The food industry in the US is fairly massive, and is continuing to grow: in 2015, total retail and food service sales in the US amounted to over USD 5.3 trillion, up from 4 trillion ten years prior. With more than 40,000 supermarkets across the country, much of the population has access to a wide variety of food products and services. America is globally known for its old-fashioned, all-American foods like apple pie, ballpark hot dogs, and burgers and fries, but the country’s food and beverage industry is much more diverse than that. The food industry in the US is seeing a rise in the popularity of niche and specialty foods that focus on health, including organic food and vegan food.
The market for fresh food is on the rise in North America, growing at a steady CAGR of roughly 3% until 2021; according to Technavio, the US will account for at least 1% of this growth. Fresh food specifically refers to food that hasn’t undergone any thermal processing or freezing, and includes products like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Fresh food doesn’t contain any preservatives, is typically not treated with pesticides, and is purported by many to have greater health benefits than other food products. This type of food is popular with Americans following organic diets and for those concerned about their overall health.
Additionally, as concerns about obesity and weight continue to rise in the US, more people are opting for fresh foods rather than processed foods. According to the CDC, more than 36.5% of American adults are classified as obese—this is one of the highest obesity rates in the world. To combat this, health institutions and organizations, including the CDC and the WHO, are encouraging the adoption of healthy, fresh diets consisting heavily of produce and healthy, non-processed meats.
The rise in demand for vegan food is also changing the nature of the food industry in the US. Statistics suggest that vegan lifestyles are becoming more mainstream, with a large number of millennials adopting vegan diets for health reasons or as a result of environmental- and animal-related concerns. According to Technavio, more than 30% of people in the US consume vegan or vegetarian meals; though this doesn’t necessarily mean that 30% of people are consistently vegan, it does show that the popularity of vegan food is fairly widespread. This is leading to an increase in the number of vegan products available in the market, especially packaged vegan foods like dairy-free cheese, soy-based spreads, and dairy-free desserts and snacks. A good example that shows just how popular veganism has become in the US is Ben and Jerry’s recent launch of dairy-free vegan ice cream: the seven flavours are stocked in mainstream grocery stores and convenience stores rather than just specialty shops and vegan food locations.
The food industry in the US is turning away, in part, from the fast food and stereotyped staples that it is known for around the world, and is beginning to accommodate specialty diets and the promotion of healthier lifestyles. BizVibe can connect you with thousands of the US’s leading food manufacturers, including those specializing in vegan, fresh and organic foods. Whether your business is into soy milk, bacon and eggs, or all-American apple pie, BizVibe will help you reach out to sales prospects, decision-makers, and other food and beverage companies in the US and across the world.
