Food Forward is Griffith Foods’ proactive campaign that focuses on sharing timely, relevant, and inspiring topics that bring value to our customers and consumers.
Anticipating Trends. Activating Solutions.
What is Plant Forward?
Understanding consumer behavior requires clear definitions across the plant-based spectrum:
Plant Forward: A style of cooking and eating that emphasizes and celebrates—but is not limited to—plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, plant oils, and herbs. It reflects evidence-based principles of health and sustainability. Also referred to as plant-rich or flexitarian, this dietary pattern may include foods from animal sources, but in reduced quantities and less frequently.
Plant-Based: Refers directly to ingredients and whole foods sourced from plants, or dietary patterns made up exclusively of these foods.
Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (PBMAs): Foods engineered to mimic the taste, texture, and appearance of traditional meat using plant ingredients like soy, pea protein, or mycoprotein combined with binders, oils, and natural flavors.
Animal Protein & Meat: Meat refers to red meat and poultry, while animal protein encompasses red meat, poultry, fish, seafood, dairy, and eggs.
Plant Forward Market Overview
While 75% of global consumers follow no strict diet, adoption is driven by everyday flexitarian habits: 52% of non-dietary consumers eat plant-based meat alternatives weekly, and 37% order mixed meat/plant dishes when dining out (+6% vs. 2023). Gen Z (22%) and Millennials (21%) drive alternative protein demand, whereas Boomers focus on whole foods, with 58% regularly consuming legumes.
Consumer Expectations & Challenges
Consumers are moving away from highly processed imitations in favor of standalone plant-forward offerings that highlight natural ingredients.
Standalone Quality: 55% of consumers globally agree plant-based options should be standalone products celebrating natural plant attributes rather than direct meat imitations.
Core Drivers: Health and wellness leads consumer perception (31% healthy for body, 30% rich in fiber, 27% lighter to digest), followed by animal welfare (31%) and environmental benefits (30%).
Taste & Flavor Barriers: Sensory expectations remain the primary hurdle preventing plant-based items from competing fully with conventional options.
Price & Satiety Constraints: Higher costs relative to conventional proteins restrict frequent purchasing, while perceived lack of fullness impacts repeat adoption.
Strategic Plant Forward Market Drivers
1. Whole Food Transparency & Clear Ingredients Shoppers are most comfortable converting consideration into purchase when dishes feature recognizable, whole food ingredients like legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
2. Flavor-First Authenticity Taste remains the top barrier to recurring purchases. Success lies in leveraging familiar flavors, global culinary traditions, and modern twists rather than expecting consumers to compromise on sensory enjoyment.
3. Accessible Hybrid Solutions Integrating meat and plant proteins into a single dish allows consumers to moderate meat intake without giving up familiar dining experiences. Blending plants into animal protein formats creates approachable, nutritious, and cost-effective menu solutions.
4. Low-Risk Trial Occasions Providing lower-risk trial opportunities—such as appetizers, small plates, and happy hour specials—helps consumers explore plant forward choices in foodservice settings.
Griffith Foods Plant Forward System Solutions
Unlocking the potential of plant forward eating requires overcoming technical challenges like flavor masking, texture optimization, and nutrient density. We combine global consumer insights with deep culinary and food science expertise to create complete systems for retail and foodservice:
Custom Seasonings & Flavor Systems: Elevating natural plant ingredients with umami-rich seasonings, authentic global spice blends, and masking technologies.
Texture & Coating Technologies: Delivering crispiness, succulence, and mouthfeel through advanced binder systems, batters, and stay-crisp breadings.
Sauces, Glazes & Dressings: Creating craveable finishing glazes, marinades, and topical sauces that add bold culinary expression to grains, legumes, and vegetable builds.
Culinary Concepts
Versaterra Corn Fritter
Crispy golden cakes inspired by classic crab cakes, combining crab cake seasoned plant-based protein and sweet corn with vibrant elote-style seasoning for a savory, zesty finish.
Griffith Foods™ Versaterra Long, Corn Fitter Dough TBD, Elote Type Seasoning 1385503
Crispy Cowboy Butter Brussels Sprouts with Bacon Bits
Crispy Brussels sprouts bursting with buttery garlic herb flavor, kissed with spice, and topped with smoky, crunchy Versaterra bacon bits.
Griffith Foods™ Cowboy Butter Seasoning, Versaterra Shredded
Cauliflower Steaks with Chimichurri Flavor Glaze
Fire-grilled cauliflower steaks finished with a bright, herbaceous chimichurri glaze that brings together fresh herbs, zesty notes, and smoky charred flavor.
Griffith Foods™ Chimichurri Flavor Glaze
Why Partner with Griffith Foods?
Partnering with Griffith Foods means gaining a dedicated collaborator committed to driving purpose-driven growth and shaping the future of food. Our cross-functional approach seamlessly integrates deep consumer insights, category expertise, culinary artistry, and R&D to ensure your products stay ahead of evolving market demands. Driven by real-time proprietary data from global consumer and flavor research, we develop custom solutions backed by robust consumer understanding.
From functional binders and raw material texturizers to craveable seasonings, topical glazes, and specialized coatings, our end-to-end capabilities empower your brand to deliver delicious, nutritious, and sustainable plant forward products that resonate with today’s consumers.
Contact our innovation team today to start building your next breakthrough plant forward solution.
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