The Annual Meat Conference returns March 1-3, 2027, in Dallas, where food retailers can hear what comes next in the Power of Meat research, with early bird rates available through Nov. 17.
By David Haaf, Vice President, Fresh Foods, FMI
Shoppers are not walking away from the meat department. They are using it differently.
That was the theme of the Power of Meat 2026, the 21st edition of the annual research on how Americans buy meat and poultry, released in March at the Annual Meat Conference (AMC). Millennials and Gen Z accounted for 67% of unit growth in 2025. In addition, 77% of shoppers agree that meat and poultry are part of a healthy, balanced diet, up 13 percentage points since 2020.
According to the report, nearly all U.S. households purchased meat during the year, and shoppers averaged more than 56 meat shopping trips annually. Rather than stepping away from the category, consumers adjusted how they buy it, reinforcing meat’s role as a cornerstone of the fresh department.
Findings like these change how food retailers view the meat category. They land differently when you hear them in a room with the people at the Annual Meat Conference who must act on them.
Attendees at AMC said as much in a video from last year’s conference. “This conference is full of solutions, so anything ranging from new products, packaging type as well as resources that are available, market intel, data, etc.,” said Heather DeLuca, Vice President of Meat at Associated Wholesale Grocers. “It’s all here.”
Meredith Healan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at JPL Food LLC, singled out the research. “The Power of Meat is probably the most impactful part of AMC. It’s great every year. There was so much about how we need to target different generations of consumers that I think will be very beneficial.”
For Chris Williams, Senior Vice President, Americas, at Hewitt, the value was the mix of voices. “It’s great to get everybody in the same room from both the packer side and the retailer side,” he said, “and just hear all the voices at the table and understand really what’s fueling their business and their growth.”
The discussion continued during our recent “Meat in Motion” webinar, where industry experts explored how economic pressures, shifting shopping behaviors and emerging opportunities are reshaping the meat case into 2027. Anthony Monaco of C&S Wholesale Grocers ended the session looking ahead: “Our industry will not win tomorrow by repeating today.”
The Power of Meat 2027 makes its debut at AMC on Monday, March 1 in Dallas. Expect to leave with fresh data on who is buying, what they want and how they decide.
Food retailers who want first-hand insights can save if they act now. FMI members will receive early bird rates at about half of last year’s prices through Nov. 17, starting at $295 for first-time attendees.
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