Top 5 Takeaways from Our 2025 State of the Food Technology Stack Survey

Every year, we hear a lot about innovation in tech and digital tools for the food industry. This year, we wanted to dig deeper to try and understand how food companies are actually using that technology in 2025. Which tools are indispensable? What technologies do industry leaders wish they could leverage? When it comes to the state of food technology tech stacks, what's here to stay — and what is just hype?  We wanted answers! So, we asked all of these questions and more.

Trustwell’s 2025 State of the Food Technology Stack Survey gathered insights from more than 300 professionals across food manufacturing, retail, distribution, and food service. The results reveal a tech landscape in transition: one where spreadsheets still dominate, integration challenges persist, and efficiency remains the north star. 

Below, we explore the seven most important takeaways from this year’s report, and what they mean for the future of food tech. 

1. It's All About Integration in Food Technology Software Solutions

Technology isn’t scarce. What’s missing is a way to make it all work together. Lack of integration was the most consistent pain point across our survey. It showed up as the top challenge with current systems (22.7%), the biggest
barrier to adopting new tools (34.6%), and the most requested improvement (29.5%). 

On-Demand Webinar: Tech-Driven Supply Chain Management

It’s clear that while digital adoption has grown, interoperability hasn’t caught up. When systems cannot communicate with each other, teams are forced to work around these limitations, such as manually entering data across multiple tools, reconciling reports, and wasting valuable time.

Integration gaps create inefficiencies and increase risk, especially in fast-moving categories like fresh and perishable
foods. For companies evaluating tech investments, integration can’t be an afterthought. It must be a core requirement from Day One.

Digital Download: The Ultimate Data Integrity Checklist for Food Safety & Quality Teams

2. Spreadsheets Are Sticky But Unsatisfying

Nearly 40% of respondents still rely on spreadsheets as a core part of their food tech stack. In smaller companies (those with 11 to 50 employees), that number jumps to over 70%. 

Just because something is sticky doesn't make it satisfactory, however. We asked respondents to rate their level of satisfaction for each type of solution on a 1-5 scale. On average, food companies rated spreadsheets at a 2.9, the lowest of any other solution.

While spreadsheets offer flexibility, they come with tradeoffs: data inconsistency, version control issues, and a lack of visibility across teams. Yet many companies feel stuck with them. Budget constraints, limited IT support, and a "this-is-how-we've-always-done-it" mindset all play a role in spreadsheet persistence.

It’s a reminder that digital transformation isn’t something food companies can achieve by simply adopting and implementing new tools. Teams have to shift their processes, priorities, and perspectives, too. 

3. Satisfaction Is Closely Tied to System Type

Not all tools deliver the same experience. Across every major solution area — labeling, formulation, quality, supply chain visibility, traceability — spreadsheets consistently ranked lowest in user satisfaction, while standalone software and ERP systems performed significantly better.

For instance, the average satisfaction score for spreadsheets in supply chain visibility was just 2.62 out of 5. Compare that to standalone software, which earned a 4.0 in the same category. In short, companies using purpose-built tools are getting more value, more insight, and more confidence in their data.

4. Automation and Visibility Top the Investment Priority List

When asked where they plan to invest over the next 12 to 24 months, respondents focused on three things: visibility, automation, and smarter decision-making. The top three areas of planned investment were:

• Improving data analytics and reporting 16.9%
• Strengthening food safety and quality management 14.2%
• Enhancing supply chain visibility and efficiency 14.2%
• Automating manual processes: 12.0% 

It is no surprise that analytics tops the list. Companies recognize that stronger reporting not only drives faster decisions but also helps them anticipate issues before they become costly problems. In a world of tight margins and constant disruption, agility matters more than ever.

Read More: Unlock the Power of Data-Driven Decision-Making with FoodLogiQ Embedded Analytics

Food safety and quality remain core priorities as well. As consumer expectations and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, companies are investing in technology that enables them to maintain high standards and respond promptly to issues.

Supply chain visibility is equally critical, particularly as businesses seek to balance efficiency with resilience in the face of ongoing volatility.

The emphasis on automating manual processes ties these priorities together. Whether it is eliminating repetitive data entry, reducing paper-based tracking, or streamlining approvals, automation frees up time and resources while improving accuracy. The throughline across all these priorities is clear: companies are looking for technology that reduces risk, increases transparency, and supports smarter, faster decision-making at every level of the business.

5. Different Roles Have Different Goals 

When it comes to technology, no two roles see the same set of challenges or opportunities. Executives often look at systems through a financial and operational lens. Their focus is on streamlining workflows, eliminating waste, and reducing costs, because efficiency at scale directly impacts profitability. For them, the value of technology is measured in speed, scalability, and return on investment.

Quality and compliance teams, on the other hand, are less concerned with speed and more focused on accuracy and consistency. They want tools that reduce duplicate data entry, minimize the risk of errors, and alleviate the burden of manual checks. For these teams, even small improvements in reliability can result in fewer compliance issues, stronger audit readiness, and increased confidence in day-to-day operations.

Research and development leaders bring yet another perspective. Their priority is access to information that fuels creativity and accelerates product development. They want to work with shared data that allows them to innovate quickly, adjust formulations with confidence, and shorten the path from concept to commercialization.

Supply chain and procurement teams view technology as a means to enhance visibility and collaboration. They want real-time access to supplier data, stronger connections across their networks, and tools that help them make better sourcing and planning decisions. For them, the right systems reduce uncertainty, strengthen partnerships, and facilitate easier responses to disruptions.

Digital Download: Future Focused Food Tech: Key Drivers & Trends

The takeaway is that while every role shares the same overarching goals of efficiency, agility, and resilience, the path each group takes to achieve them looks different. Successful technology strategies are those that recognize these differences, meeting teams where they are while aligning the organization as a whole toward greater safety, transparency, and performance.

Nearly a third of respondents indicated that cross-system integration would have the greatest impact on their operations. However, what that integration looks like depends on the role you're in.

• Executives want systems that streamline workflows and reduce costs
• Quality and compliance teams want to avoid duplicate data entry and manual checks
• R&D and supply chain leaders want access to shared data that supports faster innovation and better supplier collaboration.

The bottom line: integration is the path to shared visibility and cross-functional agility—but it must be tailored to meet different operational goals.

A Final Thought on the 2025 State of the Technology Stack Survey

The survey confirms what many food companies already sense: the future is about adopting technology that can help build smarter, more connected systems. Adding another siloed solution only increases complexity. What companies need are platforms that speak the same language, share critical data, and deliver better outcomes at every stage, from recipe development to product recall.

This year’s results underscore the fact that integration and automation are no longer optional. They are the backbone of agility, accuracy, and resilience in the food industry. The companies that act now will move faster, reduce risk, and set the standard for safety and transparency.

At Trustwell, we are helping companies make that shift, one connection at a time. By uniting formulation, labeling, supply chain, and compliance workflows within a single platform, Trustwell helps food businesses replace disconnected tools with a connected approach that saves time, strengthens confidence, and supports growth.

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