The sale of frozen junk food decreases as vegan food gets the upper hand

The processed, frozen T.V. dinners, which became notoriously an icon of American food culture from the 1960s, are declining as customers begin to grow towards more vegan foods that are convenient, healthy and completely plant-based.

According to data released by Packaged Facts, a leading publisher of market research in food, beverages, packaged consumer goods and more, the market for frozen dinners has steadily declined to a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of around 1 percent between 2012 and the year. The report reports that turnover fell over all years while the volume fell even faster, indicating that frozen products are no longer as attractive as ever for consumers. Compared to meals with animal ingredients, the number of vegetable frozen meals last year grew by 18.4 percent, according to SPINS data.

While the frozen market is worthwhile "impressive" $ 1 billion in retail value, 2018 seems to mark the end of an era because consumers have lost confidence in products, probably as a result of the original, highly processed, sodium-heavy T.V. dinners of the past.

"The frozen food section in a traditional supermarket has been rejected, although the freezing of food is an excellent way to preserve nutrients and freshness." Kelly Swette, CEO and founder of the vegetarian brand Sweet Earth Foods, a brand specializing in vegetable meat and deep-frozen prepared food, told Natural Products Insider.

why drop frozen meal sales?

In addition, grab-and-go options are becoming increasingly popular with consumers as more customers are looking for freshly prepared meals at retail. The large supermarket chain Whole Foods Market in the United States offers a range of freshly prepared meals, such as vegan Ahimi tuna from Ocean Hugger Foods and meals from regional brands. Affordable supermarket chain Trader Joe & # 39; s, Aldi and other chains are also working to expand their & # 39; grab-and-go & # 39; vegetable meal options.

Another driving factor in the decline of frozen products are new food service innovations in the technical space with which consumers can easily order fresh food and takeaway meals. Moreover, meal packages are on the rise, driven by the trend of younger consumers who want to cook at home more often. Veestro and Purple Carrot are among the most dominant in the American market for vegan meal costs, but many omnivorous brands such as Green Chef, FreshRealm, Sun Basket and others offer plant-based options.

vegan frozen entrées in advance

Replacing yesterday's processed frozen meals is a new wave of frozen meals that emphasize natural, often organic ingredients that respond to the increasing interest in & # 39; better for you & # 39; food. The organic deep-frozen food brand Amy's Kitchen, although not vegan, has introduced more vegetable meals in recent years. Sweet Earth Foods, another vegetarian brand, now offers a vegan pizza and other vegetable main dishes. Vegan companies, such as The Jackfruit Company, have developed vegan meals made with jackfruit meat, and omnivorous brands such as Wildscape are launching vegan options to capture consumer demand.

Concerns regarding health, the environment and animal welfare all determine the rapid growth of the vegan frozen food market.

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Image Credit: Amy & # 39; s Kitchen