BELLEVUE, Wash. — Recent research at The Hartman Group zeroes in on changes in this country’s food culture over the last few years. The consulting and research firm recently outlined concepts any food provider should take note of as we enter the New Year.
“Of all the concepts we’ve described I believe the most important are about how our food culture has changed,” David Wright, Hartman senior associate, told SN.
A full 44% of all “adult eating happens alone, with nobody else — friend or family member — present,” according to the research. Many retail prepared food programs do package and promote single servings, but the research underscores the definite need for that.
Wright also discussed more general changes in consumer lifestyles, and how those changes are affecting their eating habits.
“We’re not lasering in on specific ingredients or on specific occasions even. You have to look at the broad picture,” Wright said.
He pointed out that a few of the insights topple the historic conceptions of how we eat nowadays.
“Eating alone is one, but also there are a tremendous number of different locations and times of day that we’re eating. Snacks have become very important.”
Researchers found that 48% of adults now eat between meals, the report indicates.