From one Guru to another: Top Food Trends 2010
When it comes to social media, “gurus” seem to be multiplying like rabbits. According to an hysterically spot-on post from the always wicked-smart B.L. Ochman, there are in fact, nearly 16,000 of them on Twitter. I point this out because my Top Food Trends 2010 article features a genuine guru, one with 25 years of near-psychic food predictions. I grew up reading Progressive Grocer, thanks to a supermarket exec Dad, so I know the real deal when I see it — and that happens to be Phil Lempert, aka The Supermarket Guru ®. Recently, he invited visitors to his site to participate in a 2010 Food Trends poll.
Here’s the upshot: (For me, there were a couple of surprises, most notably in the social media responses.)
What will be the top food trend for 2010? (select one)
Private labels:
22%
Transparency/Sustainability:
19%
Baby boomer-driven products:
17%
Social networking/food apps:
10%
Rise of the “Anti-Foodie”:
3%
Relaxation foods:
5%
Shorter ingredient lists:
24%
In 2010, I will be more likely to purchase (select one)
Private labels:
42%
Co-branded private labels:
32%
Brand name products:
26%
In 2010, I will be more likely to purchase (select all that apply)
Ground on demand meat:
17%
Select cuts of meat I prefer:
53%
Pre-packaged ground meat case:
30%
How important will Country of Origin labeling be to you in 2010? (select one)
Very important:
54%
Somewhat important:
38%
Not at all important:
8%
Which of the following “word-of-mouth” outlets will you use to talk about food in 2010? (select all that apply)
Twitter:
6% (Seems low, considering the prevalence of foodie tweets)
Facebook:
40% (Surprisingly strong)
Consumer blogs:
54% (Blogs continue to be influential)
Which of the following iPhone apps will you use to research food in 2010? (select all that apply)
GroceryIQ:
6%
Locavore:
1%
Pair it:
0%
Yelp:
3%
iEatOut:
3%
Soliel Organics:
1%
iFood Assistant:
3%
Nutrition Navigation:
4%
ScanAvert:
2%
Recipezaar Sifter:
4%
Urban Spoon:
3%
Good Guide:
4%
Seafood Watch:
4% (Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch app deserves more use!)
None:
61%
Foodie or anti-foodie?
Foodie:
78%
Anti-Foodie:
22%
How much do you expect to spend on food next year?
More than last year:
24%
The same as last year:
59%
Less than last year:
17%
What trends to do you think will affect 2010 prices most? (select all that apply)
Weather conditions:
22%
Healthcare reform:
13%
Small store formats:
5%
The economy:
59%
To learn more about The Supermarket Guru, click here for the web site.
Click here for the Facebook page.
Find him on Twitter
And for more Food Trends, here’s what chefs say will be hot in 2010.
