As consumers become more health-conscious and mindful of where their food comes from, grocers are adapting to meet new demands and preferences.
Cingari Family Markets, a family-owned chain of supermarkets that includes 10 ShopRites and two Grade A Markets serving communities across southwestern Connecticut, recently shared its projections for coming trends — insights and predictions based on what Cinga Family Markets is seeing in the industry in terms of sourcing, consumer interest and market shifts.
Tom Cingari Jr., vice president of produce, floral and e-commerce for Cingari Family Markets, highlighted the following:
- Produce-centric snacking — As snacking trends rise in popularity, grocery retailers are leaning into produce as the star of on-the-go options. Snacks such as seasoned roasted chickpeas, dehydrated beet chips and convenient pre-packaged “snackables” featuring cut exotic fruits like dragon fruit and rambutan will be a big focus.
- Hyperlocalized produce assortment — “We’re seeing consumers who are increasingly prioritizing local and hyperlocal produce options, not only for their freshness but also as a means to support regional farming communities,” Cingari said. Markets are responding by sourcing microgreens, heirloom varieties, and other specialty items from area urban and suburban farms.
- Functional and medicinal fruits and vegetables —Shoppers are looking for produce options with added health benefits, such as high-antioxidant berries, turmeric root and other items marketed for their functional properties. “We’re highlighting these options through in-store education and curated wellness sections,” Cingari said.
The trends signal a continued interest and demand for healthy, convenient snacks, locally sourced options and functional fruits and vegetables that reflect a broader shift toward mindful eating and sustainability, and these are trends retailers can use to adapt and connect with consumers through fresh- produce-driven offerings, according to the company.
