26 Apr 2023 --- As one of the key trends identified by the trade show, numerous exhibitors were showcasing the health aspects of their products, such as sugar-free, gluten-free, high in proteins, fiber-rich, added vitamins or... Read More

05 Apr 2023 --- General Mills is launching new initiatives to support regenerative agriculture across key regions in California and the Northern Great Plains. The strategy will help secure supply for its organic brands and... Read More

09 Mar 2023 --- Indulgence and health are two priorities consumers report seeking in chocolate confectionery. According to the Almond Board of California (ABC), nuts, specifically almonds, can provide even more snacking relevancy... Read More

22 Feb 2023 --- Wellness and sustainability are becoming priorities for consumers, who are increasingly drawn toward dairy or alternative dairy products that claim to be healthier for both the customer and the environment. As the... Read More

12 Jan 2023 --- After heavy rainfall struck California following an extended drought, there was widespread concern for the state’s almond farms, which provide almost 80% of the world’s almond... Read More

24 Apr 2023 --- Harbinder Maan, associate director of Trade Marketing and Stewardship, says "Almonds are the number one inclusion in consumers' ideal chocolate bar," according to the organization's latest consumer survey. The respondents' explained the nuts are natural and allow for "permissible indulgence" to the chocolate bar. Recent nutrition research of the organization focused on gut health and almonds' benefits to the microbiome. 

25 Nov 2019 --- While the plant-based market is growing, it is still very small. This is according to Jacques van Diermen at Anuga 2019, who explains how the street-food trend is now well-known throughout Europe. However, there are some regional challenges for the Netherlands-based company, which has found that its traditional Dutch products such as cookies filled with almond paste do not sell well abroad. Instead, the company has found success with American-style cookies, which are internationally popular.

02 Aug 2019 --- Cosucra continues to strengthen its position in the North American market through their pea protein expansion. At IFT 2019, the company presented a vegetarian plant-based muffuletta slider [a New Orleans classic] containing their Swelite, Pisane M9 and Swelite ingredients as a system. A dairy alternative beverage containing a blend of almond milk and pea protein was also presented, while a chocolate oatmeal gluten-free cookie was another highlight. “Our US-based subsidiary Cosucra Inc. was created about one year ago because demand for plant-based protein is forecast to grow significantly. In the last 12 months, we have positioned our strategy which goes beyond health & nutrition and increasingly looks at the food & beverage business,” Frank Truong at Cosucra says.

30 Jul 2019 --- Agrana presented several concepts featuring oat milk, including a cold brew with an oat milk base, a cinnamon toast cereal and a protein enriched plant-based dairy alternatives, with pea-based, hemp-based solutions. “We are really seeing a lot of movement into oat because of how close it is to milk. If you look at soy, it was further away, but now we are seeing more movement within the almond milk and coconut milk space, with oat milk really emerging as a rising star,” Felicia Francisco at Agrana notes. The company also presented an oat milk with salted caramel, as well as various fruit-containing concepts, including high pressure processed raspberry, peach and mango options.

21 Jun 2019 --- Blue Diamond Growers presented almond protein, which is presented for its plant-based origin and clean taste at IFT 2019. “We have had almond flour in our portfolio for some time, which is great in bakery applications. More recently we have had almond protein powder, which is a partially defatted almond flour, which in some cases is a great way to increase the protein and add fiber as well. It works well in bakery applications and bars,” says Kurt Waananen at Blue Diamond Growers.

29 Mar 2023 --- As consumers look to maximize the value of purchases, manufacturers must consider the motivations that will solidify chocolate products as a permissible indulgence. From new taste and texture experiences to personal wellbeing and planetary health, confectionery product development can answer consumer needs. In this presentation, Lu Ann Williams of Innova Market Insights and Chocolatier Angela Borah discuss how to redefine the value of confectionery products using almond ingredients in innovative and appealing ways. Chocolate category and consumer data, inspirational recipe concepts, and informed tips on ingredient selection and application illustrate a future for chocolate products as consumers continue to navigate lifestyles in flux.

17 Mar 2022 --- Indulgence is an essential element of confectionery products, but how can manufacturers also answer the call for "better for you" chocolate products without compromising on taste and texture? Chocolate category and consumer data from Innova Market Insights and the Almond Board of California indicate multiple ways "better for you" formulations are leading to compelling product claims. View examples of new product development and inspirational recipe concepts that demonstrate how to stay at the cutting edge of the confectionery category.

08 Jul 2021 --- As demand for plant-based, dairy alternative products continues to accelerate worldwide, consumers are focusing on their choices: not only great taste and texture but cleaner, easier-to-understand labels as well. Developing spoonable yogurt alternatives with almond, oat and other plant-based protein sources requires multifunctional ingredient solutions that can address these consumer needs and overcome formulation challenges. In this timely webinar, Innova Market Insights and CP Kelco will share useful insights about the global market for plant-based spoonable yogurts and show how CP Kelco can help you unlock nature-powered success through innovation with its unique portfolio of sustainably sourced and produced ingredients.

28 May 2020 --- The popularity of products that cross the snacking and confectionery categories has grown in recent years, with more and more products featuring a sweet twist alongside healthful ingredients. Additionally, consumers are purchasing indulgent comfort foods to help deliver joy during difficult days of at-home confinement caused by the spread of the coronavirus. The Almond Board of California’s 2018 Global Chocolate survey shows that four out of five global consumers say chocolate is their favorite snack or one of their favorites when they are looking to indulge. Moreover, Innova Market Insights identified hybrids as one of its top ten trends for 2020, evidenced by consumers continuing to enjoy products that offer on-the-go indulgence.

09 Oct 2019 --- Plant-based proteins have the market buzzing, with food and beverage innovations arriving frequently on store shelves. But formulating beverages with alternative protein sources—whether soy, almond, oat, pea or rice – can present challenges, especially in meeting consumers’ expectations for taste, texture and visual appeal. In this timely webinar, Innova Market Insights and CP Kelco share useful insights about the global dairy alternatives market, the key challenges when formulating these products, and how KELCOGEL® Gellan Gum – a nature-based, fermentation-derived ingredient – serves as a unique, multifunctional solution in the product developer’s toolkit.