LANE Releases Food and Beverage Beat 2013

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Feb 1, 2013) - LANE, a national, independent agency specializing in public relations, digital marketing and investor relations, has released the results of its fourth annual food and beverage report. According to the LANE Food and Beverage Beat 2013, the two most prominent themes in America's food and beverage industry this year will be a continued focus on health and heightened interest in, and adoption of, new flavors and preparations from many cultures.

The LANE Food and Beverage Beat 2013 reports the results of interviews with six national food and beverage industry influencers about what they see coming in 2013, where they find inspiration and what new trends are getting them most excited.

"A common thread among survey participants was that consumers and chefs alike will look to international influences to create new tastes this year," said Kristen Siefkin, LANE vice president and national product leader for food and beverage. "It was also widely agreed that health will continue to be a focus and have an influence on food and beverage in America."

Survey Highlights
International influence:

• Consumers looking for new tastes, and a shifting, more diverse population, leads to growth in ethnic food category.
• San Diego, Calif., emerges as a culinary destination due to Mexico's culinary influence.
• Street food from Singapore, Israel, Mexico and other countries gains popularity.
• Wines from Portugal gain traction in market due to good value and quality.

Health focus:

• Continued emphasis on natural, organic and sustainable food as consumers challenge brands and retailers for healthier products.
• Promotion of healthy, wholesome features such as zip code-specific products.
• Chia seeds begin to show up in foods and drinks.
• Smaller portions become more popular due to health-conscious environment.
• Consumers opting for cleaner, fresher flavors, especially in drinks and cocktails.

National influencers who participated in the survey are:

• Brian Boyle, managing director at D.A. Davidson & Co. overseeing the investment banking division's food and beverage practice.
• Gerry Frank, author of Gerry Frank's Picks column in the Oregonian and the best-selling guidebook "Where to Find It, Buy It, Eat It in New York."
• Sally Swift, managing producer and co-creator of public radio's award-winning food program "The Splendid Table," co-author of" The Splendid Table's How To Eat Supper" and "How To Eat Weekends."
• Sam Gugino, contributing editor at Wine Spectator magazine and author of food and wine blog Samcooks.com.
• Alexander Ong, chef at San Francisco's Betelnut, one of the region's favorites.
• Molly O'Neill, author of four cookbooks, former reporter and food columnist for The New York Times and its Sunday magazine, and author of cooknscribble.com.

For a complete summary of the LANE Food and Beverage Beat 2013 please visit the full report here.

About LANE
LANE is a national, independent firm focused on driving business and sales success for clients through strategic communications counsel. With offices in New York and Portland, Ore., LANE provides integrated public relations, digital marketing and investor relations services for clients in a host of industries, including financial services, consumer, food and beverage, and technology. Founded in 1990, the agency has won several awards, including the 2011 Silver Sabre Award, the 2010 Bronze Bulldog Award for best new product launch, and the 2009 PR Week Young PR Professional of the Year. For more information about LANE, visit www.lanepr.com. Connect with LANE on Twitter at Twitter.com/LANEPR and LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/company/lane.