When was the last time you purchased a hardcover book? How about a magazine? How many of your adult children have a newspaper delivered to their home every day of the week? Did you do most of your holiday shopping this year in a department store or online? All of these questions should stop and make you think because each of these industries—publishing, news media, retail—are being reshaped by digital shoppers. And as it is happening to these industries, it is also happening to our industry.

Our cameras snapped away as we captured innovations that could impact the food retail industry. Here are a dozen technologies we found—in no particular order—that you might find useful or relevant, including a few you might even like personally.

According to 2017 Top Trends in Fresh, 230 million individuals will be living with chronic illnesses by 2030, and it’s no surprise to hear, that healthcare premiums are also soaring. In response, consumers are focusing on self-care and holistic foods. Now when I visit my doctor the conversation is usually around what foods will benefit my health. It’s amazing how many choices in the Fresh Department help consumers prevent and manage disease states, increase nutrition needs, and increase vitamin intake without the need to swallow a handful of supplements. Food is powerful and it’s proving its ability to prevent specific illnesses.

Bringing the industry together to agree on a common date-label language was a crucial first step, but it was only that; a first step. Much work remains to be done to bring this acclaimed initiative to fruition. There will be cross- industry task forces assembled to continue the work in three important areas.