Want a deeper understanding of the topics covered in our new Future of Snacking 2024 report? Hear directly from our lead researchers as they give a sneak peek of some interesting insights we uncovered, such as:  How needs around Nourishment, Optimization, Pleasure and Distraction highlight a shift toward more intentional snacking choices Why taste goes beyond just flavor, and how different dimensions of taste play a role in the overall snacking experience What consumers look for in terms of snack packaging and how it underscores the importance of convenience About the report  Futur ..read more

You’ve probably heard us talk about Hartman Retainer Services, or HRS, quite a bit. But you might still be wondering what kind of questions we can answer — and how detailed we can get (spoiler alert: very detailed!). On this week’s podcast, Rob and Alissa from our HRS team are breaking down some examples of recent client requests and the resulting deliverables, ranging from a deep dive on functional mushrooms to an analysis of evolving consumer needs within meat and seafood occasions.  Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at how we tackled these unique requests, and how this on-demand ..read more

Plus, what the Kroger-Albertson’s merger says about pricing, accessibility, variety, labor and more  Businesses face significant pressure to predict market trends accurately — almost like having a crystal ball. Although seeing into the future is impossible, you can come very close with the right insights and cultural understanding.  Hartman Group’s Futurecast 2024 helps guide you through discussions on major changes affecting consumer behavior so you can pinpoint trends and pockets of demand for sustained growth.  This week’s podcast offers an inside look at this strategic exe ..read more

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our friend Julie O’Brien, owner of Seattle-based Firefly Kitchens, for a Trend Trek at Hartman Group’s offices. Julie shared an impressive spread of gut-loving sauerkrauts, kimchis and tonics, and taught our team more about the delicate fermentation process behind them.   In this week’s podcast, Robert and Melissa break down (pun intended) highlights and key learnings from the Trek:  Our favorite bites and recipe ideas from the tasting The benefits of fermented foods, immunity to digestion to microbiome health Challenges faced by fermented foo ..read more

In this week’s episode, Alissa and Danielle are giving our listeners an exclusive sneak-peek into our new Ideas in Food report. They discuss several emerging trends and their critical implications:  The increasing importance of texture and how it can enhance taste  Surprising ways sound influences our perception of food  Backlash toward everything being marketed as healthy or functional Ideas in Food focuses on the cultural roots of over a dozen trends and their implications for your business. You’ll walk away confident about where you can make the greatest impact in the years ..read more

The USDA organic certification is becoming table stakes, and many consumers are starting to recognize it may not be enough (more to come on this in our Q2 syndicated study).   We sat down with Ted Robb, founder of New Barn Organics to chat all about the next evolution of organic. Nearly all New Barn’s products are Regenerative Organic Certified, including the first-ever ROC unsweetened almond milk. But their story goes much deeper than that.  Ted shares an honest and inspiring perspective on: The ups and downs of growing a new brand  Thoughtful distribution  How brands can ..read more

This week we’re joined by Steve Markenson from FMI, The Food Industry Association, to discuss FMI’s ongoing work monitoring shopper attitudes and behaviors, plus a sneak peek of key findings from its latest wave of tracking:  How have shopper concerns with food inflation evolved as of the end of 2023?  How do shoppers feel about the year ahead, and what are their personal ambitions?  What exposure have American adults had to AI-enabled tools like ChatGPT, and how do they want to incorporate new tools for personalization into their food lives? If you like these insights, subsc ..read more

In this episode, our lead researchers discuss key topics from our latest study on Gen Z and Gen Alpha:  Gen Alpha (ages 0-12): How parents are shaping food habits and personal values Exposure to diverse tastes and textures  Proactive approaches to social media and technology Gen Z (ages 13-26): Digital connection and food “hacking” culture How food and lifestyle choices are intrinsically linked to over-arching values  Where there’s opportunity for brands to connect Listen now The Taste of Tomorrow report is now available for purchase, providing deep insights and actionable i ..read more

A new year is full of promise…and long to-do lists. We know you’re busy, so we’re saving the data deep dives for future podcast episodes. To help us all ease back into our routines, our first 2024 installment of The Insatiable Appetite offers a few things to get excited about.  Join us as we chat about new four-legged family members, professional goals, and new tech developments here at The Hartman Group.  If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and ..read more

As GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic gain attention and popularity, some suggest that it could impact everything from the alcohol sector to health and wellness products. Listen in as our analysts discuss the genesis of these drugs, dispel some myths, and hypothesize how your business may need to adapt. If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more ..read more