Local Fresh Food Will be a Key Driver of Growth in 2021

 

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson continues to monitor the rise of consumers preference for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared local food, menu items. According to a new study by A.T. Kearny, entitled Competing in an Age of Multi-Localism. The firm characterizes multi-localism "by preferences for local communities, industries, products and customs."

Courtney Rickert McCaffrey, manager of thought leadership for A.T. Kearney's Global Business Policy Council stated "We are seeing growing demand for local and personalized products gaining momentum," … "Consumers really want a local brand with a story to identify with, particularly millennials and the younger consumer."

It is not just about, local products, overall consumers trust large brands less and less than they did in the past, according to McCaffrey. While Johnson insists that is true, however Foodservice Solutions® findings indicate that there is an increasing desire for fresh food discovery in both flavor and new points of distribution.

American Express continues to support local via its ‘Shop Small’ program saying “you’re not supporting the local business you love –you’re helping share joy’ during the holiday season. When it comes to local food American Express say’s “Eat, drink, and be merry while supporting the local restaurants you love. In fact they offer a curated selection of independently owned eateries in almost every community in the U.S.

Interestingly another driver of localization is the growing attention to environmental concerns and the impact of purchases on sustainability. Local products are not shipped over long distances, so it takes fewer resources to bring them to market — plus local foods and beverages are often seen as fresher in the eyes of consumers.

MCCaffrey continued "In our survey, 89 percent of companies globally are already pursing or considering pursuing localization," That said, how are you positioning your fresh prepared food?

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, www.Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or www.twitter.com/grocerant/