Monthly Archives: December 2019

The New Year is only days away. That means the cookies, cakes, and comfort food of the holidays are soon but a distant memory. Consumers are saying goodbye to grandma’s gooey mac & cheese and homemade cookies, and hello to fruits, vegetables, and other better-for-you foods.

This shift from indulgent feasts, to foods on the lighter side might not be as drastic as in years past. In fact, Culinary Visions found that health benefits trumped taste in consumers’ snack selections year round.

We know what they DON’T want (less salt, less fat, less carbs, fewer calories, less sugar, etc.) but what are consumers looking for in terms of healthy foods? Here are some stats for inspiration.

• US organic food sales totaled $47.9 billion in 2018, according to a survey from the Organic Trade Organization. Fruits and vegetables made up 36% of these sales, so keep pushing the produce.
• 39 states choose broccoli as their favorite vegetable, per a survey

Treats to help customers jump-start their resolutions through the holidays

The New Year is a little more than week away, and that can mean only one thing – resolutions. According to research firm YouGov, 54% of Americans resolved to eat healthier heading into 2019. We can expect similar numbers going into 2020. While consumers are looking to eat healthier, on-the-go snacks tallied up $1.1 billion worth of business in 2018, according to Nielsen, and the market is growing. It seems consumers are not willing to skip snacks to achieve their fitness goals.

Meet your customers in the middle with small indulgences that combine better-for-you ingredients like nuts and dried fruit. Here are some of our favorites that help make the transition from the holiday table to the gym bag.

Silver and Gold might be a classic Christmas tune, but this color theme isn’t just for the holidays and New Year’s. It adds a touch of elegance to a wedding, commemorates an anniversary, and brings class to a milestone birthday, or even a baby shower.

In fact, consumers’ love of the silver and gold theme is actually a ‘thing’ called color psychology. According to colormeanings.com, silver, to many, represents wealth and innovation, while gold represents wealth and opulence. With these feelings attached to these sparkling, shimmering colors, it’s no wonder they’re selected for customers’ most important events.

Confectionery manufacturers have heard our call for everything shiny and increasingly are offering chocolates and candies that actually have a metallic hue. Put on your sunglasses and don your top hat (remember these colors are elite) as we list our beloved brightest confections.

We’ve trimmed the tree and decked the halls. Time to enjoy longtime holiday candy favorites!

90% of us plan to share or gift chocolate and candy this season (National Confectioners Association (NCA)). While new Christmas treats pop up every year, we’re feeling nostalgic for candies that have stood the test of time.

Join us as we take a trip down memory lane while introducing new twists on holiday classic favorites.

Whether it’s part of a New Year’s resolution, or a goal such as trying to get in beach body shape, many consumers turn to a gluten-free diet to help keep a healthy lifestyle. Currently there are 3.1 million Americans following a gluten-free diet for personal and medical reasons according to Forbes. Business consulting firm Grand View Research tabulated all the numbers and their data shows the gluten-free market size has been estimated at a whopping $17.59 billion in 2018 (and still growing).

While there are many gluten-free food products on the market today, the category in hot demand is baked goods, according to Allied Market Research. With the continued popularity of baking competition shows and Pinterest’s pretty pictures promoting a gluten-free lifestyle, it’s not surprising that consumers want to make their own gluten-free baked creations at home.

Gluten-free baking can be challenging the