The dawn of the 21st century brought about an eating renaissance—consumers are more aware than ever that good nutrition is linked to their well-being. A healthful awareness has emerged as consumers seek dietary balance. As part of this quest for dietary balance, consumers are shopping the perimeter of grocery stores in the ‘fresh’ aisles—produce, bakery, deli, dairy, seafood and meats. Natural artisan cheeses are part of this fresh movement as consumers seek products with more flavor and higher quality. • The notion of ‘balance’ is deepening among consumers as a dominant health & wellness ideology. • More than half of adults (51%) like the trend toward healthier eating. • Fresh foods make up 43 percent of the supermarket basket. • Sixty percent of consumers ranked taste or freshness as the most important factor when buying food at the grocery store. • Consumers equate locally grown food with freshness and freshness with higher quality. Consumers equate the notion of fresh with healthfulness. • Fresh also means more nutritious, less processed foods that are more wholesome. • Food safety fears and America’s growing ‘green’ culture are driving up sales of fresh and locally grown foods. • Retail sales of fresh foods total $230 billion. Back to top Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is another part of the American dietary shift toward healthier eating. All year long, more and more consumers are having salad for lunch or dinner with added protein for a satisfying meal. • Convenience still rules. Packaged salads lead produce department sales. • Nearly three-quarters of American households (73%) serve salads as a regular part of their meals. • More than half of adults ordered salads for lunch at full-service restaurants in the past six months. As the pace of life quickens and becomes more complicated, many consumers are seeking comfort in things past that they perceive to be simpler and more ‘authentic.’ In foods, flavor, presentation and even packaging can lend authenticity to a product. Consumers will rely on claims of authenticity to differentiate between products—the more credible these claims, the greater justification producers will have for price premiums. Leading the way in this trend towards experiencing authenticity are artisan cheeses. • Artisan cheeses tend to be handcrafted in small batches by skilled cheesemakers—the cheese is aged naturally, developing unique flavor profiles. • More than half of American consumers are purchasing specialty cheese on a regular basis. Artisan cheese is the fastest growing segment of the multibillion dollar cheese market, with an average of more than 15 percent sales growth over the past five years. • When added to salads, artisan cheeses increase the sensual pleasure of the entrees, imparting a range of flavors, textures and aromas. • The protein that artisan cheese lends to salads sustains energy and provides satiety. • Artisan cheeses are thought to be more flavorful, full-bodied and aged longer. • Consumers feel natural cheese, such as artisan cheese, can be eaten as part of a healthy diet plan. Back to top Sargento recently launched a line of Artisan Blends at retail that combine high quality Sargento specialty cheese with flavorful, handcrafted artisan cheese for an artistic blend that makes meals deliciously memorable. Contact your Sargento representative for more info on these and all of our cheese products at 1-800-SARGENTO. Back to top