Year: 2024

E-commerce Photography that Converts – Foodbevy


When it comes to e-commerce, every photo on your product page matters. A great image does more than just show a product; it conveys quality, sparks desire, and builds trust. Each photo should align with a specific reason why a customer would want to buy it.

I’m Carrington, an ecommerce product photographer specializing in creating imagery that increases sales and helps brands find their “ooo” factor. Let’s break down how to turn website viewers into buyers.

Designing Photos That Sell

Align with Customer’s Reason to Buy

Understanding what motivates your customers is crucial for creating effective product images. Are they looking for taste, health benefits, convenience, or a mix of these? Tailor your photos to highlight these motivations.

For example, if you’re selling an energy bar, show off the natural ingredients, texture, and health benefits like high protein or fiber. Addressing these reasons directly makes the purchase decision easier.

Some common motivations behind purchasing new products is that the product solves a problem in the customers life and can improve their quality of life. Often this can be a result of innovation, desire, or social status.

You can use imagery to inspire your customer to live a life with your product and benefit from it at the same time.

Highlighting Unique Selling Points

Your product’s unique selling points (USPs) make it stand out. These should be front and center in your photos and on your packaging. If your product is gluten-free or packed with antioxidants, make sure this is clear. For instance, a close-up shot of an energy bar’s ingredients or a cross-section can effectively showcase these features. Highlighting what makes your product unique gives buyers a clear reason to choose it.

Highlighting the unique selling points of your product is all about education. How do you educate your customer in your imagery so they can learn faster, stay inspired, and be driven to buy without getting stuck in the cart.

Trust and Transparency: Boost Conversion Rates – Reduce Return Rates

High-quality images foster trust and transparency, which are crucial for online shoppers who cannot physically touch or see the product before purchasing. Clear, detailed photos help set accurate expectations and reduce uncertainty.

This transparency can also lead to lower return rates, as customers are less likely to feel misled by the product’s appearance.

For example, showing the actual energy bar next to the packaging can give customers a better idea of what to expect and what is inside the packaging. By presenting your products honestly and attractively, you build a trustworthy brand image that encourages repeat purchases.

By ensuring each photo is purposeful and aligned with the reasons to buy, you can significantly boost your conversion rates. In the following sections, we’ll explore the technical and creative aspects of photo composition, product photography, and lifestyle photography, each contributing to a compelling visual strategy.

Product Photography

Showcasing Packaging

The packaging of your food or beverage product is the first thing customers see, and it plays a significant role in their purchasing decision.

Ensure your images clearly display the packaging from multiple angles. Highlight the brand name, logo, and any unique features or designs that set your product apart.

If your packaging includes important information like nutritional facts or ingredients, consider including close-up shots of these details to help build trust and transparency.

Highlighting the Actual Product

Customers want to see what they’re buying, so it’s essential to include photos of the actual food or beverage outside of its packaging.

This can involve pouring a drink into a glass or arranging food items on a plate. These images should make the product look as appetizing as possible, focusing on textures, colors, and presentation. Use good lighting to highlight the freshness and quality of your product.

Pack-Size and Quantity Per Order

Clear communication about the quantity and pack size is crucial. Include images that show the product in its various available pack sizes.

For example, if you’re selling a six-pack of beverages, show the six-pack as well as individual bottles. This helps customers understand exactly what they are getting and can reduce the likelihood of returns due to misunderstandings about product size.

The more you can educate your customer through imagery – the less they have to read & research and the visual holds a longer time in the customers memory. So when the product is received, they visually already know what to expect.

Flavor Differences

If your product comes in multiple flavors, ensure each flavor is represented with its own set of images.

Highlight the differences in packaging and, if possible, show the actual product for each flavor.

For example, if you sell flavored sparkling water, show each flavor with distinct packaging and a glass of the beverage to highlight color differences.

This not only helps customers make informed choices but also encourages them to try multiple flavors.

