The Hartman Group

20/06/2023

Glass vs. TetraPak. Compostable vs. recyclable. The list of plastic alternatives goes on...

What really makes packaging "sustainable" in consumers' minds? https://ow.ly/mvUR50OS6Oz

We know consumers want less plastic and non-recyclable packaging, but how do they feel about alternative options? Do they prefer glass? TetraPak? Compostable packaging?...

19/06/2023

34% of consumers said fighting food waste is one of the most important factors when choosing foods and beverages to buy, according to our Sustainability 2021 study.

And yet, thousands of pounds of food still goes to waste every day.

So how do you save nearly 17,000 pounds of “abnormal” oranges set for landfill?

We rolled up our sleeves and found out during our recent Trend Trek to Food Lifeline, a local organization dedicated to fighting food insecurity: https://ow.ly/eahB50OQJpS

How do you save nearly 17,000 pounds of “abnormal” oranges set for landfill? We found out during our Trend Trek to Food Lifeline, a local organization that sources surplus food and re-distributes it to nearly 1.4 million people across western Washington.

12/06/2023

Consumers are playing an interesting game of "would you rather" at the grocery store as inflation pressures mount:

Do they shop at different places? Buy less healthy food? Cut spending elsewhere?

Read our latest SmartBrief column to see how and where consumers are getting creative in balancing their food values with inflated grocery bills. Hint: most won't budge on the actual foods they buy.

As consumers are feeling the squeeze of inflation, their food choices and grocery shopping habits are shifting.

09/06/2023

CRISPR technology has officially made its way to US shelves: so what does this groundbreaking development mean for the future of food? This can’t-miss webinar will address implications for producers and retailers, consumer reactions, and more.

Join Haven Baker, Vonnie Estes, Neil Merritt, Dave Puglia and our own Laurie Demeritt for an insightful discussion! https://ow.ly/YUPP50OKpW6

08/06/2023

Consumers care more about the “why” than the “how” and “what” when it comes to food tech.

Communicating clear, tangible benefits with true-to-nature language can help dramatically increase purchase intent for products made with precision fermentation. FoodNavigator offers a great synopsis of our research on the topic with Perfect Day and Cargill: https://ow.ly/JEHG50OJqjQ

Consumers are seeking more natural, fresh and less processed foods and believe that science and technology, like precision fermentation, may be more suitable to effectively address these issues than traditional food manufacturing methods, according to the study which was sponsored by Cargill and Per...

05/06/2023

Carbon negative. Climate positive. Net-zero. What does it all mean? And more importantly, what do consumers think about these claims?

In our latest podcast episode, Harris and Allen dive into hypotheses around emerging sustainability trends, consumer perceptions of claims, inflation’s impact on consumer priorities and more.

http://ow.ly/bmQr50OGgqg

Join Judi Harris and Robertson Allen as they explore emerging sustainability trends and their staying power in the World of Sustainability, how inflation is impacting consumers’ sustainable product choices, perceptions around claims and more.

31/05/2023

“Good value” means much more than getting the best quality for the lowest price.

As inflation persists, - The Food Industry Association's latest U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends survey found that dimensions of quality, relevance, experience and convenience are now commonly layered onto the price-quantity ratio.

Swipe below to see how these considerations play out in the grocery aisles, and check out the latest FMI report for more details: http://ow.ly/AFUb50OB6bH

30/05/2023

Hard truth: most consumers don't understand the interconnected web that is "sustainability."

Despite growing concerns about the environment and broader social issues, nearly half of consumers defined sustainability with general ideas in 2021: 47% characterized it as environmental friendliness, and 46% equated it to common practices like recycling, reusing and reducing waste.

Curious if consumers' attitudes and understanding of sustainability has evolved? So are we.

Learn more about our Q3 syndicated report, Sustainability & Transparency 2023, and the shifting sustainability landscape here: http://ow.ly/faom50OA18X

The definition of “sustainability” has expanded exponentially in recent years. A term that once simply signified humans’ use of natural resources...

25/05/2023

Regenerative agriculture's powerful meaning is at risk of being diluted.

Preliminary research shows that crops grown using these methods help sequester carbon, increase soil biodiversity, and are more nutritious – an indication that regenerative agriculture can meet multiple consumer needs.

However, this can only happen if the regenerative concept, like the soil and crops themselves, is cared for by the businesses that use it.

As companies and brands rush to implement regenerative agricultural practices, transparency and partnerships with third-party experts are crucial for ensuring positive environmental outcomes and reassuring consumers that the practice is validated. http://ow.ly/yhAu50Ox6HB

As companies like PepsiCo and General Mills enlist farmers to deliver on their lofty emissions reduction goals, experts are divided over whether the practice will produce tangible results.

24/05/2023

There's no such thing as a one-sided approach to wellness in 2023.

Each consumer’s perspective of health and wellness is unique: at any given time, they may engage more or less deeply with the mental/emotional, physical, or social aspects of health.

Action-oriented tactics for addressing H&W have seen some of the biggest increases in the past two years:

- Getting enough sleep or rest
- Taking steps to support one's mental health
- Staying active without a specific goal

Explore more findings from our report "Health and Wellness 2023: the Great Wellness Reset": http://ow.ly/a5yx50Ow5EM

23/05/2023

From snacking trends to defining the new "premium," see which food culture trends we'll be focusing on in our 2024 syndicated research: http://ow.ly/5cwq50OuW8c

Curious how this research can unlock growth opportunities for your business? Let's chat!

What’s next for the food and beverage industry in 2024? Our next year of research will keep you on the cutting edge of food culture, from the world of organic...

19/05/2023

Something to sip on: is water boring?

Hydration is a key need state emerging from our Modern Beverage Culture 2023 study, especially as many consumers are prioritizing health and wellness. But another important trend is how the "fun" factor impacts beverage choices, especially water.

Hear more from Danielle Kleiner-Kanter and Judi Harris on this bubbling topic in our latest podcast episode: http://ow.ly/gxUT50OsjiG

This episode explores an emerging trend from Modern Beverage Culture 2023: hydration. We discuss opportunities to infuse beverages with fun and flavor, where hydration overlaps with other need states and how consumers feel about sugar in their beverages.