In this podcast, we discuss how co-founder John Mackey’s retirement from Whole Foods Market is a good reminder to recount the chain’s outsized influence on trends ranging from clean product standards to organics, GMOs and animal and employee welfare.  From its involvement in establishing organic standards to sustainability efforts at retail like banning plastic bags, our analysts discuss how, since the 1980s, Whole Foods has been ahead of the curve in terms of the retail marketplace and its alignment with trends in consumer food culture.  
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Whole Foods Market and Its Outsized Influence on Food Culture

The Insatiable Appetite is a podcast for people who are in the serious business of food — making it, marketing it, selling it, serving it. With each episode, The Hartman Group’s social scientists, business analysts and culinary experts give listeners more than a heaping helping of facts and insights into what’s going on with some of the hottest topics in our vibrant contemporary culture of food and beverage.

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You may have seen the controversy around Alexandre Family Farms regarding allegations of  mistreatment of cows and subsequent details regarding the validity of the claims and underlying motivations of those involved in the reporting. This got us thinking about a larger question: what are the lasting impacts of conflicting media information on consumer trust, and how can discerning organizations combat them?   Listen to this week’s podcast for a fascinating discussion about how media, brands, and consumers influence public perceptions. We touch on important issues like: The evolution of consumers’ understanding of food production and farm operations How certifications can help (or hinder) consumer trust and decision-making  Tips for companies seeking to offer a transparent view of their systems and processes And in the spirit of transparency, we’re providing links to the primary articles referenced in this episode: The truth about organic milk, The Atlantic [UPDATED] Report From Animal Advocacy Group Finds ‘Deception, Cruelty and Animal Abuse’ at Alexandre Family Farm in Crescent City, Lost Coast Outpost Want to know more about consumer perceptions within organic?  As consumers become more aware of the nuances within the organic market, issues around safety, health, and sustainability are becoming even more prominent — and animal welfare is a key topic gaining consumer attention. We’ll explore the ins and outs of these issues and more in Beyond Organic 2024: Expanding Distinctions in Food & Beverage.  Pre-purchase the report  
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Navigating conflict and consumer trust in the organic marketplace

Want a deeper understanding of the topics covered in our new Future of Snacking 2024 report? Hear directly from our lead researchers as they give a sneak peek of some interesting insights we uncovered, such as: How needs around Nourishment, Optimization, Pleasure and Distraction highlight a shift toward more intentional snacking choicesWhy taste goes beyond just flavor, and how different dimensions of taste play a role in the overall snacking experienceWhat consumers look for in terms of snack packaging and how it underscores the importance of convenienceAbout the report  Future of Snacking 2024 – Balancing Intent with Indulgence explores the culture of snacking and how snacking is integrated into our daily lives. Built around our proprietary Modern Snacking Framework, this report provides a foundation for identifying opportunities in product development, brand positioning, and marketing. It also examines eight major snacking categories and the attributes consumers consider most important for each. 

 Purchase your copy today to secure preferred pricing (valid through April 15, 2024).  Purchase Future of Snacking 2024 
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Future of Snacking 2024: Balancing Intent with Indulgence

You’ve probably heard us talk about Hartman Retainer Services, or HRS, quite a bit. But you might still be wondering what kind of questions we can answer — and how detailed we can get (spoiler alert: very detailed!). On this week’s podcast, Rob and Alissa from our HRS team are breaking down some examples of recent client requests and the resulting deliverables, ranging from a deep dive on functional mushrooms to an analysis of evolving consumer needs within meat and seafood occasions. 

 Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at how we tackled these unique requests, and how this on-demand consulting service could help your organization.   Explore the benefits of HRS Want to pick Rob’s and Alissa’s brains some more? Let’s talk about how we can tailor an HRS consulting package to your unique priorities and budget. Reach out to Shelley Balanko for a demo call: shelley@hartman-group.com 
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Knowledge on Demand: Inside Hartman Retainer Services

Plus, what the Kroger-Albertson’s merger says about pricing, accessibility, variety, labor and more  Businesses face significant pressure to predict market trends accurately — almost like having a crystal ball. Although seeing into the future is impossible, you can come very close with the right insights and cultural understanding. 

 Hartman Group’s Futurecast 2024 helps guide you through discussions on major changes affecting consumer behavior so you can pinpoint trends and pockets of demand for sustained growth. 

 This week’s podcast offers an inside look at this strategic exercise, using the ongoing Kroger-Albertson's merger as a case study of the intricate challenges that Futurecast can help your business navigate. 

 Ways to engage in Futurecast 2024  This customizable exercise can be done either in-person or virtually:  Ideal for strategy setting with small groups and executive teams: Our team can facilitate an engaging interactive session focused on specific topics noted in Futurecast that are most relevant to your business. Ability to customize for larger groups (10+ participants) with breakout groups or a series of sessions. Ideal as inspiration for large teams or divisions: Our team can give a dedicated Futurecast presentation (with or without Q&A;) to inform and inspire further internal discussions and initiatives. To learn more about Futurecast and to schedule your session, reach out to Shelley Balanko: shelley@hartman-group.com 
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What’s driving demand: Inside “Futurecast 2024”

We recently had the pleasure of hosting our friend Julie O’Brien, owner of Seattle-based Firefly Kitchens, for a Trend Trek at Hartman Group’s offices. Julie shared an impressive spread of gut-loving sauerkrauts, kimchis and tonics, and taught our team more about the delicate fermentation process behind them.   In this week’s podcast, Robert and Melissa break down (pun intended) highlights and key learnings from the Trek: Our favorite bites and recipe ideas from the tastingThe benefits of fermented foods, immunity to digestion to microbiome healthChallenges faced by fermented food producers, like pasteurization requirements Plus, get our take on how the growing consumer interest in fermented foods ladders up to other trends we’re seeing in both the health and wellness and sustainability spaces. 
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Whole Foods Market and Its Outsized Influence on Food Culture

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