From The Winter 2005 Issue of Natural Grocery Buyer

Statshots

Where Is Takeout Going?
More than two-thirds of shoppers say they pick up convenience foods to eat at home. And 59 percent would buy more on-the-go foods if they could find healthier options.

In an online study of 500 shoppers, Insight Express, a Stamford, Conn.-based market research firm, also found they chose ready-to-eat foods based primarily on reduced preparation time (70 percent), individual packaging (34 percent) and taste (28 percent).

Nine out of 10 respondents said they buy portable convenience foods. But only 21 percent said they choose “a healthy alternative” from the grab-and-go case.

• The $44.5 billion red meat industry reported an 18 percent increase in sales between 2002 and 2004. The popularity of the Atkins diet, which led to an increased focus on red meat, is the primary reason for this growth.
• Nearly nine out of 10 Americans eat beef, 82 percent eat pork and one-third eat veal; 55 percent of Americans eat red meat two or more times a week; and 25 percent eat it at least once a week. Only 10 percent eat red meat less than once a month.
• 40 percent of Americans say that they are concerned about hormones and additives in meat or poultry.
• Three out of four consumers believe that red meat is the least healthy of the meat/proteins surveyed, followed by poultry with just 8 percent and seafood or fish at 6 percent.

Source: Mintel International Group

What a Friend We Have in Cheeses

• Americans have increased their annual per capita consumption of cheese from 23 pounds in 1985 to 31 pounds in 2003. Analysts predict that in 2013, per capita consumption of cheese will be at 33 pounds.
• The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board predicts that burgers topped with organic cheese will gain mainstream acceptance in chain restaurants, along with other cheese sandwich options and pizza selections, as organic products become more available.
• In Wisconsin, specialty cheese production showed an 8 percent increase in 2003 from the previous year, and 2004 is on track for another increase. The most popular specialty cheeses include feta, blue, super-aged Parmesan, aged provolone, Asiago, Gouda, fontina, Havarti and Hispanic types, including asadero, anejo enchilada and queso fresco.

Source: The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board

More Consumers Go Organic
27% are eating more organic foods than they did in 2003
11% used organic products daily in 2003 (up from 8 percent in 2000)
54% have tried something organic
16% use organic foods at least once a week (up from 9 percent in 2003)

• Those who cite specific reasons for choosing organics list personal health more often than anything else. Other top reasons include the safety and taste of organics.
• Organic meats are the fastest-growing category, posting a 78 percent jump in sales in 2003. Snack foods, at 30 percent growth, came in a distant second. Most other categories are growing at least 20 percent each year.
• Organic foods now account for about 2.3 percent of all retail food sales.

Source: The U.S. Market for Organic Food and Beverages: The Mainstreaming of a Trend, Packaged Facts

Health Is Wealth
56% of shoppers strongly believe that eating healthfully is a better way to manage illness than taking medications. And they put their money where their beliefs are:

• 63 percent of supermarket shoppers have purchased food labeled “low fat”
• 40 percent have purchased “low-carb” products
• 62 percent percent purchase whole-grain products
• 51 percent buy calcium-rich foods
• 46 percent say they want more prepared foods that are healthy
• 45 percent want foods without trans fats
• 46 percent said they would go out of their way to buy from a store that taught them about healthy eating and featured products to help them in that endeavor
• 43 percent make their organic purchases at a conventional grocery store
• Of those shoppers who sought health and nutritional information from their grocery store, the greatest number—46 percent—made at least $35,000 annually, and 53 percent were college graduates.

Source: 2004 Shopping For Health, Food Marketing Institute/Prevention magazine

Downsize Me
45 percent of Americans are reducing the size of the portions they eat in an effort to lose weight. In addition, 40 percent are eating low-fat foods, 38 percent are restricting carbohydrates and 31 percent are reducing overall calories. When it comes to specific foods, Americans are eating fewer potatoes (43 percent), sweets (41 percent), pasta (40 percent) and bread (39 percent). Half are increasing the amount of complex carbs they eat, including vegetables, salad and fruit.

Source: Parade 2004 What America Eats Survey