The allure of a powerful brandThe allure of a powerful brand

The right ingredients can make a difference in a menu item—in more ways than flavor. Consumers want information about the food they eat in their own homes and in restaurants. They want to know how the food is sourced, where the ingredients come from, and even what energy sources the producers use.

Foodservice operators can play a crucial role in satisfying these consumer demands. By offering ingredients that tell a powerful brand story that includes regenerative farming, environmentally friendly packaging, and other earth-friendly features, operators can attract these sustainability-minded consumers.

According to the 2023 Food and Health Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC), 35% of consumers said that “climate friendliness” impacted their choices about at least some of the foods they eat. Younger consumers were especially concerned: 46% of millennials and 39% of Gen Z reported such impacts, followed by Gen X (38%) and baby boomers (22%).

Brand story

Restaurant operators also want to know where ingredients come from and the environmental impact of producing them. Sustainability-minded food producers answer these questions with specifics about farming methods, soil use, and energy production. “Sustainability shouldn’t just be an item to check off a to-do list,” says Megan Jacobsen, vice president of sales and marketing for Gills Onions. “For my team and I at Gills Onions, it is a broader understanding that we can fulfill the current needs of the onion supply chain without compromising the needs of our land and resources for future generations.”

Transparency is also crucial, and Gills Onions are fully traceable throughout every stage of production. “From seed to package, we are involved in every single step of the process,” Jacobsen says. “From the time before the seed even goes into the ground, we are consciously aware of the decisions being made to grow that product.”

Sustainability

Consumers embrace a variety of sustainable practices. According to a report from Pew Research Center, a vast majority of U.S. adults say they make an effort to protect the environment at least some of the time. Among the efforts: 81% try to reduce their food waste, 72% attempt to use fewer single-use plastics, and 40% try to eat less meat. Also, 13% of U.S. adults view eating food that requires a lot of energy to produce as morally wrong.

As people work to limit their own carbon footprint, they expect companies to do their part. “When we think about the huge technological advances and structural changes that need to happen in order to change the world, something like a reusable coffee pod or recycling cans or plastic bottles might seem minuscule,” Jacobsen says. “However, your individual carbon footprint matters. And so does ours at Gills Onions.”