Specialty food companies are making it easier for those who want to cook from scratch by cross promoting with the appropriate cooking tools and recipes

The emphasis on health and wellness also may be seen in the meal kits market where consumers now are ranking health as a more important purchasing factor than convenience.

Grocery retailer The Fresh Market has launched its Valentine’s Day menu with meal kit options for two or even groups of four.

Sustainable produce grower Local Bounti Corp. has launched a chef-inspired, Asian-Style Chicken Lettuce Wrap kit.

Meal solutions will continue to play a huge role in the fresh perimeter of the future, but they will definitely look different from today’s solutions, said Rick Stein, vice president of fresh for Arlington, Va.-based FMI – The Food Industry Association.

As part of new cost management initiatives, Blue Apron Holdings is cutting 10% of its corporate workforce. 

For budget-conscious consumers, supermarket deli entrées become the ideal choice for restaurant-quality meals without the added costs of tipping and the extra fees involved when using a mobile delivery service.

Erin Henderson, Blue Springs, Mo.-based Zarda Bar-B-Q and Catering Co.'s catering director, gave five catering tips for retail delis.

For retail delis looking to add old-style barbecue to their catering menus, Blue Springs, Mo.-based Zarda Bar-B-Q & Catering Co. offers a line of fully cooked, hickory-smoked barbecue meats and beans.