New formulations and attributes, such as portability and convenience, make consumers take a second look at these longtime favorites. 

The bread market is changing, with fluctuating commodity prices, a still-sluggish economy, consolidations, mergers and buyouts. 

New influences, trends and preferences are redirecting many bakers to develop and produce new products. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is still a critical issue, as are commodities, private-label products and many business consolidations. 

The bakery market is rife with change this year, as bakers face plenty of challenges that just keep coming. With a hailstorm of food-safety issues, for example, most bakers are beginning the certification process through the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program and others.