Convenience - more than just convenient

The market for ready meals and convenience food is diverse. It offers great potential for manufacturers. Between food trends, customer needs and a spirit of innovation, the topic moves the food industry.

Convenience in change

Trends have an impact on our eating habits. Looking back: In Germany in the 50s, Italy was considered a destination of longing, holidays in Italy were booming. The first convenience dish in Germany was ravioli with tomato sauce in stores at the end of the 1950s.

The image of convenience food as a vitamin- and nutrient-poor fattening food with unhealthy fats and additives as well as too much salt and calories is no longer up to date. Convenience is changing, following the nutritional trends and needs of consumers .

Food Trends

Where is the trend heading? What are consumers looking for when it comes to nutrition? When it comes to food and its packaging, sustainability is still an issue. Regional products, preferably in organic quality, are in line with the spirit of the times.

Many people want to eat with a clear conscience towards health, animals and the environment. A plant-based diet with fewer animal products is in demand.

However, the costs must not be ignored. What ends up in the shopping cart is also decided by the price .

Topics such as vitality, well-being and health also play a role in purchasing decisions. The focus is on fat and salt reduction as well as products with an optimal Nutri-Score. People want to eat what is beneficial to their health and does not harm them.

Producing ready-meals

For manufacturers, there is potential and exciting opportunities in the convenience food and ready-meals sector. In Europe in particular, the development of ready-meals is currently being strongly promoted. It always pays to focus on a growing market.

Many variations

The convenience food market is a broad field. The dishes differ greatly from each other in terms of quality, the ingredients and nutritional values. The degree of processing also varies from kitchen-ready, ready to cook, ready to prepare and regenerate, to ready to eat.

For a wide range of target groups

In the convenience segment, there is the opportunity to target different groups of buyers.

On the one hand through the price, on the other hand by focusing on special diets, such as:

vegan
vegetarian
allergen-free
calorie-conscious
etc.

Convenience levels

kitchen-ready: cleaned and cut foods that need to be seasoned and processed
Ready-to-cook: prepared and seasoned foods that need to be cooked
ready to be processed: fix products that need to be mixed with other ingredients and cooked
Ready to regenerate: Foods that need to be reheated
ready-to-eat: food that is consumed directly in this way

For microwave, oven & co.

Hectic days, busy schedules and stressful everyday life – we often all lack the time and desire to cook for ourselves. If you want to get full quickly, you like to use ready-made meals that can be quickly heated in the microwave, oven or pan. They are a practical solution to get full quickly and tastily.

Saving time is one of the main reasons to choose convenience food. Consumers also keep an eye on the list of ingredients, because health claims on the packaging influence the decision to reach for a product.

Simple, "clean" ingredients are in demand. Short, clear claims should visibly summarise these benefits that are relevant to customers.

Flavor should be varied. International cuisines with spices and flavors from all over the world can then be combined with regional ingredients.

Ready-meals with meat

Ready-meals with fish

Ready-meals vegan

Soups & stews

Pizza & doughs

Vegetables & potatoes

Pasta & rice

Dumplings

Deli salads

Deli spreads

Create convenience food with NovaTaste

At NovaTaste you are in the right place if you produce convenience food and ready-made meals. We have everything for the perfect taste, functionality and texture , as well as special technologies for the production of ready meals of all variations. We support you in the development of products from the idea to the finished end product.

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