instore - Jan + Feb 2015 - (Page 34)

specialty foods health + flavor by John Unrein The Mediterranean diet, which remains one of the strongest food trends in America, incorporates the basics of healthy eating - plus a splash of flavorful olive oil - among other components characterizing the traditional cooking style of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Most healthy diets include fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains, and limit unhealthy fats. Because of this growing concern, health claims that convey wholesome, pure ingredients resonate strongly. For example, consumers say fresh, natural or unprocessed attributes help improve perceived taste and health. Similarly, ingredients that naturally boost the nutrition content of an item, such as fruits and vegetables, also enhance taste and health perceptions. According to the Mayo Clinic, research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of heart disease. In fact, an analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of death from heart disease and cancer, as well as a reduced incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the Mediterranean diet as an eating plan that can help promote health and prevent disease. And the Mediterranean diet is one that all grocery shoppers can follow for good health. "Menu transparency is imperative and can help drive sales of healthy options," says Sara Monnette, senior director of Consumer Insights & Innovation at Technomic. "Telling an ingredient's story - whether it's farm-raised, local or GMO-free for instance, can directly impact consumer decisions about what to order and where to dine." Today's healthy food tells a story, and your instore bakery/deli customers want to hear it. Recent research by Technomic shows that most consumers want restaurants and retail food shops to be more transparent about menu-item ingredients. "Telling an ingredient's story - whether it's farm-raised, local or GMO-free for instance, can directly impact consumer decisions about what to order and where to dine." Olives and Antipasti With these trends in mind, the olive bar and the salad bar represent two strong pillars for your instore operations to convey the important message of health options for your shoppers. Increasingly, your customers want to know more details about the offerings in your olive bar. Promote unique items within your olive bar, and you will be sure to see a difference in higher sales. For instance, the Pepperazzi, a native of Peru, is a unique pepper with a balance of sweet and spicy flavors. With its vibrant presence-in both color and flavor-it's a fabulous way to spice up any olive and antipasti bar, according to DeLallo. Loaded with Vitamin C, this red pepper boasts the ideal balance of sweet and spicy with a crisp texture to hold up to all creations-whether diced, sliced or stuffed. The product is packed in sweet vinegar for superior fresh flavor and crisp flesh. Sara Monnette, senior director of Consumer Insights & Innovation at Technomic More flavor and zip than traditional red peppers, the Delallo line of Pepperazzi offers a few unique presentations to spice up displays. 34 * JAN + FEB 2015 * instore

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of instore - Jan + Feb 2015

instore - Jan + Feb 2015
Editor's Note - Unlocking the Door to Profit
What's Ahead
Table of Contents
News - On Our Radar
Shopper Demographics - Trending Cake
Trendspotting: Fondant Cakes
Trending - Deli Prepared Chicken
Trendspotting - Rotisserie Chicken
Consumer Insights - Millenials
Diet Trends - Gluten-free
Merchandising - The Haggan Experience
Seasonal Promotions - Summer Occasions
Specialty Foods - Health + Flavor
Cakes - Step to the Head of the Class
Foodservice - Stop & Shop Redefines Dining
Specialty Cheese - Snacking Cheese Ideas
Packaging - Safety & Convenience
Product Trends
Product Showcase
Next Up/Ad Index

instore - Jan + Feb 2015