The market for vegetarian foods is flourishing. ConAgra, Heinz, Kellogg, Kraft, and Unilever have been busily vying for a share of the vegetarian food market through acquisitions and alliances.
Manufacturers are raising the bar on the quality and selection of vegetarian food products offered. Flavor technologists are working to bring out new flavor profiles exclusively for vegetarian foods. Advances in texturizing technology are helping meat alternatives gain wider acceptance. Restaurants have increased the number of vegetarian dishes on their menus.
Moderator Comment: What do mainstream retailers need to do to convince dedicated vegetarians and natural healthniks that they are a viable source for these products?
One way they don't do it is by stocking Sunny Delight and similar beverages in their natural foods refrigerated section. Think we're kidding? If you're ever in Garwood, N.J., go to the refrigerated case located in the Nature's Path section of the Pathmark there. A sign just above these juice drink products will tell you that if you want Silk Soy Milk you need to go to another part of the store. It has been that way for six weeks at last count. [George Anderson - Moderator]