Page 5 - Wholesale Gourmet Food

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.

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

Charcuterie — aka cured meats, and cheeses, once seen as a high-end European-type meal is gaining popularity in the United States. A 2017 Nielsen survey found that the meat department and deli counter represent a $9 billion industry in the US, with $200 million of that coming from the specialty deli meat segment. The same growth can be seen in cheese. USDA stats show that consumption of cheese in the US has more than doubled from 14.3lbs in 1975 to 36.9lbs in 2017. In fact, according to Packaged Foods, projects that the natural and specialty cheese market will grow to exceed $18 billion by 2023.

The rise in specialty meats and cheese is attributed to customers’ love of the exotic, local, and in the case of meat products, heritage cuts, which are more sustainable. Whether it’s an intimate dinner or a large get-together, customers are looking to create special moments for guests through exceptional and unique food experiences.

A charcuterie board

Each year, new foods or ingredients, emerge as the “it” healthy items that everyone is rushing to add to their cart. Based on a survey of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN), Trade magazine Today’s Dietitian and health and wellness communications firm Pollock Communications identified this year’s top 10 most popular superfoods.

An interesting item revealed — RDNs observed that healthy labels were eclipsing taste in their patients’ food decisions. The takeaway — communicating the health benefits of certain ingredients is more important than ever.

You’ll see that the majority of these foods listed are items you already have on the shelves. Make sure those healthy labels are presented where they are highly visible by creating your own superfoods logo and “shelf talker” sign describing health benefits. To reinforce the signage throughout the store, post the list of this year’s “superfoods” at the front of your store so customers have a starting point for their hunt.