Food & Drink Megatrends

Food and drink consumption has seen many changes in recent years but three major trends have had a significant impact on what we eat.

Premiumisation

With increased foreign travel, a plethera of good-food programmes on television, UK consumers are becoming more engaged with good food and drink.

The phenominal growth of 'out-of-home' consumption in cafe's, restaurants and gastro-pubs is contributing to a food and drink revolution, where consumers expect great food and are willing to pay that bit more to get it!

When it comes to hot drinks, lattes and cappuccino's are the most popular hot beverages bought out of home (Allegra, UK Coffee Shop Report, June 2007), demonstrating the importance of high quality coffee shop style drinks.

Virtuosness

The World With phenominal growth in Fairtrade products sold out of home and other schemes such as the Rainforest Alliance become increasingly popular, ethically sourced products have never been more important...

Retail value of Fairtrade Coffee in 2006 was £43.7m v £38m in 2005
98% growth in Fairtrade products bought OOH, 2005 v 2006
1/3 of Fairtrade Coffee is sold out of home (Mintel, 2006)
73% of consumers would choose a Fairtrade product over a main brand out of home
Rainforest Alliance Coffee has grown from £7m in 2003 to £54.7 in 2006 (Out of Home Magazine, 2007)

In response to this trend, organisations are specifying ethically sourced products as a minimum entry point as the need for Corporate Responsibility takes a more prominant role in their strategy. Companies such as the Co-operative and Marks & Spencer are leading the way, but more and more specifiers and buyers now understand the importance of offering an ethically sourced range of food and drink.
Aimia Foods supplies a complete range of Fairtrade hot drink solutions from the award-winning Percol range as well as ethically sourced and economically priced coffee from Buendia. Look out for further developments with the introduction of Rainforest Alliance coffee and tea from Buendia and PG tips over the coming months.
Health
Whilst enjoying more premium foods, consumers still have a debit and credit attitude to food and drink.
With increased Government legislation and news in the media around health, well-being and diet we are all becoming more concerned about the effects of the food and drink we consume.
Trans Fatty Acids
The big news at the moment are Trans Fatty Acids (TFA's), a by-product of Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (HVO's), which are used in many food and drink products including hot drink whiteners. Health professionals recommend that we should reduce our consumption of TFA's as they have been linked with heart disease and increased cholesterol levels. In response to this, many high street cafe's and coffee shops as well as retailers are already replacing their food products with TFA free alternatives.
Aimia leading the way...
Aimia Foods is leading the way in vending ingredient technology with the development of HVO free whiteners, milk and chocolate products. With the award-winning HVO free Whitener and Superior Granulated Skimmed Milk from Milfresh, as well as the recently launched Amour de Chocolat, Aimia offer the vending operator a range of healthier products, which do not contain TFA’s.
Are you getting your 8 glasses a day?
Water consumption is also becoming increasingly important and to help us achieve our 8 glasses a day, Aimia have a wide range of bottled waters for vending and foodservice applications. Health matters will not go away and indeed are set to increase in coming years, and at Aimia we strive to continually develop products, which are better for you and taste great.