Editing and Retouching

Post-processing your product photos is important for achieving a polished and professional look. Use photo editing software to adjust brightness, contrast, and color balance.

Ensure that the product’s colors are represented accurately to avoid misleading customers.

Retouching can also help remove any minor imperfections in the photo, but be careful not to alter the product’s appearance in a way that could mislead customers.

Lifestyle Photography

Contextual Usage

Showcasing your food or beverage product in real world situations is a powerful way to help customers visualize using the product.

For example, photograph a breakfast cereal being poured into a bowl on a beautifully set breakfast table, or a bottle of wine being enjoyed at a cozy dinner party.

These images help customers imagine themselves enjoying the product, making it more relatable and desirable. Use props that complement the product and create a cohesive scene without overwhelming the main focus.

Emotional Appeal

Lifestyle photography is all about evoking emotions and telling a story. Capture moments that resonate with your target audience’s aspirations and lifestyles.

For instance, show a family enjoying a picnic with your beverage, or friends gathering around a table filled with your food products. The goal is to evoke positive feelings that encourage customers to buy.

Complementary Products

Including complementary products in your lifestyle shots can inspire cross-selling and provide a fuller picture of how your product can be used.

For example, if you’re selling pasta sauce, show it being used in a delicious pasta dish alongside fresh ingredients like tomatoes and basil. This not only enhances the appeal of the main product but also suggests other products that customers might purchase to complete the experience.

Seasonal and Thematic Shots

Seasonal and thematic photography can make your product more relevant and boost sales during specific times of the year. Capture images that align with holidays, seasons, or events.

For example, show your beverage product at a summer barbecue or your baked goods at a festive holiday gathering. These themed images can be used in marketing campaigns to attract customers looking for products that fit their seasonal needs.

Natural and Relatable Settings

While it’s important to create visually appealing images, they should also feel natural and relatable. Overly staged photos can sometimes appear artificial and disconnect with the customer. Aim for authenticity by choosing real-life settings and scenarios. This approach helps in building trust and makes your product seem more accessible and appealing.

Wrap Up

Choosing your e-commerce photography should obviously showcase your great product, but do so in a way that explains what the product is, how to use it, and why someone should buy. Each photo should compliment any text that goes along with it.

Need help improving your e-commerce photography?

Carrington with Prospect Street Studio knows how to take product photography that encourages customers to take action and buy. She has flexible options designed to work with emerging brands. Request an introduction today for your next photoshoot and save with an exclusive Foodbevy Discount.

Not sure if you’re ready or what your next step is? Book a free image strategy session with Carrington to learn how you can use photography as a sales tool.



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Grainwell Puffed Grains starts production in Iowa



DYERSVILLE, IOWA — Grainwell Puffed Grains, previously known as Ancient Brands, has begun puffed grain production at its 105,000-square-foot plant in Dyersville, Iowa. Grainwell claims the multi-line Dyersville plant is the only controlled-puffing facility in North America as well as the world’s largest.

The company said it uses a controlled Cerex puffing technology, combined with its Grainwell Way methodology, to carry out “precise puffing at scale” that “is more sustainable than other puffing methods.”

“Our closed, continuous batch process tightly controls every aspect of the complex puffing process, enabling calibration of the grain color, texture, size, moisture content, and flavor profile,” said Dylan Kollasch, PhD, and vice president of innovation and product development. “Our process is up to 95% efficient, compared to an industry average of less than 70%. We create less waste and use less water and energy to create a superior product. Many of our grain and legume capabilities are simply not possible with traditional puffing methodologies.”

Grainwell provides samples and development support to food companies’ R&D, product development, and food science teams on a wide array of components for creating new products and enhancing existing offerings. The company said it also has established a leading position in brand name, uncoated puffed grain cereals, claiming over 80% of the production in the growing category.

