Our quest: Spot the latest food trends and find the best new products to bring to our customers
Di Bruno Bros. cheesemongers, merchandisers, designers, and third-generation co-owner Emilio Mignucci spent three glorious
days combing through 60 aisles of specialty foods at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.
Photo credit:
Specialty Food Association
While there were many outstanding items on display, it was easy to identify some obvious (and delicious) trends.
"JUNK FOOD" FOR ADULTS
Perhaps “Junk Food” is a bit unfair, as most of these products are made to healthier standards with natural ingredients, but the
trend of adult-ifying kid’s favorites continued to grow this year.
Popcorn with Sriracha or Rogue River Blue, ice cream flavors like Southern Banana Pudding, Cold Brewed Cinnamon Coffee or Scotch Chocolate, snack bars with flavors like “Noble Rot Rapture Plum Port,” Bourbon Caramels, and even a gourmet Nativity Calendar (from Vosges) are
causing us to reconsider these items typically marketed to children.
FUSION AND INFUSION
Sure, fusion cuisine has been on trend for a while, but
this year flavors were kicked up a notch and ranged from traditional fusion (hybrid of 2 cuisines)
to straight infusion (flavors influenced by one region). Eastern Asian influences continued to dominate, with unique products like carbonated drinking vinegars flavored with yuzu, balsamic and soy sauce blends, and
Sriracha on literally everything. However Middle Eastern flavors also made a bold appearance this year, particularly with spice blends like Za’atar and Dukkah.
NON-GMO IS ALL THE RAGE
This was somewhat predictable,
as GMO transparency is now in high-demand. From popcorn and ice cream to soy sauce and balsamic, the phrase “Non-GMO” was plastered on labels and worked into sales pitches at nearly every stop.
BRINGING THE TRENDS HOME
Our Merchandising Team is in the process of combing through all of the new products we found and choosing the ones we can't live without. Keep your eyes peeled - there's plenty of greatness coming to a Di Bruno Bros. near you.
In the meantime, check out this photo montage of trends selected by the Specialty Food Association themselves.
