Weekly Roundup – Week of 12.19.2022
December 23, 2022
This final roundup of the year highlights food and beverage-related trends and stories from the past week – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Five Food & Beverage Trends To Watch In 2023
According to experts’ predictions, consumers will look for foods and beverages that contribute to their overall health and wellness while also satisfying their desire for comfort and enjoyment. Restaurant SmartBrief highlights five top trends that will gain ground in 2023. Fermented and pickled foods and drinks grew in popularity this year – searches for pickled-flavored food on Yelp increased 55% – and will continue to grow as chefs and bartenders experiment with new fermentation processes. Technomic’s 2023 trend forecast noted, “expect pickling to extend to everything from proteins and French fries to herbs and nuts, while pickled ingredients, themselves, will top unexpected dishes.” Experiential add-ons that showcase local culture and community will top the list as indicated by the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot Report. Diners are seeking innovative experiences that include activities and entertainment while eating out. This year, Yelp searches for dinner theaters and underwater restaurants increased 109% and 263%, respectively. TikTok also topped experts’ list as the dominating social platform that will continue to influence consumers on where to dine or what new foods to try. And simple recipe searches on TikTok are expected to spike. Instacart’s trends expert Laurentia Romaniuk said, “Most of the time, and especially now in this economy, a recipe is less likely to take off if it has an extensive list of ingredients that can rack up a hefty bill. In 2023, we’ll see new food trends emerge that are conducive to budget meals – many of which will prioritize common pantry and fridge staples.” Find All Five Here.
Costco Puts Customers & Employees First
Costco was recently named Yahoo Finance’s 2022 Company of the Year. Keeping prices in check, along with Costco’s 90-day return policy for big-ticket items, are likely a couple of reasons that Costco reported a 92.6% membership renewal rate in the U.S. and Canada. According to Richard Galanti, Costco’s CFO, employee compensation packages are also a benefit that sets this big-box retailer apart from its competitors. Costco’s average hourly wage is slightly more than $25 per hour, its healthcare plan includes medical, dental, and vision and the company contributes 3-9% of employees’ annual wage to their 401K plan, based on years of service. Galanti noted that it’s important for Costco to continue to drive value to customers along with ongoing support and motivation for its team members. Read Story.
Beverage Giants Stay Afloat Amid Economic Slowdowns
The Food Institute reviews how both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have survived inflation, instability in global markets, and the rise in consumer purchases of private-label alternatives. For Coke, unit case volume is up 6% year-over-year alongside pricing strength. The article states that Coca-Cola has been able to pass along increased costs to consumers while also pushing more units to those consumers, showing an impressive combination that suggests real brand strength. PepsiCo’s year-to-date, first three fiscal quarters, volume in convenient foods was up 1.5% and up 5% in beverages. The company has realized strong unit growth in developing markets and in pricing in North America. While Frito-Lay North American sales are down 1% year-to-date in units, they’re up 16% in dollars, according to the article. Read More.
We’ve Been Eating Metals In our Dark Chocolate?
Over the years, many studies have indicated that dark chocolate boasts a rich supply of antioxidants and relatively low levels of sugar. Yet with all the good benefits this confectionary favorite offers, reports also show dark chocolate can contain dangerous ingredients. Consumer Reports (CR) tested twenty-eight dark chocolate bars and twenty-three of them contained high levels of cadmium or lead and five had high amounts of both metals. CR’s food safety researcher explains that long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals can cause developmental problems in growing fetuses, affect brain development and lower IQ, and lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, and kidney damage. The National Confectioners Association and As You Sow investigated how these metals got into products to advise chocolate manufacturers on appropriate ways to reduce contamination. The study reported that soil is the main source of cadmium and that air blown out of the soil, air pollution, and dust were the sources of lead. Changing soil composition and tweaking tree genetics could reduce cadmium in the long term, and covering beans while fermenting or cleansing them more deeply post-fermentation was recommended to reduce amounts of lead, as indicated by the study. Learn More.
Festive Fun
One mom’s holiday itinerary spreads warmth this holiday season. Khalid El Khatib tweeted an image of his mom’s email that outlined her list of activities and her food menu for the holiday week, and his tweet received an outpouring of love. As Khalid and his siblings make their way home for the holidays, their mom is planning a week full of fun outings, festive entertainment, and daily menus full menu of fabulous meals, snacks, and desserts. Can we join you? LOL
Speaking of holiday family fun, advent calendars are still as popular as ever. While miniature holiday-themed chocolates have been the prominent feature in these 24 days of surprises, 2022’s calendars have evolved to include some unique items. These calendars are an excellent way for companies to give consumers product samples they might consider purchasing in larger sizes later on. The Hustle takes a look at some innovative advent items. Alcohol, beef jerky, crystals, nail polish, and socks are a few. As most advent calendars are affordable to cost-conscious consumers, some big brands are selling theirs in the thousands. For example, Dior’s calendar which includes sample-size perfumes, soaps, and a candle lid cost consumers an astronomical $3,500 this holiday. Worth the price?
Our weekly roundup will continue after the first of the year. In the meantime, our Omnivore family wishes all our readers a happy and healthy holiday season and all the best for the New Year.
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