SUPPLIER VIEWPOINT

Authenticity plays a major role. Customers’ intention in buying world-food products is to recreate dishes they have tasted while traveling or for those who are adventure seekers to taste something new.

Having access to authentic ingredients and cooking techniques is very important when creating an authentic meal.

All our world-food brands at EBF are authentically sourced and produced to cater to the best-quality taste experience.

A mega-trend influencing our innovation is healthier eating as purchase decisions are heavily influenced by the healthiness of the products they buy.

ten don’t have a long time to engage in events, so simple, clear communications are really important.”

“Suppliers say an ongoing trend is the development of plant-based cuisines and healthier meal options.”

Food-for-home purchasing in convenience stores is growing, with 69% of shoppers visiting convenience stores at least once a week, according to Mintel.

“ Those in tighter financial situations have turned to items with longer shelf lives, and families are seeking convenience when getting ready-to-cook meals,” Ambawatta says.

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

Cambridge retailer Ronak Patel, who operates a Budgens and two Nisa stores in the city, says his stores feature a large variety of world food, with his offering including Indian, Chinese, Turkish, Polish, Irish and

One-third of world cuisine shoppers would like to see more products that include ideas on how to make dishes healthier. More are purchasing in convenience, and they are more aware of nutritional benefits and ingredients used in products than ever before.

The EBF group includes a range of world-food cooking pastes, ingredients, meal kits and sauces in the growing category of Asian and Oriental cuisine.

Products include a plantbased award-winning vegan Fish sauce and Pad Thai sauce, winner of the Great Taste Awards 2021 and many more. Meal kits include a range of favourite South East Asian dishes under Thai Taste, Malay Taste and Nem Viet brands.

Empire Bespoke Foods has just launched Master Cook, its own authentic Indian range of pea-protein-filled plant-based Indian meal kits and heat-andeat dals.