feature Experience and exploration are important for retail foodservice as consumers seek new cuisine, and innovative food concepts. The overall eating and shopping habits of today's consumers reveals some driving forces behind this trend: * Convenience. Many individuals today are juggling busy work schedules, family responsibilities, and personal commitments. Some simply don't have the time for regularly preparing meals at home. * On-the-go eating and snacking. The lines are now blurred when it comes to dayparts, with a growing number of consumers forgoing the traditional three meals a day model and instead eating whenever they have the urge, making prepared food an ideal choice. Additionally, the rise in snacking as a substitute for full meals creates opportunities for foodservice-prepared food options. * Health and wellness. Traditionally, foodservice has not typically been associated with health-conscious consumers, however, 22 * JUNE 2017 * instorehttp://www.gardnerpie.com