cleaner ingredient panel and on-the-go appeal are two reasons it's doing so well and touts brands like Crapola! Granola, Ranger Chocolate Granola, and Nora's Kitchen. Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 3829 "[For millennials,] bowls of cereal and milk are now seen as a healthy indulgence for late-night snacks, rather than breakfast. Hot cereals are often enjoyed at the office or from foodservice." SUMMER 2017 105