The "New" American Foodies

JI Bases is proud to be a partner in the food service industry; we try to peruse insights and trends on a daily basis to bring relevant ideas, solutions, and direction to all of our customers, past, present and future.  Our last blog talked about how you might reach more millennial food buyers.  This one seeks to give you a sense of how the “new” foodies are defining terms like fresh, natural, real, authentic and other “trending” terms.

 According to French’s Food Company (2016), consumers just want to be “real.”  They’re firmly grounded and really aren’t swayed by the media’s messages.  The consumer has an appreciation and desire for aesthetics and values craftsmanship. 

 Have a choice

Artisan, authentic, and options in general get noticed.  Most restauranteurs can move to fresh, quality ingredients even with limited culinary expertise in the kitchen.  When it comes to flavors sauces, glazes, dressings, relishes, and other toppings can be a simple way to bring quality and freshness to your menu.

 Demand for Global Flavors

 Italian, Asian, and Mexican flavors are the big three multi-cultural platforms that may allow you to formulate the magic of drawing in the 56% of American diners that are willing to try new items occasionally (NRN, 2016).  Regional items like Tuscan, Vietnamese, or South American cuisines are on the rise according to the Flavor & the Menu 2016 Top Trends.

 Based on demographics alone, a globally-inspired cuisine is inevitable in the United States.  The newest generation on the horizon, Generation Z, only comprises about 20% of the population today, but will increase to 40% by 2020.  For this generation in particular, ethnic cuisine isn’t ethnic cuisine – it’s simply cuisine.

 Modern Eating linked to identity

 Food today, more than ever before, has become a source of solace and pleasure.  Psychologist William Hallman of Rutgers University (2016) says that a person’s eating habits are an extension of who they are on many levels.  Diners want to escape the present and they share these experience with others, especially on social media.

 While JI Bases can’t help you with your menu or selections, we can instill that you care about the “new” foodies in providing the proven solid foundation of professional-grade cast iron table bases.  Our table bases will lend a better overall food experience without ever being noticed!  Let your food make your statement, not a wobbly table.