“What’s old … is what’s new,” said Chris Bekermeier, vice president of sales and marketing. “Puffed ancient grains such as amaranth, quinoa, and Kamut are being rediscovered. Puffed grains are single-ingredient, clean label, non-GMO, wholesome sources of nutrition, in foods including cereals, baked goods, bars, snacks, as well as a RTE snack. These grains taste amazing. Few ingredients can make these claims.”

Grainwell Puffed Grains broke ground on the Dyersville location in October 2022. The company earlier that year had said it planned to invest $26.5 million to relocate and expand its puffed grains capacity in Dyersville.

“Our new name better reflects our unique capabilities and marketplace value,” said Wolfgang Buehler, chief executive officer of Grainwell. “Better-for-you foods continue to gain market share globally. Puffed ancient and contemporary grains, produced properly, bring huge potential to create innovative new products and improve existing ones. Our team works with brands’ R&D, food science, and product marketing people to tailor puffed grain and legume solutions that open possibilities for innovative products and improve existing ones.”

Prior to joining Grainwell, Buehler had been the owner and CEO of Organic Milling in San Dimas, Calif., for a decade. It was during his time at Organic Milling that Buehler said he realized the need in the marketplace for improved puffed grain solutions. He became an investor in Grainwell (then known as Ancient Brands) in 2020, and by 2022 was the majority owner.

Founded in 2020, Grainwell Puffed Grains’ focus is leveraging technology to craft superior puffed grains and legumes that meet the evolving needs of global and emergent food brands. Current and future puffed grains include spelt, amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, khorasan, Kamut, sorghum, and more.



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Daniel Robert joins We R Food Safety team



We R Food Safety is bringing on Daniel Robert to its team as a consultant.

Daniel grew up in a family-owned meat processing business founded in 1918 by his great grandfather A.B. Robert. Daniel attended Louisiana State University and University of Missouri in food/meat science.  Daniel accepted a position with USDA FSIS in Los Angeles, transferring back to Louisiana after his training. He later accepted a position with a USDA meat grading and certification branch.

Daniel has 25 years of federal service. After retiring from federal service, he worked in multiple meat facilities, helping them develop innovative products. Daniel’s tenure has taken him to over 700 federal and state meat plants across the nation.  

Daniel is active in FFA and 4-H, judging country ham shows and carcass evaluation. Daniel has been an active member of the American Association of Meat Processors and has won several state and national awards for excellence in cured meat and sausage.   

His has a great depth of knowledge in new product development, processing, and how to make money in the meat and poultry industry. He brings a wealth of knowledge to We R Food Safety’s clients and is available to consult on every aspect of the meat and poultry industry.

Source: We R Food Safety



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Posted on Author Categories Protein

Improving Food Safety and Packaging Machine Reliability


Food packaging plays an essential role in preserving product quality, enhancing convenience and promoting brand identification.

The rapid emergence of COVID dramatically altered the food-packaging landscape, bringing new demands for single-serve packaging, aseptic materials, e-commerce-friendly packaging and more. As packaging has become significantly more complex and consumers more demanding, the need has only grown for strict hygienic procedures to ensure food safety, from the factory to the retail shelf to the table.

Jiri Duron is a senior product manager at Kollmorgen, where he’s been a key contributor since 2007. With a master’s degree in electrical engineering, Duron previously led the innovation engineering team, driving significant projects and product advancements.

Stricter Regulations and More Rigorous Cleaning Threaten Productivity

Food safety is regulated by the FDA in the U.S. and by the EFSA in the European Union. Other regions and countries have similar regulatory regimes. Over time, these regulations have become increasingly strict as governments respond to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. For example, in the U.S., the Food Safety Modernization Act mandates a comprehensive range of preventive measures, inspections, tests and responses to violations and outbreaks of disease.

The threat of mandatory recalls, detention of products and suspension of facility registration pose a considerable risk to the profitability of food packaging operations. Manufacturers need to respond by enhancing the procedures for cleaning their food processing and packaging machines. Yet more rigorous cleaning can also threaten profitability, as frequent, high-pressure and high-temperature washdowns can mean substantial downtime and an unacceptable risk of costly equipment damage.

