Supermarket Perimeter - March 2022 - 29

In 2021, the company introduced its Net Carb
Flour Blends for use in a range of bakery and snack
applications for consumers looking to manage their
net carb intake. The calculation of net carbs subtracts
the total grams of fiber and sugar alcohols from total
carbohydrates. Crustless pizza, otherwise known as
pizza bowls, is another option to enjoy pizza with a lower
carb count.
Top that
Plant-based is also seeing robust growth in pizza toppings.
Favorites like Italian sausage crumbles, pepperoni and
minced meats and meatballs in plant-based form deliver a
DELICIOUS, CONVENIENT AND RELIABLE: pizza is a go-to food. The
simple pizza pie checks a multitude of purchasing factors including value,
quality and variety and its versatility accommodates anything from a quick,
grab-n-go slice to a culinary exploration of restaurant-like results at home.
Its highly adaptable format, which has proved virtually pandemic-proof,
can be indulgent while also finding balance with better-for-you options.
While traditional forms of pizza show no signs of stagnation, there is
a steady gravitation toward better-for-you diversification. This includes
a rise in pizza crusts that follow clean label, low carb or low net-carb,
whole grain, plant-based, vegan and gluten-free diets and lifestyles that
respond to health-minded consumer demands, said Matthew Schueller,
director of marketing insights and analytics, Ardent Mills, Denver.
Authenticity leads those demands - whether that's pizza made
with traditional ingredients and methods, leading with the origin story
of a product, or seeking out the perfect flour, sauce or toppings to
accommodate individual desires.
Starting point
That means starting with a great baseline. Many consider a quality
dough and crust to be the most important component of pizza,
according to Technomic's 2020 Pizza Consumer Trend Report.
There are a myriad of options available these days from the
traditional and artisan made with minimal ingredients to crusts made
with heirloom and ancient grains and those fortified with a variety of
plant-based ingredients.
Delorio's, Utica, N.Y., is a pizza dough supplier and manufacturer of
premade frozen pizza dough, dough balls, organic dough, pizza dough
flats, shells, breadsticks and alternative crusts for foodservice along with
retail pizza kits and dough products featuring crust, sauce and cheese.
Looking to meet growing demands for crust that tastes great and
dovetails with dietary demands, Delorio's offers broccoli and cauliflower
plant-based crusts, gluten-free, keto and sweet potato and chickpea
crusts. Cargill, Minneapolis, has seen tremendous growth in the betterfor-you
pizza segment in retail led by a rise in demand for gluten-free
crust with cauliflower as a leading option.
For customers who wish to offer whole-grain, gluten-free, non-GMO
dishes, Ardent Mills provides organic flours and specialty grains that
can produce a cleaner label eating experience. Add-ins such as quinoa,
chickpea flour and spelt further boost nutrition, texture and flavor for
health-conscious consumers, shared Lindsey Morgan, head of product
marketing, Ardent Mills.
supermarketperimeter.com
MARCH 2022 - 29
familiar look and nutritional benefits to conventional, animal-based
products. Those looking to boost the protein content of their pizza can
look to plant-based pizza toppings made with pea protein and textured
pea protein.
Plant-based cheese offerings also continue to refine their offerings
with greater emphasis on meltability and flavor. Schuman Cheese,
Fairfield, N.J., offers its Vevan brand with Vevan Shreds for dairy-free
and vegan pizza options.
" Consumers are looking not only for good tasting dairy-free cheese,
but they also want it to perform like 'real' cheese, " said Allison Schuman,
chief business development officer at Schuman Cheese. " Our Vevan
Mozza-Shred is made by our master cheesemakers, so they stretch,
pull and melt like dairy cheese. We think that in the near future, the
performance of cheese is going to be a deciding factor for some
shoppers. "
Another important factor in the purchase of pizza ingredients is
longevity and authenticity. Pastorelli Food Products, Chicago, is the
manufacturer of Italian Chef Pizza sauce, the first fully prepared pizza
sauce in a can, created in 1952. The fourth-generation, family-owned
company creates oils, vinegars, and tomato products for foodservice,
retail and bulk.
" When we invented fully prepared pizza sauce in the can, there was
a demand for convenience in the kitchen, " said Richard Pastorelli, chef,
Pastorelli Food Products. " Now, we are seeing trends circle back to
making dishes and ingredients from scratch. "
CARGILL, ARDENT MILLS
Add-ins featuring
specialty grains
have been increasing
in popularity for
Ardent Mills.
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