According to results from the Grocery Manufacturers Association’s 2010 Health and Wellness survey, healthy foods are on the rise. Survey results show that, in response to consumer demand for healthier products, “food and beverage companies eliminated or reduced trans fat in more than 10,000 products, eliminated or reduced saturated fat in more than 6,600 products…”

In newly released findings from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the number of farmers markets continues to grow at a significant pace, increasing by 16% in the past year alone. Consumer focus on personal health and green issues are the likely drivers behind this growth, as study after study shows continued interest in these topics.

More great news for healthy food makers! In a nifty, new graphic taken from Reimagining Health & Wellness 2010, the Hartman Group totals up average consumer health and wellness spending and finds that average spending on wellness products has been on an upward trend since 2005.

Vegetarian dietary habits often begin at an early age. According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Vegetarian Resource Group, about 3% or 1.4 million U.S. youths between the ages of 8 and 18 are vegetarian, and two-thirds of this group may be classified as vegan.

A new report from the Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council of North America (CCRRC) finds that economic realities are keeping consumers dining at home. For grocery stores, this trend is a boon, boosting in-store food sales by as much as 3.2% according to the CCRRC. Additional research from The Nielsen Company affirms this finding; estimates say that as many as 46% of American households are eating out less frequently.