Meeting Food Safety Requirements While Maximizing OEE

To help food processors and packagers compete effectively while ensuring a safe food supply, machine OEMs need to rethink their designs at both the architectural and component level to simplify cleaning while maximizing overall equipment effectiveness.

For example, because motors are susceptible to damage due to water ingress, older machine designs often require shields or bags to protect motors during washdown, with the motors cleaned by hand in a separate operation. This increases the risk of inadequate cleaning, and the time-consuming bother of installing shields or bags can tempt cleaning crews to take shortcuts that compromise product safety and equipment reliability.

Clean-in-place designs feature fixed or dynamic spray devices that pump cleaning solutions throughout the machine and then rinse with minimal need for equipment disassembly and reassembly. Modular systems allow a production line to split into easily cleanable modules without the need to reconfigure equipment or to disconnect and reconnect cables.

Both architectures accelerate the cleaning process to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. But neither solves the problem of protecting motors from washdown damage.

Either shields or bags must be installed and removed to hand-clean motors separately, or else there needs to be a way to wash motors down directly without damaging them. In all cases, it’s essential to use motors that won’t corrode or shed paint chips, as these issues can contaminate food directly or create an environment that harbors pathogens.

It’s also important to select motors that work with the control systems commonly used in the food processing and packaging industry to simplify machine design and avoid supplier lock-in.

To help food processors and packagers compete effectively while ensuring a safe food supply, machine OEMs need to rethink their designs at both the architectural and component level to simplify cleaning while maximizing overall equipment effectiveness.

Companies like Kollmorgen offer hygienic and washdown-ready motors that meet all these criteria. Some common application examples include:

Auger fillers

Auger filling machines are typically used for packaging flour, sugar, coffee, drink mixes and other dry powders, granules and particulates. The ability to purge lines and clean these machines in place is a significant advantage, especially for food packagers that handle several different products and wish to maximize productivity through rapid changeover.

These machines vary greatly in size and benefit from the simplicity, light weight and space savings of direct drive motion, eliminating the need for a gearbox. Kollmorgen, for example, offers several motor solutions that meet these needs, like stainless steel AKMH hygienic servo motors that are available in 19 standard sizes with multiple winding options.

Bottle filling machines

The machines that fill, cap and label beverage bottles are typically very large. The filling speed of each individual bottle is limited by the quantity and properties of the fluid—bottles must not be filled too fast. At the same time, production targets for beverage manufacturing are often very high, so these machines need the ability to handle and fill many bottles simultaneously.

In these large, multi-axis machines, positioning errors pose a significant risk of costly downtime and scrap. Transmission components such as gearboxes must be extremely precise, with minimal backlash, and they require replacement as they wear and lose accuracy. The need to clean transmission components only adds to the risk of wear due to ingress of water and cleaning fluids.

A better solution in many cases is to eliminate transmission components in favor of direct drive. Stainless steel AKMH servo motors offering precision in a wide range of options.

Automatic scales

Slices of cheese, meat and other products that are packaged on a plastic tray or container must be accurately weighed. The goal is to achieve a specified net weight with minimal product giveaway—or in the case of variable-weight packaging, to ensure accurate weight and pricing on each package.

If the motor is part of the scale system, minimal motor weight can minimize the risk that weight accuracy will be compromised. This is also the place to use relatively flexible cables, as a stiffer cable in motion can cause unnecessary drag that affects scale precision.

Another consideration is the motor’s thermal rise, as a hot motor in close proximity to a perishable product can affect food safety and quality. A motor that is cooler in operation also allows for faster cleaning, with less time spent waiting for the machine to cool down.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing system or create an all-new design, working with the right partner will help you engineer the exceptional.



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Digitally Controlled Pneumatic Depositors | Food Engineering



Unifiller Systems, a Coperion Food Health and Nutrition company, announced the CMD Series Depositors, digitally controlled pneumatic depositors.

