Consumers think better for you food just might be better, but that’s not always what they buy!

Foodservice consumer responded to a research survey conducted by the International Food Information Council (IFIC) on Functional Foods. The survey found that “89% of Americans agree that certain foods can have benefits for long term health including reducing the risk of disease or other health concerns. Consumer identified the following:

1. Fruits and vegetables

2. Fish / seafood

3. Milk & Yogurt

4. Meat & poultry

5. Herbs & spices

What is most interesting to me is that the number one item on the list also appeared as the number one food preferred by college students in dorm meal plans for the past 20 years!

Now think about it, our customers are looking for better for you product when they go out to eat and at home. Grocerants are now providing more Apples via McDonalds and Burger King to family’s via Kids portable bundled Kids meal options than Grocery stores sell whole raw Apples.

What is also important is what consumers do, not what they say. Fired food continues to be king! Burgers, french fries, chicken. Grocery stores, restaurants and convenience stores are all migrating too these key products. Boston Market understands the consumers desire for fried foods and is wise to add french fries.

Prudent retailers will soon understand the power of the Grocerant niche! Ready-to-eat, Ready-to-heat quality bundled meal options that are better for you, create demand and new avenues of distribution.

Foodservice Solutions is the global leader in the Grocerant niche. For more read this article: http://www.anything4restaurants.com/blog/index.php/2009/07/restaurant-consumer-discontinuity-the-consumer-moved-first/