Posts Tagged: cooking
Hispanics influence overall food consumption trends in the United States
Stove top-cooked rice and bowls of richly flavored soup are frequent choices for Hispanics when consuming afternoon meals, a habit that has been influencing overall consumption trends in the United States, according to National Eating Trends study.
While sandwiches reign as the choice lunchtime item for Hispanics and non-Hispanics alike (18 percent of Hispanics compared to 38 percent of non-Hispanics), as the largest meal of the day for most Latinos, the meal not only includes rice (13 percent of Hispanics compared to 1 percent of non-Hispanics) but also a diverse range of lunchtime options, most of which is cooked at home. Evidence shows that rice dishes are homemade or partly homemade, and prepared using oil and spices, rather than "heat-and-eat or pre-flavored offerings."
"Eating and meal preparation habits can be very diverse by levels of acculturation, and by country of origin. Hispanics tend to continue to eat traditional food and beverages many years after arriving in the U.S., however as they became more acculturated, they expand their repertoire and include more American type dishes. Hispanics, especially the least acculturated, have a preference for scratch cooking, fresh and natural ingredients, but they certainly use packaged goods in their everyday lives," said a spokesman for NPD, a market research firm.
NPD's NET (National Eating Trends) Hispanic, a yearlong study revolving around Hispanics' consumption and purchasing, identified Hispanics purchasing habits so that marketers could gain an understanding of what items sell well, and to use that demographic as a prototype for shoppers in America. "Pockets of behaviors" have been identified, showing how Hispanics have impacted the food market. The availability of mangos, the consumption of Hispanic soft drinks, and ready-made cultural delicacies such as empandas has made this fact apparent.
"As Hispanics become an even greater influence on our culture and society, marketers would be wise to engage them in a manner that reflects their behaviors," said Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst. "For example, rice is currently thought of as a dinnertime item, but perhaps it's time to rethink this, given the ways it is consumed among Hispanics."
Based on the eating habits of Latinos, there will likely be a development of fast food trends centered around rice as a component in main dishes, or it will be served in lieu of french fries or other side items.
Source: Published originally on the LatinPost.com as Biting Latinos' Lunchtime Habits: Hispanics Influence Overall Consumption Trends in the United States by Nicole Akoukou Thompson, February 5, 2014.
New Food Trends for Latina families
A new study released by Meredith Hispanic Ventures looks at identifying the shopping, cooking, and eating habits of the modern Latina family.
Since Hispanics currently represent 16 percent of the total U.S. population, have a predominately larger household, and spend more money on groceries than non-Hispanic households, it is critical that marketers understand the role that food plays in the lives of Latinas. In order to gain deeper insight into the changing food consumption behaviors in the Latina marketplace, the research department at Hispanic Ventures tapped into their “Entre Nosotras” (“Between Us”) database of 5,000 loyal and influential subscribers to conduct the food trend report.
Among the survey’s findings:
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Nutrition matters to Latinas, with nearly 4 in 5 respondents reading nutrition labels. Hispanics care about purchasing foods low in fat, high in fiber, and low in sugar; and more than half of respondents buy organic products.
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Latinas said they are not only shopping the Hispanic aisle – they have eclectic palettes and enjoy cooking a wide variety of foods. These aspiring epicureans want to learn more about global cuisines, and they continue to seek samples and coupons to learn about new products.
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Similar to the general market, convenience is very important to Latinas. Respondents said they use disposable plates, towels and utensils, and they buy frozen vegetables, canned soups, and protein bars.
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Latinas are connected online, with nearly half of respondents saying they use a mobile or smart phone to assist them while shopping. The report showed that 55 percent of Latinas who use recipes get them from the internet, and 60 percent search for recipes in Spanish. Smart phones, tablets and computers provide Latinas with the convenience and simplicity they crave.
Source: Published originally on HispanicPRpro as Meredith Hispanic Ventures releases New Food Trends Report, March 14, 2011.
/span>Hispanic Millennials and Healthy Eating.
Adult Hispanic Millennials love traditional Latin foods and are more likely than non-Hispanics to cook with fresh ingredients. They are also more likely to enjoy cooking and to use fresh ingredients than their non-Hispanic peers, this according to a report by Insight Tr3s, based on an analysis of Simmons data on traditional foods and cooking habits among adult Hispanic Millennials (ages 18 to 29).
Among some of the findings:
Traditional Hispanic/Spanish and American Foods
- More than 8 out of 10 adult Hispanic Millennials enjoy eating traditional Hispanic/Spanish food.
- A slightly smaller majority – 7 out of 10 – enjoy eating traditional American food.
- Close to half (48%) buy more Hispanic/Spanish foods and products than American.
