Foodies Driving Change

The undercurrents of change in the food world are everywhere according to a new report by Packaged facts called Opportunities for Restaurants and Retail, 2^nd Edition. The Packaged Facts data reveals a striking trend in the way American consumers think about food based on industry growth between 2007 and 2014. 

In the report, Packaged Facts “pinpoints a subsection of foodies identified as the Trendsetter Foodie segment, consisting of foodies who “agree a lot” with the statements that “I like to try new recipes” and “I like to try out new food products. Trendsetter Foodies total around 29 million and represent about 12 percent of the adult population. 

The Trendsetter Foodies consist of “Millennials, Gen-Xers or Boomers, Trendsetter Foodies share a common underlying desire not only to seek out new food experiences and products, but to try new things of all kinds, whether shopping at a new store, wearing new clothing styles, or buying new gadgets. Moreover, there is a noteworthy similarity in the eating habits, food preferences, food shopping habits, and attitudes toward cooking at home of Trendsetter Foodies of all ages.”

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ points out “that the ‘Trendsetter Foodies’ are early adopters of new points of fresh food distribution, Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food, and cheerleaders for the evolving grocerant niche.” 

David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts stated: “Undoubtedly, one of the threads running through the food culture today is an unending quest for new and exciting food products and experiences… Foodies in particular are deeply immersed in searching for the next big thing in the food world.”

The changing face of retail food customers was revealed by the Packaged Facts National Online Survey data that found: “foodies have an above-average likelihood of being under the age of 35 and thus falling within the Millennial generation, and Millennials account for around 36 percent of the Trendsetter Foodie segment.”

The report went on to sound like our Grocerant Guru™ finding that “Millennials have a preference for globalized food styles, a quest for intense and exciting flavors and textures, an unending search for what’s trending in the restaurant world, an attachment to farm-to-table restaurants, a cascade of Instagram posts of “what we’re eating right now,” the food truck fad, and locavore food shopping habits are just a few of the hallmarks of Millennial foodie fixations.” 

Not to worry Boomers the report found that you (Baby Boomers) “represent 32 percent of Trendsetter Foodies and thus are nearly as important as Millennials in this consumer segment. So not too much has changed.  Clearly what was reveled was 30+ percent of the population is in search for new, different points of fresh food.  Regular readers of this blog know where they are looking and finding it! Within the GROCERANT NICHE.

At home or school today’s consumers are informed, seeking ‘better for you’ Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food for breakfast, lunch, snacking or dinner.  Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a grocerant program assessment, grocerant scorecard, brand, or product placement assistance.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869