Retailers and food companies know that it makes business sense to meet the needs of millions of people who cannot tolerate gluten. That’s why gluten-free versions of many foods are cropping up, usually at a higher price. But sales are soaring.
While times have been rough for some bakery categories, frozen pizza manufacturers continue to find their sweet spot by introducing products with creative flavors, premium toppings and affordable prices.
Nearly four years after the economic downturn, many Americans are still keeping a tight rein on their expenditures, monitoring how much they spend on essentials, including groceries, and nonessentials, such as eating out. Not surprisingly, many food manufacturers and restaurants have been impacted by this new-found consumer frugality, prompting the former to trim unprofitable items from their product lines and the latter to add more specials to their menus.
I am 100% sure that you have received a load of “must-have” nutritional advice. The overload of life lessons like this can be quite overwhelming, not to mention scary. I used to go to bed at night questioning my nutrition skills, thinking about how in the world I missed the research proving all of those theories. Well, a quick search or even a phone call to mom (or grams), proved false.
It can be rather tough for sweet goods products these days. The huge movement to better-for-you items hasn’t exactly been good news and a smooth fairway for this category. But bakers and manufacturers of sweet goods, snack cakes and other delectable treats are watching the demands just as closely as producers in other bakery market segments, and heeding the calls.
In my first column in February, I highlighted the rapid growth of the gluten-free market and provided an overview of conditions that require a gluten-free diet for treatment, as well as other reasons why consumers may be following it.
Clabber Girl passed the century mark because it has done many things right. But like any manufacturer, it faces plenty of challenges to stay competitive. So it keeps on top of things by identifying waste, reducing cycle times and improving productivity every step of the way.
The mounting pressure to stand out on grocery store shelves has manufacturers looking to new and exciting ways to grab interest in their products through better-for-you sweet and savory options and unique flavor profiles.
In a move toward boldly-flavored, healthful products, manufacturers are finding innovative ways to meet the needs of consumers who favor sweet and savory bakery foods and snacks. Starting with the dessert first, familiar flavors and healthful benefits can be found in many of Wholly Wholesome’s pie products.
Company: The Glutino Food Group, Laval, Quebec, Canada Website: www.glutino.com Introduced: August 2011 Distribution: National Suggested Retail: $5.49 for a 14.1-oz. loaf
Company: Mediterranean Snack Food Co., Boonton, N.J. Website: www.mediterraneansnackfoods.com Introduced: May Distribution: National Suggested Retail: $3.49-$3.99 for a 4.-5 oz. box
Company: thinkproducts, Ventura, Calif. Website: www.thinkproducts.com Introduced: January Distribution: National Suggested Retail: $1.69-1.99 for a 1.41-oz. bar or a 14.11-oz. box