In January, Dallas-based DMA Solutions, a full-service marketing agency exclusively serving the fresh produce industry, released its annual Food Trends report.

In an effort to provide insight on a constantly evolving food space, DMA Solutions researched the top trends for 2020 across all aspects of the food space and combined findings into an insightful magazine to inform food industry professionals.

Available for free download at www.dma-solutions.com/marketing-resources, the digital magazine uncovers upcoming trends happening in the field, retail stores, restaurants and the home table. From cover to cover, the magazine expands the narrative around food, without the disruption of advertisements.

“We understand the complexity of the food industry and the challenge of keeping up with all the developments, which is why we are dedicated to providing this annual resource for marketers to stay ahead of the curve when strategizing on behalf of their brands,” says Dan’l Mackey Almy, president and CEO of DMA Solutions. “Based on insight from our vantage point in the food space, being able to capitalize on trends will positively inform many aspects of marketing and business decisions this year.”

While some trends for 2020 are an expected topic of discussion, such as the conversation around plant-based products or biodegradable straws, other trends found in the magazine may be more surprising. For example, the frozen food market is expected to rise 28% by 2023, and 51% of people claim they snack on fresh fruits and vegetables five or more times per week. 

“The magazine not only covers statistically supported trends, but it also contains insights from various thought leaders in the industry,” says Lexi Cassidy, managing editor of Food Trends and social media specialist at DMA Solutions. “Between interviews with various chefs, influencers and brands, we hope this will serve as an all-encompassing resource to assist marketers in the year ahead.”

DMA Solutions’ 2020 Food Trends magazine is available now for free download at www.dma-solutions.com/marketing-resources. To learn more about DMA Solutions, visit www.dma-solutions.com/home or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  

Snacking

It’s no secret that snacking is on the rise, especially due to busy lifestyles making quick, convenient food options a necessity. As consumers become more conscious about their health, however, they also are seeking alternatives to processed snacks.

“Shoppers are becoming increasingly aware of the ingredients used to make their favorite snacks, so refrigerated snack foods with clean labels will be a big hit in 2020."

Chef Joe Schaber, Good Foods Group

According to a study on snacking published by Sonoco, 17 51% of respondents reported snacking on fresh fruits and vegetables 5 or more times per week. At the same time, raw produce snacking (think lone apples and bananas) is falling in popularity, while value-added pairings (such as produce alongside dips, cheese, or nuts) are emerging as an easy way to meet the need for a flavorful and balanced snack.

In response, throughout 2020 we expect to see further innovation in the fresh produce section—including strategic partnerships between complementary brands. After all, when it comes to convenience and fresh these days, it’s no longer a matter of “either/or,” but “both/and!” Snack pairings experienced $120 million in category growth from 2018-2019.16 Snack pairings experienced $120 million in category growth from 2018-2019.

Regenerative Farming

An alarming statistic produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations claims that at the current rate of degradation, the world’s topsoil could be gone within 60 years —and according to another expert at the forum, this is due in large part to intensive farming practices.

Enter: desperately needed new solutions in ag. Billed as “beyond organic” due to resulting improvement — rather than just retainment — of natural resources, regenerative farming is a hot topic in agricultural sustainability. Regenerative agriculture takes a holistic approach to enriching soil health through 10 key practices: No-Till Farming, Organic Annual Cropping, Composting, Terra Preta Soil Enrichment, Holistic Grazing, Animal Integration, Ecological Aquaculture, Perennial Crops, SilvoPasture, and Animal Forestry.

As the culture shifts toward placing increased value on ecosystem protection and preservation of natural resources, farmers who go above and beyond traditional farming practices will not only protect their own livelihoods, but also better position themselves to earn consumer trust and buy-in.

Store layouts

Grocery store layouts are changing to meet shopper demands, particularly those of younger generations, which are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the traditional grocery shopping experience.

Don’t be surprised if you begin to notice any of the following:

• Lighting that has been adjusted to highlight certain high-margin products and provide a higher-end experience.
• A changing product selection that features curated local options.
• In-store restaurants and bars, which are emerging to round out the shopping experience (and increase dwell time).

As a result of this gradual transformation, expect that retailers will need to continually innovate in order to attract consumers. Because average sales areas are steadily shrinking, grocery stores of the future will be one-third to one-half of the size they are today.

High-tech

By 2022, the number of commercial drones is expected to quadruple compared to 2018.

With greater consumer focus on concerns surrounding sustainability (particularly food waste), farmers increasingly are turning towards drones as a solution for tasks that require high precision to minimize resource use, such as the dispensing of water and fertilizer.

By more effectively leveraging such modern technologies, the industry will be able to not only operate more sustainably, but also increase productivity and reduce labor costs.

Furthermore, farmers are taking a page from other industries’ almanacs by incorporating “big data” gathered by these drones. Collected data will then guide operating decisions at the plant level— instead of at the field level—resulting in increased efficiency and reduced resource expenditure.