Changing consumer demands create opportunities for U.S. food system.

摘要

This paper discusses how, in response to shifts in consumer demands, different sectors of the US food system are competing to identify and provide more processed and higher value-added products. The catering industry has benefited from Americans' desire for convenience. The retail food industry, however, is now responding to the new challenges by offering consumers a variety of processed, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-eat foods. The paper also highlights the following: the rising food marketing costs; the economic and demographic changes affecting away-from-home food demands; the faster growth of full-service restaurants compared to limited-service restaurants; and consumer demands for natural products and more convenient packaging.