Did you know gluten-free products top new product innovations and dollars spent in 2014. Sale of nut and seed butters increased by 51% during 2011-2013. Wines and spirits are making their way into food. These trends indicate that specialty foods are setting innovation standards. See what’s trending in this hottest food category - growing at 4X the mass market. 1. Gluten-Free 2. Nut & Seed Butters 3. Breakfast, Hand-Held 4. One Product Claim 5. Grocery Subscription 6. Bacon 7. Popcorn 8. Fitness Foods & Beverages 9. Maple Flavor 10. Spirits in Food Our insight on ‘Top 10 Trends in Specialty Food: Summer 2014’ were compiled from the trends observed at Summer Fancy Food Show 2014 & the Specialty Food Association’s State of the Specialty Food industry report. For more information contact Rayanne.Zackery@mslgroup.com | Share your feedback with us on twitter @msl_group.

1. 1. Gluten-Free Rules
Innovation and Sales
6. Bacon still sizzling
2. Nut & Seed Butters are
spreading fast
7. popcorn satisfies
top 2 cravings
8. fitness foods and beverages
get creative
4. pick one product claim.
make it local.
9. maple mania outside
the syrup bottle
5. subscribe for groceries
10. spirits spill from
drinks to food
Gluten-free products top 2014 new product
innovations and dollars spent. It’s no surprise
the Summer Fancy Food Show exhibited
hundreds of gluten-free products.
Holy hazelnuts! Sales of nut and seed butters
rose 51% between 2011-2013. Hazelnuts are a
leading ingredient.
3. Breakfast is a hand-held
experience
From bars to burritos, to-go breakfast items
are bourgeoning. Cereal bowl not required.
Focus new products on one claim to stand
out. Retailers report “local” products show the
greatest growth potential.
Shop for groceries at the mailbox.
On the rise are subscription-based mail
and home delivery services.
6. Bacon still sizzling
Though its sizzle may smolder soon, bacon
remains a best-selling flavor and ingredient.
From baked snacks to chocolate bar
inclusions, popcorn innovations offer “health”
and “indulgence”: 2 of the top 4 product
growth opportunities.
Low-calorie, weight loss and nutritious
products fit consumer demand with
creativity, such as oatmeal drinks, flower
water and jalapeno edamame.
Maple flavor is the craze and offers tons
of flavor possibilities. Think Maple Cotton
Candy and Maple Sweet & Sour Mix.
Confectioners, distillers and wine makers
are pairing to infuse and flavor foods. Cheers
to Bourbon Nib Brittle (Gold Award) and
Lavender Chablis Ice Cream.
Top 10 Trends in Specialty Food
Summer 2014
Trends observed at Summer Fancy Food Show 2014 and the Specialty Food Association’s State of the Specialty Food industry report
Specialty foods set innovation standards. See what’s hot in
this hottest food category – growing at 4X the mass market.
By Rayanne Zackery, Vice President, MSLGROUP
MSLGROUP is a global communication and engagement agency that offers a full array of specialized services
to hundreds of food and beverage brands and companies around the world.
MSLGROUP.com