Well, this was exciting. Last week, I got to interview Phil Lempert, The Supermarket Guru and Today Show food contributor, to talk about 2015 food trends. You can take your fashion trends, this is much more up my alley!
Known as The Supermarket Guru, Phil Lempert is a distinguished author and speaker who alerts customers and business leaders to impending corporate and consumer trends and empowers them to make educated purchasing and marketing decisions. He is one of America’s leading consumer trend-watchers and analysts, serving as a spokesperson for ConAgra Foods and making regular appearances on NBC News’ Today show and ABC’s The View. Phil offers thorough food ratings, analyzes trends in food marketing and retail and features health advice, unique recipes, nutrition analysis, allergy alerts and many other resources for consumers.
Let’s watch the interview and discuss, shall we?
Mr. Lempert is a little biased in his examples, but there are some solid trends to pull out of this discussion.
Grocery Delivery Expands
Raise your hand if you use the grocery section
While I love to grocery shop in person, I’m thinking about joining Thrive Market, since it seems like the Do-Gooder way to get those same deals on the organic, craft, or otherwise pretentious (hey, if we can’t laugh at ourselves, we have no sense of humor) food I like.
A friend of mine swears by Peapod instead of going to the store live. Before Malorie I couldn’t understand why. Now, I totally get it. I may love going…by myself… but trying to entertain kids while remembering everything on the list is a hassle.
Anyway, the market for online grocery shopping is expanding exponentially every day. I think this will help with both selection and cost. The first place that lets me buy more than four cups of quinoa at a time for less than $10 wins!
Apps and Electronics Are the Future of The Kitchen
I mean, is this even worth mentioning? Of course we are using apps and electronics to help up plan menus, stay healthy, and keep our grocery lists. The Prep Pad Phil mentions sounds interesting. I really struggle with tracking my food. I like My Fitness Pal because I can just scan the code on the package to add it to my list, but this piece of equipment sounds like it actually measures out the values for the amount of food you are eating. No more cheating by saying you’re only having 1/2 cup of ice cream while you put two cups in your bowl. That’s good, I think.
Craft Food
As we look to support local and “know the maker”, it comes as no surprise that craft foods and drinks are gaining popularity. Here in Milwaukee, the Winter Farmers Market, held at the Domes is a great place to meet face-to-face with the makers of some great stuff. Offline, Phil told me fermented foods are going to be big in 2015. That’s good news for Zymbiotics, a new company here in the Milwaukee market making sauerkraut and kimchi. Have you tried it yet?
My grocery store does a good job of stocking options from small businesses, too. Madam J’s Sticky Fingers strawberry jam, Di Salvo’s marinara sauce, and RP’s tortellini pasta are some of my small-batch favorites. What are yours?
Finally, in this land of frozen custard and fast food soft serve, I was totally stoked to hear about the new partnership between Purple Door ice cream and Indulgence chocolietier. They are going to open a restaurant/store together. Here that? That’s my wallet and my thighs both taking a great big sigh…
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