New influences, trends and preferences are redirecting many bakers to develop and produce new products. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is still a critical issue, as are commodities, private-label products and many business consolidations. Still, bakers are managing to rise to the occasion, and please customers and consumers with products that answer the call of exciting food trends.
Welcome to our State of the Industry issue on the bakery market. From all of the data we’ve gathered, this year, as in the past, the market continues to have its ups and downs. While bread and baked goods can sometimes be taken for granted by restaurateurs, foodservice owners, marketers and retailers, bakery items mean a lot to consumers and carry the clout of tradition, family ownership, pride and other powerful messages. Innovators are listening to consumers and customers alike, and turning the tides toward top-quality, healthful, handy and “free-from” (gluten- and allergy-free) product introductions and line extensions.