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Sunday 24 June 2018

Food Companies Can’t Figure Out What We Want to Eat !

Many of us have made changes to our food choices, what we buy, what we eat. Sometimes it is health matters that dictate the change, sometimes it is personal choice. When out shopping we each go out with our shopping list, of course, if you shop online your list is on the computer screen!

Since husband Eddie was diagnosed a Type 2 diabetic many of the foods we eat are pictured below, and he writes about it here


I wonder if your food choices may have changed? Aaron Black writing in the Wall Street Journal says, "Food Companies Can’t Figure Out What Americans Want to Eat". It could be the same in the UK, Canada, France, Sweden, Germany, Australia, and perhaps your own country too! 

"Food shoppers and investors looking at the packaged food aisles of big grocery stores have reached the same conclusion: There is nothing to buy.

The classic consumer food companies—makers of cereals, snacks, soups and condiments—are no longer the staples of pantries or portfolios. Shares of some are down by a third or more over the past year as strategies to boost sales fail, and consumers embrace fresh food and new brands.

Supermarkets are feeling the same pressure. Last year, unit volume of the packaged products sold in the middle aisles fell by 1.7%, according to research firm Nielsen. The only places where there was unit sales growth of groceries were in the outer aisles: fresh meat, produce, and bakery, according to Nielsen.

That is of little consolation to investors, who can’t easily profit from raising grass-fed beef or growing kale. Comparable sales for 10 big, publicly traded food companies have been flat or declined in three of the last four years, according to analysts at Credit Suisse. 

The Food Bust
Packaged food companies have seen a dramatic slowdown. Consumers are shifting toward fresh produce and meat, and away from packaged foods heavy on carbohydrates and sugar"

Read more of Aaron's article here 

All the best Jan

24 comments:

Margie from Toronto said...

Friends and I were just speaking about this yesterday. More and more I just shop the outer aisles - produce, meat & fish, dairy - the middle aisles are for items like olive oil or teabags. I have rice and pasta in the pantry but haven't used either in cooking for at least a couple of months now. I'm not throwing these out as I will use them occasionally - but these are now kept in the pantry cupboard and not in the kitchen cupboards for every day use. When you actually take the time to read those labels the amount of salt & sugar in most items is shocking! Thank you for the article.

Pam said...

I love a good fresh fruit or veggie but I tend to buy and not eat fast enough. I buy thinking I will cook this or that and then I never do....yikes. I waste so much. Thank goodness for a banana eating cat, she loves to share those with me! haha

Valerie-Jael said...

This sounds very encouraging, perhaps more people are making healthy choices. Hugs, Valerie

eileeninmd said...

Hello, more people are eating healthier and reading the labels. Fresh fish, fruits and veggies are the best choices. I would like if they would stop putting candy right near the cashier. Thanks for the info. Happy Sunday, enjoy your day and the new week ahead!

Christine said...

We try to watch our carbs these days especially as my husband is type 2 diabetic and it runs in my family too.

riitta k said...

I buy only fresh products. Have not eaten pasta for years, cooked potatoes and rice ocassionally. No wheat products. Rye bred, it is the Finnish custom :) Oat is ok.

Elephant's Child said...

I much prefer to know what I am eating. So fresh is emphatically best for me.

only slightly confused said...

We buy very little from the middle of the grocery store....the bulk of our shopping is on the perimeter, produce, dairy, meat, fish very little else.

Bob Bushell said...

Good sayingJan, mine is a vege, and it is hard work, but it worth everything is precious.

JFM said...

Hubby is Type 2 diabetic...we eat more fresh foods and way less packaged food. It has worked for us. He went from five shots a day to one pill!!!

Karen said...

Very true. So much of what is in the grocery store is empty carbs.

Sandra Cox said...

Other than oat meal, I haven't had a bowl of cereal in years and it used to be a staple for me.
Happy Sunday.

Chris Lally said...

For me, supermarkets are good for buying toilet paper and that's about it.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Our eating habits are past down form one generation to anther.
Although though education we do have a chance or choice to change.
As for stores I would think it would be easier to stock items do to computer.
Coffee is on

Debbie said...

i agree that we are all eating healthier foods, and are more food aware. i still eat pasta and bread even though i know i probably should not!!! i love fresh fruits and raw vegetables, even when i cook vegetables i only cook them a little!!!

Margaret D said...

Rarely buy packaged food, never did really.
Always fresh veggies, meat and fish for us..

Linda said...

That's good news! Fresh food is best!

Sami said...

I tend to not buy too many packaged items either, it's mainly fresh produce.

Teresa said...

Las verduras me encantan, también el pescado. Saludos.

Iris Flavia said...

Fresh produce here very often either isn´t ripe (mango/avocado...) or way over it´s time, it´s really annoying.
There is no fresh butcher nearby, either.
I don´t mind the latter, I have time and health to walk, but what about others who have a lack of one or both! You should think these days this should be easier!

Snowbird said...

I always buy fresh food, but prefer to grow my own whenever possible. Food trends are certainly changing, there are so many special diets now, companies are scrabbling around trying to keep up!xxx

William Kendall said...

Frankly investors should be the least consideration in the equation.

I haven't had cereal in years, and wouldn't care less if I ever have it again.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We buy fresh as much as possible, but what passes for fresh in the supermarkets is often anything but. At this time of the year it is quite easy to buy fresh, locally grown produce, but in the dead of winter anything in the stores has been brought in from somewhere else.

Magic Love Crow said...

Excellent news!