The Foodservice Packaging Institute’s latest Trends Report has revealed key industry shifts brought on by millennials.

Convenience is one of the largest factors at play. Grab-and-go options are becoming increasingly important to millennials.

Trends such as an increased interest in tamper-evident packaging and food safety show that preparation and distribution of meals is also changing. Tamper-evident packaging offers a visible solution for foodservice operators and their customers concerned about the integrity of their foods and beverages.

Terms like “environmentally-friendly,” “sustainable,” “recyclable” and “compostable” packaging are a regular part of the lexicon. “ Companies are looking to fulfill both environmental and economic goals.

Another key industry shift revealed in the survey is the common concerns addressed across multiple industry segments. Foodservice packaging sectors are communicating more with each other, thus paying more attention to the similar links, challenges and opportunities in the entire supply chain.

“Each year our Trends Report searches for common threads found throughout the entire foodservice packaging value chain. This year more than ever, it’s hard to deny the influence of the millennial generation on the foodservice packaging industry,” said Lynn Dyer, FPI’s president. “As such a large, influential piece of the population, the opinions and ideals of millennials are a defining factor, leaving an impression on the industry.”