Top 10 Things to Consider When Discussing at Home Food Trends

At Home Food Trends

There has been a dramatic shift in how people are eating due to the coronavirus pandemic. This has caused food & beverage distributors to rethink their strategies and focus more on at home food trends. Such a shift requires a deep understanding of consumer behavior and the dynamics of the foodservice market. In order to make intelligent decisions, food & beverage distributors need to be armed with data-driven insights and analytics in order to remain competitive. To provide an overview of what food & beverage distributors should be aware of when discussing at home food trends, here is a list of the top 10 things to consider.

1. Increased Delivery & To-Go Services

One of the most obvious shifts in the foodservice market has been the increase in delivery and to-go services. Consumers are no longer opting to dine in restaurants as much as they used to. This shift means that food & beverage distributors should be focusing on ways they can meet this need. This can take many forms such as collaboration with third-party delivery services, offering delivery incentives to customers, or even developing their own delivery service.

2. Leverage Technology

In order to keep up with the rapidly changing market, food & beverage distributors should be leveraging technology. This includes exploring options like delivery apps, restaurant software, and various digital solutions that can streamline operations and increase customer satisfaction.

3. Increased Sanitation

Given the pandemic, food & beverage distributors need to make sure to prioritize sanitation. This includes taking steps such as ensuring proper mask-wearing among staff, utilizing contactless delivery options, and adhering to relevant health and safety guidelines. All of these measures must be taken in order to ensure a safe and comforting experience for customers.

4. Focus on Healthy Options

Consumers are no longer satisfied with processed, unhealthy foods. Instead, they’re looking for healthier options such as plant-based proteins, superfoods, and organic ingredients. Food & beverage distributors should be sure to keep up with the latest health trends and incorporate relevant items into their menus.

5. Use Innovative Packaging

Packaging is a key element of the foodservice industry. Customers want items that look appetizing while also being easy to handle and store. As such, food & beverage distributors should prioritize the use of innovative packaging solutions that meet these needs and make the customer experience more pleasant.

6. Evaluate Portion Sizes

The demand for individual meals has increased as people now have smaller households or are opting to dine out less. As such, it’s important for food & beverage distributors to evaluate their portion sizes and adjust accordingly. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to downsize their portions; it just means that they must be flexible in order to create meals that meet customer needs.

7. Shift to Premium Products

In addition to healthy options, customers are also seeking out higher quality, premium products. This could include fresh produce, organic meats, and craft beers. It’s important for Food & beverage distributors to identify and incorporate these types of products in order to attract and retain customers.

8. Expand Your Platforms

The number of channels through which food & beverage distributors can reach customers has increased significantly over the past year. This includes not only delivery apps but also social media apps, delivery aggregators, and even experiential services such as ghost kitchens. It’s important for food & beverage distributors to explore these platforms in order to maximize reach and create an omnichannel presence.

9. Utilize Data-Driven Insights

In order to succeed in the changing foodservice market, food & beverage distributors need to ensure that they’re using data-driven insights to make decisions. This includes understanding customer preferences and incorporating market intelligence in order to gain a better understanding of the market.

10. Emphasize Quality Over Quantity

Finally, food & beverage distributors should emphasize quality over quantity. Creating unique, high-quality dishes with fresh ingredients will help ensure that customers return to them for their food needs. This includes focusing on house-made and locally sourced items in order to differentiate their offerings.

At home food trends are constantly shifting and food & beverage distributors need to keep up if they want to remain competitive. To do so, they should consider the points outlined in this article. This includes leveraging technology, increasing sanitation, focusing on healthy options, utilizing innovative packaging, evaluating portion sizes, shifting to premium products, expanding their platform, utilizing data-driven insights, and emphasizing quality over quantity. With the right approach, food & beverage distributors can successfully transition to at home food trends and make the most out of the current market situation.