The CMD Series Depositors are dial-less depositors offering features such as pre-charge, splash reduction, deposit pressure and other “servo-like” features above and beyond a standard pneumatic depositor. The CMD Series depositors are precision controlled by the company’s exclusive CMD+ program preloaded and provided on a tablet smart device with each CMD depositor. Compared to the standard depositors, the CMD Series can reportedly handle more complex applications such as ones that require smaller accurate deposits or more precise spray mode or splash control.

The CMD Series Depositors are built for ease of use and cleaning. No special training is required to operate the machines, and instructions are provided via video and manuals. The CMD series meet IP69 protocols, all electrical components are enclosed in a wash-down case that will withstand tough, industrial wash-down conditions.



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Weak pink numbers drag down Alaska salmon harvest


Even by even-year standards, it’s been a pretty poor year for harvests of pink salmon in the US state of Alaska […]

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Posted on Author Categories Seafood

Feedgrain Focus: Prices plunge on offshore moves


A crop of Minotaur barley sown on May 1 at Collingullie in southern NSW. Photo: Grassroots Agronomy

PRICES for feedgrain have fallen by up to $25 per tonne in the past week as global markets sink under the weight of the Northern Hemisphere new crop.

Coupled with ongoing concerns about a lack of general rain in much of South Australia, Victoria, and the far south of New South Wales, the low prices have doused grower interest in selling on-farm, warehoused, and new-crop grain.

In the north, the season is one of boundless promise, and trade sources say a few consumers are starting to look for Sep-Oct deliveries to ensure they are covered ahead of new crop hitting the market in volume.

Prompt Aug 15 New crop Aug 15
Barley Downs $335 $340 $320 $340
ASW Downs $338 $355 $320 $340
Sorghum Downs $338 $335 $330 $330
Barley Melbourne $320 $335 $310 $332
ASW Melbourne $340 $352 $330 $355

Table 1: Indicative prices in Australian dollars per tonne.

Buying interest pops up in north

Prompt barley in the northern market showed the smallest price drop of any quoted winter grain this week, with tight stocks and some spot demand from the beef and dairy sectors supporting the market.

“Barley stocks are really tight, and some of the smaller guys are going to hand to mouth; dairy’s buying too,” one trader said.

Stockfeed millers and larger feedlots are also “kicking tyres” for September deliveries, as a soft close for the Central Queensland and Maranoa growing seasons will arrest the amount of new-crop grain hitting the market early.

“There are some spot buyers out there.”

Qld had only sprinkles of rain in the past week, which is no cause for concern, and northern NSW had little, with Quirindi on 11mm the highest total registered.

Central and southern NSW had some registrations of 10-20mm at locations including: Temora 18mm; Trangie 12mm; Dubbo and West Wyalong 15mm, and Young 19mm.

Softer market invigorates southern demand

Clear Grain Exchange general manager Trent Smoker said demand is being seen as the market softens, with ASW1 wheat trading at $310/t Melbourne port equivalent this week, down from $327/t last week, and BAR1 at $300/t, down $15/t.

“Published bid prices and trade values have generally continued to soften this week, although buyer interest in trying to buy grain remains robust,” Mr Smoker said.

“Generally, trading volumes are modest as sellers hold firm on their price ideas, while buyers are actively trying to buy grain.

Mr Smoker said 40 buyers have actively placed bids on both warehouse and ex-farm grain this week on CGX and igrain, in some cases, have stepped up to meet sellers’ price ideas.

“As an example, BAR1 barley traded $320/t Adelaide port equivalent yesterday, $20 above the best published bid.”

Watsons Bulk Logistics managing director Joel Watson said the northern Mallee was still relatively dry, with small amounts of rain here and there propping up yield potential for now.

Showers are forecast for Vic in coming days, but Mr Watson the crop remains exposed because of its late establishment.

