CHICAGO — Noncommercial foodservice operations accounted for 34 percent of total U.S. foodservice sales in 2012, garnering over $200 billion in sales, according to Technomic Inc. The market researcher expects the strongest growth, in the healthcare sector, to be a nominal 4.5 percent and in business and industry to be 4.0 percent. As a whole, noncommercial foodservice operations are forecast to grow 3.7 percent, representing many and varied opportunities for suppliers.

Technomic defines the noncommercial segment as including colleges & universities, K-12 school districts, healthcare, retail meal solutions, convenience stores, travel centers, lodging/hotels, recreation, travel, business & industry, military, corrections, daycare, group purchasing organizations, and foodservice management firms. Out of the top 60 hotel brands profiled, 42 percent are upscale, 30 percent are midscale, 20 percent are luxury and 8 percent are economy. The company also points out that the top hundred healthcare facilities, which include hospitals, long-term care and senior living, had foodservice purchases estimated at $350 million in 2012.

"Noncommercial foodservice players are looking to other segments like fast casual to adopt best practices," says Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic. "More consumers want food that is high quality, fresh, and flavorful. Whether they are traveling, attending school or work or just concerned about their children's school lunches, they've come to expect better options and operators need to deliver them."