Artisan baking is on the rise. Take that as a pun if you wish, but the fact is the industry is trending toward artisan (that is, handmade) baking. Instinctively, when someone hears a bakery exclusively creates handmade bread, it’s safe to assume the bread tastes and is better than machine-made bread.

In fact, “artisan” has come to mean “quality” in many customers’ minds. Bakers are earning reputations as craftsmen with their artisan creations, and even national franchises and grocery chains are marketing artisan products.

And that’s why the quality of artisan baking ingredients is so vital. When customers come in expecting quality handmade bakery products, the proprietor needs to deliver. Without the best artisan bread flours, baking supplies and ingredients, customers can leave disappointed, and that’s not good for anybody.

Artisan Bakery Bread

The Beautiful Aroma of Artisan Baking
Customers want old-world bread and bakeries want to give it to them. Talk to the owners and bakers at any artisan bakery, and they’ll tell you the most important part is the ingredients. Whole grain flours, sugar, shortening, fillings and toppings—everything a baker may need for bread, pastries and other items—have to be the best.

When customers open the door to a bakery and are engulfed by the appetizing smell of fresh, handmade bread, the saliva glands work extra hard. Everything looks good. It’s the aroma, the aura and the history of artisan products that make the perception of quality so strong.

In order to keep that perception where it belongs, especially as it continues to permeate the mainstream, artisan baking supplies and artisan baking ingredients need to be the best.

What’s your favorite artisan bakery? Can you name one or two? Now think about why it’s your favorite. We’re willing to bet it comes down to the ingredients.

What’s new in the food industry? What’s getting more popular? What’s falling off? Food manufacturers, food processors and everyone within the industry is taking a look at the Global Food Industry Survey 2013-2014: Market Trends, Buyer Spend and Procurement Strategies in the Global Food Industry

The report names the top three expected trends in 2013: health and wellness, convenience, and local products.

Health and Wellness
These categories are not surprising. Consumers are always looking for healthier foods and snacks, although they’re usually not willing to sacrifice taste for it. As food manufacturers continue to move toward higher quality ingredients, that formerly impossible dichotomy is becoming realistic.

Snacks and other foods can now be manufactured with the taste consumers love while eliminating harmful ingredients and using other ingredients of the utmost quality.

Convenience
As mentioned, despite the desire for healthier foods, consumers aren’t usually willing to sacrifice taste. That leads us to convenience. People want easy-to-get, easy-to-consume food with health benefits.

Food manufacturers are seeing these trends and working toward giving consumers more of what they want: convenient, healthy food.

Local Products
The third trend, local products, has been brewing for a while also. Consumers want to know their food is being grown, produced and manufactured within their area. There’s an element of trust that goes with local foods.

Optimism Abound
The report details the majority of companies are “more optimistic” about revenue growth in 2013. Identifying and adapting to market trends has always been important in the food industry, so to see so many companies projecting revenue growth is encouraging.

How can we help you keep up with trends and gain the trust of your customers?