trends snapshot YOUNGER CONSUMERS EMBRACING FAT A five-year study by research firm New Nutrition Business found younger consumers are more open to the idea that fat is not bad, with a higher number of younger consumers seeking to eat more healthy fats than older consumers. PANDEMIC SNACKING: 46% snacking more than before 42% snacking the same 12% less than before 77% buy snacks online more often than they do in store or offline. 69% plan to keep shopping for snacks online once the pandemic is over. PANDEMIC CONNECTIONS: 52% of respondents said snacking has been a " lifeline " during the pandemic. 77% connected with others via food in the past six months. 40% made a snack together. 31% gave a snack as a gift. 29% shopped for someone who could not go themselves. PANDEMIC PEACE: 64% said snacking provided a moment of peace. 53% bought nostalgic snack brands from their childhoods. When asked the emotions experienced while snacking, the top two answers were comfort at 45% and relief/to unplug at 35%. State of Snacking report, Mondelez International PERCENT OF CONSUMERS WHO WANT TO EAT MORE FAT: PERCENT AGE 34% 35 to 44 33% 25 to 34 Younger consumers' 30% 18 to 24 growing embrace of fat is fueled in part by the 24% 45 to 54 emergence of carbs and 23% 55 to 64 sugars as the new dietary demons, the study found. Just 16% of Americans said fat is the nutrient most likely to cause weight gain, compared to 48% who blame carbs and sugars. New Nutrition Business MOTIVATED BUYERS Consumers report that these three factors drive their decision to try a new food trend: 80% Taste 61% Price 55% Health Combined, diet and health concerns were cited as one of the top reasons for trying a new food trend by 63% of consumers. Kearney Food Trends Survey www.bakingandsnack.com / December 2020 Baking & Snack 15http://www.bakingandsnack.com