Cooking and Food Preparation
Compared with non-Hispanic Millennials, Hispanic Millennials like cooking more and have more of a tendency to use fresh ingredients. Foreign-born and US-born Hispanics enjoy cooking, though US-born Hispanics are developing more of a taste for ready-to-eat foods.
- Hispanics are slightly more likely than non-Hispanics to really enjoy cooking.
- Compared with non-Hispanics, Hispanics are more likely to look for the freshest ingredients when they cook.
- Hispanics are more likely than non-Hispanics to look for organic or natural foods when shopping.
- Hispanics are far less likely than non-Hispanics to say simple, easy-to-prepare foods are their favorites (41% Hispanic, 52% non-Hispanic).
- Overall, Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to eat prepared foods. Hispanics are much less likely to eat store-made, pre-cooked meals (20% Hispanic, 29% non-Hispanic).
- Hispanics are also less likely than non-Hispanics to say they don’t have time to prepare and eat healthy meals (26% Hispanic, 32% non-Hispanic).
- Overall, Hispanics 18-29 are more likely to report an interest in nutrition and dieting. Hispanics 25-29 are more likely than 18-24s to focus on nutrition and health, while the 18-24 segment has a slightly higher tendency to diet to lose weight. Foreign-born Hispanics are generally more likely than US-born to report making choices based on health and dieting -- but when it comes to purchase behavior they are as likely or more to buy full-fat dairy products, pre-sweetened cereals, and non-diet cola.
- Hispanics 18-29 are more likely than non-Hispanics to say that nutritional value is the most important factor in what foods they eat.
- Hispanics 25-29 are more likely than 18-24s to say they're trying to eat healthier foods these days.
Hispanics are far more likely than non-Hispanics to purchase full-fat yogurt and smoothies. For pre-sweetened cold cereals, Hispanics also lead non-Hispanics, though US-born are more likely to purchase these.
Source: Insight Tr3s, Hispanic Millennials: How They Feel About Traditional Foods and Cooking, based on Experian Simmons, Winter 2012 NHCS Adult Survey 12-month, September 5, 2012.
Latina moms balance taste, health & convenience
Like a masterful tightrope walker, Hispanic mothers are always concerned with balance, reports Univision Insights Blog. As it is, they already straddle two cultures: they are experiencing and adopting American traditions while holding on to their Hispanic values, traditions and heritage.
According to the MDPA Magazine, one of the elements of their culture that they most want to retain — whether they’re immigrants or U.S. born—is their food and recipes. We know that this passion for food is developed at an early age and heavily influenced by their mothers. Because of that, cooking tends to play much more than a functional role in a Latina mother’s life; it reflects who she is as a mom. In a 2010 Yankelovich Banktract report, 81 percent of Hispanics 16+ agreed that they “put a lot of care and emotion into my cooking” vs. 65 percent of non-Hispanics.
We also know that this passion for food comes with an unwavering commitment to flavor. In focus group research, one mom told us, and many agreed, “I do not have the moral authority to make my kids eat healthy food that doesn’t taste good because I wouldn’t eat it myself.”
Like any other mother in the U.S., Hispanic moms strive for career advancement and work to provide a better financial future for their children. Because of this, Latinas have been left starved for time and more willing to make compromises that buck their Hispanic traditions. Latinas, who tend to cook from scratch more often than non-Hispanics, are increasingly embracing convenience foods like frozen vegetables, canned ingredients, and microwaveable side dishes as they pour themselves into their careers.
A recent syndicated Simmons study of Latinas 18+ shows that they are looking for solutions. Since 2006, the number of Latinas that answered “yes” to the statement “easy to prepare foods are my favorite” grew 16 percent vs. no growth for non-Hispanic women. Latina women also showed significantly more growth than non-Latinas across convenience products including hot snacks and frozen pizza, vegetables and waffles/pancakes over the same time period.
But the need for convenience does not mean that they are not concerned with nutrition. In fact, research shows that Latinas have become increasingly health-conscious consumers. The Latina mother also considers herself a food influencer with 31 percent saying “I’m usually the first to try new health foods” vs. just 16 percent of non-Hispanic moms.
For Latinas, the food options that balance taste, health and convenience are the ones they will most be drawn to.
Latinas are clearly sophisticated consumers who want the best for their children—a life filled with cherished family moments and good meals, a life of better opportunities and a healthy life. The marketers who understand the cultural influences Hispanic mothers face when providing for their families and develop products and marketing campaigns accordingly will be the ones to grow their sales.
Based in New York City, Liz Sanderson is senior director of Brand Solutions at Univision Communications Inc. Her team advises clients in the CPG and retail industries on how to develop and execute their strategies to drive sales with Hispanics.
Source: Univision Insights Blog, Latina Moms Balance Taste, Health & Convenience, January 2012.