Office working, automated services and a changing population continue to influence catering trends
10 July 2025Workplaces are encouraging more office days, as employers look to use catering facilities as an incentive to attract and retain staff, according to the latest insights from IGD’s new Away From Home (AFH) service.
Workplaces are encouraging more office days, as employers look to use catering facilities as an incentive to attract and retain staff, according to the latest insights from IGD’s new Away From Home (AFH) service.
The five-year forecast highlights key catering trends across workplace, healthcare, education and services. Findings include continued improvement in automated service delivery, paving the way for 24/7 facilities such as ‘micromarkets’, which can feature chillers, built-in microwaves, and fast cook machines.
Elsewhere, an ageing population will drive the volume of meals in hospitals and care homes, while a declining number of primary-aged children will affect the volume of school meals.
In terms of services, the prison population is in growth, therefore the number of meals served in these facilities in increasing.
These insights are part of IGD’s new AFH proposition, which kicked off with the launch of the AFH five-year market forecast for 2025-2030. The new service has been developed in recognition of the need for a whole-market viewpoint of the AFH sector and marks a significant milestone for IGD as its first new insight product for 15 years.
To find out more visit www.IGD.com
To view the sector report, click here
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IGD brings together stakeholders from across the food system, fostering action across on critical challenges across a broad cross section of forums. Through evidence-based insights, credible research, and thought leadership, IGD guides businesses to make informed decisions that not only benefit their operations but also contribute to the collective good of society. As a charity with a long-standing commitment to the food and grocery industry, IGD does not advocate for any single commercial interest but works towards fostering alignment on shared goals that can have a positive, lasting impact on both the industry and the communities it serves. Its neutrality and impartiality are key to its role in facilitating collaboration, whether through policy development or addressing emerging risks and opportunities. By staying connected to the changing dynamics of the world, IGD ensures that the food system remains robust and sustainable, creating tangible benefits for businesses, consumers and society.