Twenty percent of adults in the U.S. will order their Thanksgiving meal or specialty ingredients to make it online, either for delivery or in-store pickup, according to the latest data from market research firm NPD Group.
While turkey will remain the star of the Thanksgiving Day meal, unconventional fixings such as garlic habanero, harissa, and entrees that take the place of meat for vegan/vegetarians — like meatloaf made from Impossible Foods' plant-based ingredients — will have supporting roles as more grocery stores and meal kit delivery services appeal to niche diets, according to NPD data.
"With consumers more health-conscious than ever, the holiday meal is growing healthier too. It’s not unusual to have grandma serve gluten-free dressing with an alternative-protein ‘meat’ course and dairy-free butter on the organic potato puree," Phil Kafarakis, president of the Speciality Foods Association, told FOX Business, adding that consumers will find more niche-based options that appeal to people following meatless, keto or vegan diets.