Consumers are eating organic. They are devouring all-things gluten-free. They are consuming food that makes them feel better.

This isn't a trend or fad. It is a way of life for people from coast to coast. And a large percentage of those who seek out healthier, better-for-you food are also willing to "pay a premium for food that offers benefits beyond basic nutrition," according to Statista.com.

In fact, 50 percent of younger Millennials, 48 percent of older Millennials, 44 percent of Gen Xers, and 34 percent of younger Boomers agreed with this statement.

Market data also shows natural food and beverage products are surpassing sales growth for conventional products in every region across the U.S.

In California, for example, natural food and beverages make up 13.1 percent of the market, with overall sales growth in the state at only 0.6 percent year-over-year.

Similarly, specialty food item sales were up 9.8 percent between 2016 and 2018, according to the Specialty Food Association. Highest dollar growth categories included refrigerated and frozen plant-based meat alternatives, rice cakes, and water.

As consumer demand for natural and specialty products has increased, so has the number of items available to the foodservice, grocery, and c-store channels.

But in many cases, these brands are smaller and harder for distributors to source, which is why we have expanded our Natural and Specialty offering more so than any other category here at Dot.

Today, we carry 8,000 of these products from 200 brands. From bread to baking needs, chocolate to cookies, and meat substitutes to soups, we have it all at Dot Foods.

Dot Foods customers can view these items on the Dot Expressway.

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