CHICAGO, April 17, 2019—While red meat continues to maintain strong interest among consumers, growing concerns for health and sustainability are having an increasing impact on these staples in Canada, Technomic reveals in the 2019 Canadian Centre of the Plate Consumer Trend Report. The growing popularity of alternative proteins will increasingly encroach on beef and pork’s share of the plate.
“We are seeing a rise in vegetarian or vegan dishes which have primarily impacted beef and pork consumption. But the impact will broaden going forward as plant-based substitutes emerge for other categories,” explains Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “Consumers are far more likely to prepare vegetarian or vegan dishes at home than source them from foodservice, pointing to a gap in menus. While offering just a couple plant-based dishes can minimize veto votes, providing a wider variety of options will help build a loyal following among a growing customer base for plant-based meals or snacks.”
Key takeaways from the report include:
- Consumers consider chicken and seafood to be almost equal in healthfulness with beef and pork being perceived as least healthy
- 35% of chicken consumers prefer to order something more exciting when dining out because they tend to eat chicken at home
- Additive-free health claims are top purchase drivers across all meats
Compiling findings from 1,000 consumer responses, the comprehensive 2019 Canadian Centre of the Plate Consumer Trend Report helps operators and suppliers better understand how consumer patronage, attitudes and preferences toward centre of the plate menu items are evolving and to identify prime opportunity areas.
Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.
Contacts:
Press inquiries and report details: Anne Mills, (312) 506-3867, amills@technomic.com
Purchasing details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, pnoone@technomic.com
About Technomic
Technomic, Inc., a Winsight company, was founded as a management consulting firm in 1966. Since then, Technomic’s services have grown to encompass cloud-based B2B research tools, consumer and menu trend tracking, as well as other leading strategic research and analytic capabilities, to prioritize and size business opportunities. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants, retailers and multiple other business verticals aligned with the food industry that are looking to make informed decisions to support their business growth. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com.
About Winsight LLC
Winsight LLC is a recognized leader in business-to-business media and information services for the convenience-retailing, foodservice and grocery industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio, including five publications: CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Convenience Store Products and Winsight Grocery Business. Winsight also offers a suite of digital products, including websites, e-newsletters, webinars, video products, mobile and tablet apps, and custom marketing solutions. In addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings, Winsight also produces seven exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences: Restaurant Leadership Conference, Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, Outlook Leadership Conference, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC, MenuDirections and Restaurant Directions. In 2015, Winsight acquired Technomic Inc., a provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services for the food industry. For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to www.winsightmedia.com.