Social Media is driving growth in the grocerant fresh prepared ready-to-eat / ready-to-heat food niche.

Foodservice Solutions of Tacoma, WA garners attention via social media for it’s expertise in the grocerant niche. C-level industry chain professionals from Restaurants, Grocery Stores and Convenience Stores have for months be seeking information on the grocerant niche from Steven Johnson at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions via Linkedin in ever increasing numbers. Front line chefs are following grocerant information on Facebook. The grocerant niche comprised of fresh prepared food that is ready-to-eat and or ready-to-heat, better for you food is propelling growth within the all retail foodservice sectors.

While consumers remain loyal to supermarkets for affordable, convenient meal solutions, bundled fresh prepared meal components are driving daypart sales. Interestingly fully-cooked meat, which accounts for 6 percent of meat department dollars, had the greatest dollar increase from the prior year. Growth was driven primarily by fully-cooked chicken, which increased 3 percent in sales in 2009 at competitive prices. Watch for specials on Pork and Seafood cooked coming to a grocer near you.

Boston Market now has five new sauces in a mix & match set that empower choice; something consumer like. In addition they have begun to focus on catering; again this is something that not only builds top line growth but expands the brand beyond the four walls. Many QSR’s have begun selling “snack” items, which has expanded daypart sales and consumer choice while increasing consumer frequency.

While convenience stores focus on price and bundled meal options the entire niche is following the fresh prepared food niche. We will soon be seeing regional chefs prepare portable meal’s selections in the Convenience stores sector. These are exciting times in retail foodservice. What we eat, how we eat and where we buy our meals are all evolving rapidly. We at Tacoma, WA based are monitoring the success steps in retail foodservice.

Join me here on my blog for insights, information and inspiration. Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche for more on Steven A. Johnson and Foodservice Solutions visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant or on Facebook at Steven Johnson