On-the-Go Foodservice

Cropping up more on the West Coast, the wine bars are catching on and being written about on numerous blogs as customers begin to respect the chain as more than an natural food grocer.

The grocer also plans to expand its Tastings restaurant concept, which could be featured in some form inside a new Wegmans Food Market in Philadelphia.

Consumers may demand healthy food on a menu, but it doesn't mean they are going to order it, according to Mintel research.

The $2.99 meals are available via touch-screen ordering at 36 of Rutter's convenience stores.

More funding will be needed, however, to protect the nation's food supply, she added.

Retailers deeply steeped in the foodservice business are better equipped to weather these tough economic times, and will reap the benefits of their ability to respond to consumers’ changing shopping needs.