NEW YORK — Hundreds of specialty food and beverage makers showcased more than 10,000 new products during the Specialty Food Live! virtual event, held Jan. 19-22 by the Specialty Food Association.
Innovation focused on rising trends like plant-based products, functional foods, snacks, and restaurant-quality food at home.
“COVID-19 has a massive impact on trend predictions heading into 2021, as consumers cook and eat at home more, turning to everyday meals and special treats to comfort and support their mental and physical well-being,” said Denise Purcell, director of content for the Specialty Food Association. “We’re seeing several trends around experimenting with flavors and ingredients, as well as turning to functional or plant-based foods and twists on classic products to avoid menu fatigue.”
