Holiday Food Trends 2011 finding comfort in traditional foods.

Recession, stagnation or double dip this year consumers are looking for food focused with “Flavor Flashback” albeit with touch of contemporized relevance. While the US unemployment rate is roughly 9.1% it is estimated that combined with the underemployed and those not even looking any longer the rate is 15.7% it’s clear a large portion of America is going without. Unemployment numbers are disproportionately high for those under 24 and over 55 increasing anxiety while creating a climate of disorder in the workforce it no wonder “flavor flashbacks” will be popular this year. 

According to the National Pork Board's second annual "Holiday Table Trends" survey. “Nine out of 10 Americans are looking to incorporate retro dishes into their holiday menus this year, Whether you're hungry for nostalgic flavors or modern twists”.

The report finds that consumer will be looking to include “trendy takes on deviled eggs and reinvented brunch classics make their way to the table.”  They found that consumers will be focusing on cooking strata’s to reduce the kitchen work while leveraging leftovers. Families will focus on finger-foods that are adult and kid friendly allowing for variety and smaller portions. Then for traditional with a new twist the suggest “Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Frizzled Ham”   

Here are some trends that we have heard about mashed potatoes with bacon gravy, green bean casserole with smoked ham and prosciutto wrapped deviled eggs.  Recession, stagnation or double dip this year consumers are looking for food.  Everyone here at Foodservice Solutions® asks that if you can, please donate to your local food back. 

Steven A. Johnson is Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based foodservice consultancy Foodservice Solutions® and writes a blog at:http://www.grocerants.blogspot.com. He can be found on linkedin at:linkedin.com/grocerant,facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Twitter.com/grocerant