At Global Pet Expo, Open Farm expanded its Gently Cooked dog food line with new varieties featuring 100% human-grade ingredients, sustainably sourced protein, and non-GMO fruits and vegetables.
“We have seen explosive growth in the fresh food category over the last five years, largely driven by the increasing humanization of pet diets and a heightened focus on pet health and wellness,” said Mark Sapir, chief marketing officer at Open Farm." The gentle cooking process is beneficial for locking in essential nutrients and flavors, meeting the demand for quality meals for pets that are minimally processed.
After thawing and serving, Gently Cooked recipes can be used as complete meals or meal toppers. New offerings in pre-portioned packaging include options like Wild-Caught Fish, made with Ocean Wise wild-caught whitefish and salmon, plus sweet potato, flaxseed, and kale.
What's Driving This Trend
- Humanization of Pet Diets
- Pet owners are increasingly treating their pets like family, leading to a growing trend towards feeding pets high-quality human-grade food options.
- Sustainably Sourced Pet Foods
- The rise in consumer consciousness about sustainability is driving demand for pet foods made from ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Minimally Processed Pet Meals
- As concerns about pet health rise, there is growing interest in pet foods that retain nutritional integrity through minimal processing methods.
Who This Affects Most
- Pet Food Manufacturing
- The pet food sector is evolving with innovations in processing techniques that emphasize nutrient preservation and ingredient quality.
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Agricultural practices focusing on sustainability are becoming pivotal for industries that supply ingredients to ethical pet food manufacturers.
- Cold Chain Logistics
- With the increase in fresh and frozen pet food options, there is rising demand for efficient cold storage and transport solutions to maintain product integrity.