“In the Wimmera, crops are about four weeks behind down there, and they’ll be relying on a kind finish,” Mr Watson said.

As grain markets fall, mixed farmers are running the ruler over their options for what could be low-yielding cereals selling into low-priced markets versus the relatively stronger lamb market.

Mr Watson said the lack of biomass in many crops could be what sees them push through to harvest.

“For a lot of areas, the crop doesn’t have the density to cross it over into hay.”

Concerns about the season, and falling nearby and new-crop prices, have made grower offers hard to find.

“Growers have gone to ground.”

“They don’t like the prices, and new crop has a rather large question mark hanging over it.”

Mr Watson said average rainfall for the closing months of the growing season could see Vic growers get an average crop, but dry conditions will clip yield potential.

In SA, Pinion Advisory commodity risk manager Chris Heinjus said much of the state’s crop was in a situation as precarious as Vic’s.

“We’re on a knife edge,” Mr Heinjus said.

“We’ve had a little bit of rain…and that’s bought us another week, but we’re running three or four weeks behind where we should be.

“Our production risk is still quite real, and there are some areas that probably won’t make it.”

While some crops in SA are traveling reasonably well, Mr Heinjus said overall the crop will be nothing to write home about.

“There’ll be a crop, but I doubt very much it’ll be even an average one.”

Some growers in south-eastern Australia have received handy rain in the past week, but those that missed the falls are crossing their fingers for what has been forecast.

In Vic, higher registrations in the week to 9am today include: Dimboola 17mm; Goroke 43mm; Murrayville 8mm; Nhill 14mm; Rupanyup and St Arnaud 27mm, and Woomelang 9mm.

In SA, some gauges got nothing in the past week, but others got handy falls, including: Clare 31mm; Cummins 15mm; Coulta 20mm; Keith 25mm; Maitland 27mm; Roseworthy Ag 16mm, and Snowtown North 22mm.

 

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Posted on Author Categories Crops

Australian farmers increasingly concerned about government policy


Australia is one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters


22 August 2024


2 minute read

A rising number of Australian farmers are disgruntled with the government’s climate and agricultural policies, a survey showed on Wednesday, as measures to protect the environment draw farmers’ ire in Europe and some other places, reported Reuters. 

Australia is one of the world’s biggest agricultural exporters, shipping nearly $50 billion worth of products as varied as beef, wheat and wine in the 2022-23 financial year.

Since coming to power in 2022, the country’s Labor government has passed legislation that will ban exports of live sheep and restrict the use of water for farming in some areas.

It has also sought to raise more money from farmers for biosecurity and pushed ahead with renewable energy projects in rural areas, causing anger in the farming sector.

Seventy-three percent of 1,026 farmers surveyed across the country said government policies were harming the industry, up from 54% a year ago, the poll by the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and communications agency Seftons found.

Eighty percent said the government did not understand or listen to farmers, up from 41% last year, with only 10% saying the government had a positive plan to grow the farm sector.

Half of respondents thought Australia’s food and fibre production would increase over the next decade, down from 56% a year ago.

“The results are unsurprising. Critical issues like the live sheep export ban, biosecurity tax and water buybacks have weighed heavily on farmers,” said NFF President David Jochinke.

“Farmers are frustrated,” he said. “They feel they aren’t being heard and they are being steamrolled by harmful policies – that appear to be driven by activist groups or politicians, not farmers.”

Earlier this year, farmers in numerous European countries staged protests over a range of issues including excessive environmental rules.





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Posted on Author Categories Meat

Wild Earth Launches Nutritionally Complete Vegan Cat Food – vegconomist


Plant-based pet food brand Wild Earth has announced the launch of its first nutritionally complete vegan cat food.

Called Unicorn Pate, the wet food exceeds the requirements of AAFCO, an independent organization that sets standards for pet food safety and regulation. It contains ingredients such as lentils, peas, sweet potatoes, and marine microalgae, with added vitamins and minerals.

