Traditional meal structures are under pressure. As consumers balance time, cost and competing needs, they’re assembling foods and beverages from a portfolio of solutions—including whole ingredients, center-store shortcuts, frozen and fresh prepared foods and foodservice. But amidst this cultural reframing, food and beverage companies have the opportunity to view meals through a different lens: needs they fulfill vs. the dayparts they occupy.
Meals 2026 will provide a multidimensional and systematic view of evolving mealtime habits. These insights will help your team:
- Identify growth opportunities by need state
- Defend against occasion erosion (to snacks)
- Optimize portfolio and positioning
- Strengthen value messaging in a high-cost environment
Align innovation efforts with real consumer needs, aspirations and constraints