What’s in Store 2018, the latest edition of the annual trends publication of the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), and What’s in Store Online, a collection of more than 150 downloadable graphs and tables, as well as white papers, are now available.

Passion underpins the dedication to invest the time and resources required to bake bread with unmistakable Old World artisan flavor, appearance and texture. And strong business sense leads such bakers to judiciously capitalize on the technological tools available to help bring those truly artisan breads to a wide customer base without compromising craftsmanship.

General Mills Foodservice is helping bakeries, restaurants and foodservice operations meet consumer demand for baked items made with simpler ingredients.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, the domestic baking industry consumes an estimated $800 million worth of purchased fuels and electricity per year, as noted in its guide, "Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Baking Industry" (Nov. 2016 update, available on www.energystar.gov).

Automation, advances in sanitary design, greater worker safety and additional flexibility in packaging have been among the top requests that manufacturers of cutting, slicing and portioning equipment say they've been fielding from their customers this year.

Legal cannabis is already the fastest-growing industry in the U.S., with the first two states to legalize recreational use, Washington and Colorado, currently generating more than $100 million per month in sales.

Snack mixes and nuts have always been a popular snack because they have a "health halo," and are also usually available in on-the-go varieties. Over the past year, consumers have continued to search for better-for-you snack mixes, but at the same time, they're also looking for new and innovative flavors and varieties that are perhaps more exotic than previous incarnations, with touches of indulgence.

The latest form/fill/seal (FFS) packaging systems are designed to accommodate a wide range of packaging options at high speeds while ensuring food safety via sanitary design. The systems combine flexibility and automation, as they often need to pack different products on the same line. In addition, new designs enable quick changeover.

Ever since Frank Yiannas of Walmart's Food Safety Leadership published his insightful book "Food Safety Culture" in 2008, the food and beverage industry has embraced the reality that having a strong food safety culture is essential for success.

As more bakeries embrace the trend of distributing frozen product, managing temperatures at key points throughout production has arisen as crucial aspects of success.