Unlike dogs, which are omnivorous, cats are considered to be obligate carnivores since they require nutrients not naturally found in plants. This includes taurine, an essential amino acid that cats cannot produce themselves and must get from their food. However, Unicorn Pate has been formulated to contain all the nutrients cats require without animal ingredients.

© Wild Earth

Good outcomes for vegan cats

The launch comes after a study published last year found good outcomes for cats fed a nutritionally complete vegan diet, including a 14.9% reduction in medication use, a 54.7% reduction in progression onto therapeutic diets, a 22.8% reduction in more severe illness, and a 7.3% reduction in veterinary visits.

“The pooled evidence to date from our study, and from others in this field, indicates that cats fed nutritionally sound vegan diets are healthier overall than those fed meat-based diets,” said study author Professor Andrew Knight.

Wild Earth’s plant-based food could also provide an option for cats with allergies to animal proteins such as chicken. These cats are often prescribed a plant-based diet, and the company hopes to “make plant-based options the first vs. the last choice” for clean, healthy pet food.

© Firat-stock.adobe.com

“We expect aggressive resistance”

Wild Earth was founded in 2017 with the aim of aligning pets’ well-being with sustainability and cruelty-free practices. The company appeared on Shark Tank in 2019, securing an investment from Mark Cuban.

Initially, Wild Earth focused on dog food, launching a koji-based dry kibble at Walmart in 2022. The brand then debuted a new core collection of plant and fungi-based dog kibble, available in several flavors, last year. A few months later, Wild Earth announced a partnership with Zeigler’s Distributor to expand its products across the US Mid-Atlantic region.

“Our team is incredibly proud to launch a new category leader that we hope will catalyze change in the entire pet food industry,” said Ryan Bethencourt, CEO of Wild Earth. “Nutritionally complete vegan cat food has been a long time coming, and we’re very thankful to be able to launch a whole new category of products which we think will transform cat nutrition and help make space for a kinder world for all animals.”

He added, “We expect aggressive resistance from the meat industry on the launch of this industry-pioneering vegan cat food, but we know there are A LOT of cat parents looking for healthier plant-based and more sustainable options and we want to be the leader in providing them with that choice.”

Unicorn Pate is now available from the Wild Earth website.



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Lightspeed Commerce Reveals Data about Solo Dining


Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com/portfolio/GaudiLab

MONTREAL — In response to the growing trend of solo dining, Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has released new data on the topic. According to a recent survey by the company, nearly half (43 per cent) of Canadians are dining alone in sit-down restaurants, with Torontonians leading this trend in Canada (50 per cent). The top reasons driving this trend include self-care (31 per cent), the desire to try out new places (25 per cent) and work lunches (28 per cent).

Traditionally, solo diners would opt for a spot at the bar. However, preferences are evolving. In Toronto, solo diners are increasingly choosing regular tables (38 per cent) over the bar (20 per cent). During these meals, popular activities include people watching (39 per cent) and catching up on texts or emails (40 per cent), but a significant number (39 per cent) simply relish in the peace and quiet of dining alone.

“The rise in solo dining reflects a broader trend towards investing in personal well-being and the importance of having a bit of ‘me time,’” says Dax Dasilva, founder and CEO of Lightspeed. “At a time where restaurants are competing for hard-earned dollars, the solo diner is an untapped market with plenty of opportunity.”

In New York City, a Lightspeed customer, Avant Garden, recently introduced the exclusive Table for One on the main floor of the restaurant. This specially designed table offers a comfortable and memorable setting, complete with a curated four-course menu priced at USD$65.

In addition to the solo dining trend, Lightspeed’s data reveals broader insights into Canadian dining habits. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) have noticed higher food prices, and almost half (42 per cent) report smaller portions. Meanwhile, many Torontonians are using money-saving strategies such as grabbing a doggy bag (36 per cent), opting for value meals (34 per cent), taking advantage of happy hour deals (26 per cent), and skipping dessert (40 per cent).



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