Convenience is a buzzword in the food and beverage industry. Such products are typically designed to optimise ease of consumption. While convenience is certainly no new feat, the past two years have propelled the sector to new heights, as restrictions and lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted the fresh produce aisles.
What once referred to pre-washed, bagged salads, the convenience food sector has grown into a £43.2 billion market in the UK alone, and now includes frozen foods, canned goods, meal kits, pre-made sandwiches, snacks and much more.
Interest in convenience is soaring, with many now personalising their approach to quick, on-the-go consumption. Here, FoodBev Media takes a closer look at some of the popular themes within the convenience food sector:
Cooking fatigue
The average UK worker clocks over 40 hours a week, leaving very little time to cook meals from scratch. As a result, they are looking for quick, simple and delicious solutions for their dinners.
Frozen food products have always been pivotal in this field, as they offer an effortless approach to dining. However, today’s consumer expects a nutritious, high-quality meal even from the frozen aisle, and manufacturers are stepping up to the challenge.
Companies like Applegate Farms with their recent Chicken Breast Bites and Tenders are looking to provide a quick, tasty and nutritious product for consumers on the go. Meanwhile, plant-based frozen food brand Strong Roots has gained increased popularity in the past year with its range of fries, hash browns, patties, bites and nuggets. The firm recently announced a partnership with McCain to grow its offering globally.
Healthy options
For a growing number of consumers, fast and easy solutions are not enough. Brands are noticing that convenience foods can also fall under the ‘affordable luxury’ category.
Consumers are willing to pay extra for a product that adheres to and supports a natural and healthy diet. Whether it is young professionals cooking for themselves or parents cooking for their children, people want to understand where their food is coming from, and what nutritional value it holds.
Mark’s Mindful Munchies is one such brand that looks at convenience as ‘affordable luxury,’ with its Pop Bitties Sweet Potato Chips. Founder, Mark Andrus, said the company is “trying to make snacking fun but also wholesome”. Pop Bitties Sweet Potato Chips contain only 110 calories.
Single-size servings
In light of recent lockdowns and social restrictions, more of us are finding solace in solitude. As the number of single-person households grows, people are looking for the same family-driven convenience food offerings, but without the added food waste.
Some continue their weekly or daily shop, some purchase foodservice or food-to-go options, or a combination of both. There is also a growing demand for the convenience sector to offer a quality smaller product for lunches.
Superbites bars by Tosi have entered this market as they aim to capitalise on the health-conscious consumer who lives alone. Superbites bars, which include ingredients such as almonds, chia seed and cashews, are a great source of fibre and are free of gluten, soy, dairy and grains. They provide much of the needed dose of vitamins and nutrition in a single-serve option.
Meal kits
Meal Kit suppliers are making it easier for consumers to be healthy and live a greener lifestyle as they offer measured portions, reduced grocery shopping trips and the correct ingredients. They also help and inspire consumers to cook at home, but with guidance.
This is where meal kit brands like FreshRealm, Gusto and Hello Fresh come into the picture. At FreshRealm, for example, meals mostly consist of comfort food classics such as carbonara baked chicken and spaghetti with meatballs.
Moreover, these meals provide a great source of nutrition. In the past 12 months alone FreshRealm has seen huge growth to the point it expanded its operations to now produce over 100 million meals annually.
Functional packaging
Packaging plays a major role in providing a seamless experience to consumers. A product with an appealing, easy-to-navigate packaging design is bound to succeed in the market.
Convenient packaging features such as easy tear-off tops, reclosable lids and re-sealable covers all have huge appeal. With more packaging companies also incorporating eco-friendly solutions, consumers also have the added satisfaction of feeling that they have done their bit to protect the planet.
Companies like Chobani are being celebrated for having their green thinking cap on as they get ready to launch their paper yogurt cups. The sustainable cup will be made up of 80% paperboard composed of responsibly sourced and renewable material.
Think you’ve got what it takes to win? Our World Food Innovation Awards 2022 ‘Best Convenience Innovation’ and ‘Best Convenience Packaging’ categories celebrate innovation and excellence in the convenience sector.
Enter your innovative products now for your chance to win!
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024
