Eating out is in

The National Restaurant Association has forecast that 2007 will bring record sales of $537 billion, in what the group described as a "solid" 5% increase over 2006. Americans are spending 47.9% of their food budget in restaurants, and 935,000 restaurants employ 12.8 million people. Some hot menu trends in the NRA report include bite-sized desserts, locally grown and organic produce, flatbread and bottled water. Other hot items include pomegranates, figs, grass-fed and and free range meat, fresh herbs and exotic mushrooms. The NRA reports that of those restaurants serving organic items, 52% of fine dining, 42% of casual dining and 27% of family dining operators expect higher sales in 2007. Locally sourced produce is also expected to grow in sales by 51% of fine dining, 38% of casual dining and 31% of family dining restaurant operators. Another interesting tidbit: 36% of adults say they eating on the go less than two years ago, and 48% eat in their cars less frequently.
The NRA report said the Mountain region will lead restaurant sales growth at 6.7% followed by the South Atlantic with 6.2% growth. Nevada will lead all states in sales growth with 8.1% forecasted growth, followed by Arizona at 7.6% ad Florida at 7.1%. Baby boomers are eating better, so the NRA mentioned that quick service restaurants will continue to diversify their menus with "good for you food."
That's one of several positives in the 2007 forecast for fruit and vegetable marketers.