Epicor: 10 trends transforming food and beverage manufacturers
The leading software company, Epicor, has released 10 trends that food and beverage manufacturing businesses should follow. Supply Chain Digital takes a closer look.
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Buy local
With customers demanding fresher food with a smaller carbon footprint, it’s important to adapt and limit the distance food travels by sourcing local ingredients.
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Zero-waste
Consumers are caring for the environment by reducing single-use straws, water bottles and takeaway coffee cups. Epicor recommends that sustainable product packaging is used to minimize waste.
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Meat-free
With animal welfare concerns causing people to limit their meat and dairy intakes in their diets, there is an importance to use gentler meat and dairy production practices.
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Food waste
With over 10mn tonnes of food wasted in the UK annually, it is becoming essential to companies that there is clearer product labelling and food wastage is tracked.
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Mindful eating
Educating shoppers on the necessary steps to assure safety and quality in the ethical status and traceability of their food is key.
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Instagram-able meals
Through the use of social media, celebrities and influencers can create a demand for products overnight. This means that staying on top of the latest trends and monitoring your supply chain is critical in case ingredients accelerates in popularity.
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Free-from food
UK sales of food free from ingredients such as dairy, nuts and gluten rose by £230mn ($295mn) in 2017. It is advised that special diets are created to make it easier for customers. Epicor also recommends that free-from options are clearly marked and production lines are free from cross-contamination.
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Healthy dieting
Diets such as keto and paleo created new markets for innovative products such as protein balls. It is recommended to source natural, local and diet-friendly ingredients for products. It is worth keeping an eye on food substitutions that could affect businesses’ supply chains.
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Going global
By observing what is popular worldwide, it could be worth trialling new flavours from around the world and adding them to recipes.
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Faster food
Offer pre-made meals that helps shoppers to quickly prepare a healthy meal. With people working longer hours and having less time to cook, consumers are in need of quicker options.
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