Marketing and Media Relations

Eye on the Market

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A new consumer survey from Technomic found that almost half of American consumers now snack twice a day, compared with about one quarter a year ago, and 37% have widened the category to include more types of food, drink and restaurant menu items. (SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Food & Beverage)

Value-added produce is booming in popularity. Of the five fresh produce categories showing an increase in volume in 2011, value-added vegetables were in first place with a 7.5% increase, and value-added fruit ranked second with a 4.6% increase. (The Packer)

Sales at sit-down restaurants grew 8.7% in the 12-month period ending Jan., faster than any period since the economic boom of the late 1990s. Sales at full-service restaurants, which range from casual chains to fine-dining establishments, rose faster than sales at limited-service eateries, an indicator that the economy is improving. (The New York Times)

A consumer survey from WSL Strategic Retail found that 52% of people say they are struggling to afford to pay for their basic needs. People age 18 to 34 had the highest percentage of respondents who said they did not have enough money to pay for the necessities, while 30% of those making $100,000 to $150,000 a year saying they can only afford the basics. (Supermarket News)

According to a new report from Packaged Facts, the market is growing for functional food and drinks that aim to help with specific health conditions, such as high cholesterol or digestive health, and prevent diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. (FoodNavigator)

Pepper Jack cheese has shown up in nearly 50 other new consumer products over the past two years, according to Datamonitor. It’s inclusion as a menu offering on fast-food sandwiches increased more than 37% over the past four years, according to Datassential. (USA Today)