The specialty food industry is a bright spot in the U.S. economy. In 2014, sales of specialty food topped $100 billion for the first time, with retail and foodservice sales reaching a record $109 billion, according to a new report from the Specialty Food Association, New York.
In fact, retail sales of specialty food sales grew 19% from 2012-2014 vs. a tepid 2% increase for all food. The industry, fueled by small businesses, now boasts 15 segments that exceed $1 billion in sales, including cheese, coffee, meat, poultry and seafood, chips, pretzels and snacks, candy and yogurt.