Steak, meatballs and meatloaf are typically served alongside whole grains and vegetables, but American Foods Group's heat-and-eat 'Great American Comfort Classics' line emphasizes that these meat products can stand alone. The Great American Comfort Classics collection is packaged in single-serve trays that offer small, protein-rich portions of beef. This is called out on the packaging by a large stamp that reads "PROTEIN," calling attention to the fact that these conveniently packaged meat snacks offer more than 20 grams of protein.
The fully cooked heat-and-eat Teriyaki and Barbecue Meatballs, Salisbury Steak and Meatloaf with Tomato Glaze can be found in the freezer or refrigerated sections in stores.
Meat-eating consumers who are looking for protein are now turning to meat snacks that some in portions that are just slightly smaller than one would eat for a full meal.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Standalone Meat Snacks
- Single-serve meat products marketed as protein-rich snacks create opportunities for disruptive retail packaging and snack offerings.
- Heat-and-eat Convenience Foods
- The rise of fully cooked, heat-and-eat meals presents opportunities for innovators to create new product lines and packaging solutions for busy consumers.
- Meat-based Snacking
- Consumers seeking healthier snack options are turning towards meat-based snacks as a protein-rich, satiating option, presenting opportunities for innovators to develop and market new snack products and flavors.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Food Packaging
- Innovators and manufacturers in the food packaging industry can create new packaging and designs to market single-serve meat products as convenient, protein-rich snacks.
- Frozen Foods
- With the rise of heat-and-eat convenience foods, disruptive innovation is possible in the frozen foods industry with new product lines and packaging solutions to appeal to busy consumers.
- Meat Products
- Opportunities exist for companies in the meat products industry to develop and market new snack products and flavors to meet the demand for healthier, protein-rich snacking options.
