Allrecipes.com 2012 Trends Measuring Cup Report

the Measuring Cup What American Families are Eating and Cooking 2012 InsIghTs & TrendsWe have watched a healthy eating attitude come into fullforce this past year with more consumers than ever mak-ing healthier choices and increasing the use of naturalingredients in their everyday meals and snacking. Theconcept of healthier eating ranges from eating less meat,considering smaller portions, and knowing more aboutwhere your food comes from as well as what’s in the fooditself. All consumers are taking a more sophisticated ap-proach in their everyday cooking by using simple ingredi-ents and fresh foods.As the #1 online food destination with more than half abillion annual visits, Allrecipes.com is uniquely positionedto recognize the attitudes, behaviors and trends influenc-ing the shopping carts and kitchens of the American fam-ily. With a mix of cooks spanning ages, cooking levels and shopping behavior and how it relates to food culture andregions, Allrecipes’ active community offers key insights lifestyle choices.into the current and emerging trends among home cooksfrom coast to coast. This year we partnered with The Here’s what we found as the most compelling and signifi-Hartman Group and leveraged its ongoing research and cant emerging consumer trends for 2012:expertise in understanding the complexities of consumers’InsIght 1: Meet The FlexitarianQ: These days if you’re not a vegetarian or a carnivore, Why are you cutting back on meat? what are you? A: A Flexitarian 80% Eat healthierFlexitarianism, the act of consciously cutting back onmeat in your diet but still enjoying a good serving of 38% I enjoy meatless dishesanimal protein when the timing is right, is gaining main-stream momentum. Of course, health concerns are theprimary motivation behind flexitarian eating, followed by 32% Save moneythe growing appeal of vegetarian dishes, along with costsavings. But cooks are no longer treating vegetables as 16% Environmental concernsa meat-like substitute. For inspiration they are findingideas in cultures with an inherent knowledge of vegetablepreparation (i.e., Asia, Italy, France, India) and mixing 13% I am against animal crueltyclassic techniques with modern interpretations to createfull-flavored meals. 8% Diet restrictionsMore than 1/3 of home cooks report eating less meat 5% Friends and family are cutting backcompared with a year ago. Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 1

InsIght 2: Do I Want this In My Food? %yEs %nOBack to Food Basics Antioxidants 69% Pronounceable Ingredients 54% Organic Ingredients 41%This is about more than consumers buying local from Farmer Bob or Fewer Ingredients 39%canning the summer crop from their personal veggie garden. From aninterest in the Paleo Diet (based on the hunter-gatherer approach of MSG 73%lean meats, no starch, ample produce) to the consumption of fewer Trans Fats 73%carbohydrates, the average consumer desires to return to a “cleaner” Saturated Fats 70% way of eating. They are limiting highly pro- High-fructose Corn Syrup 64% cessed foods and instead seeking foods and beverages with antioxidants, no hormones, Hydrogenated Oils 57% and a list of ingredients they can recognize Sodium Nitrate 56% and pronounce. Consumers are increasingly Partially Hydrogenated Oils 55% trying to avoid MSG, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated foods, benzoate Artificial Colors 53% preservatives, and salt. As consumers inten- Benzoate Preservatives 52% sify their focus on health and wellness, the Artificial Sweeteners 51% resulting attitude is that “processed foods” GMOs 50% may be contributing to weight problems, behavioral issues, and/or food allergies. Corn Sugar 44%InsIght 3: Label Listings Are you reading food labels more or less than you used to?Consumers are becoming vigilant label readers with calories receiving the great-est attention as they scan packages and boxes. Given the rash of contradictionsthey face on a daily basis, much of the label reading is part of a common senseapproach to determining what’s sensible to eat, and even enjoy. In most cases 57% Morewe’ve found what they are looking for is the story behind the product, seekingout or trying to avoid key ingredients, judging the healthfulness of a product,or simply looking for an expiration date. Consumers themselves say they readinformation on a product label for a number of different reasons: Health, curi- 43% Lessosity, and weight management are primary considerations, which our researchconfirms is very often aspirational in nature.What motivatesyou to try minidesserts? InsIght 4: Mini-Me(% of homecooks) 46% of home cooks report eating a mini-dessert in the past year, while 29% made the tiny treats. The most popular mini sweets, based38% Portion Control on searches on Allrecipes.com, are cake balls, cake pops, mini-cheese-30% Cute and Fun cakes, mini-muffins, and mini-cupcakes. Many a big-time retailer also joined in on this wee treat trend by offering tiny baked goods. Previ-16% Variety ously, those looking for a miniature sweet treat often found themselves6% Curiosity languishing in the late afternoon with a rather soulless candy bar that left them feeling guilty plus a little empty inside. Enter guilt-free permission for10% Other the home baker to make her own tasty, bite-size indulgences with high-quality ingredients and served in playful portions. The popular petite treats help cooks keep an eye on both the waistline and the pocketbook while deliciously satisfying sweet cravings. Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 2

InsIght 5: home economicsCoupon collecting and bargain hunting continue to be a the economy has been down for a while. how arepart of consumers’ behavior, and they are seeking bar- your purchasing behaviors changing over time?gains in a variety of ways including online deals, couponsclipped from the newspaper or weekly circulars, and evendownloading mobile coupons. However, what’s importantto note is—while anxiety and recession pressures stillprompt consumers to pursue a good bargain—a new valueparadigm has emerged, specifically relating to food. Con-sumers now seek: Im still very careful• Quality = fresh, less processed, sustainable, etc. about spending (80%)• Experience = consumption enjoyment (indulgence) or The economy transfer of knowledge (culinary know-how or product hasnt changed my narratives) purchase behaviors (11%)• Lack of waste = product right-sizing Im splurging more on bargains (6%)So while most consumers continue to keep a watchfuleye on their pocketbooks, they are not abandoning their I’m splurging moreinterest in having or creating a quality food experience for on lots of things (1%)themselves, their families, and friends. Im done with being frugal (1%)InsIght 6: You Inspire Me 0% Twitter 2% Food TrucksGiven these attitudes, it’s no surprise that home cooks look to a variety ofresources for mealtime inspiration. Food websites are the most popular tool 9% Facebook Postswith food-focused TV programming, magazines, and email newsletters alsoat the top of the heap. Mom’s cooking, though inspiring to some, is having 9% Food or Mom Bloggersa hard time keeping up with the likes of food personalities and the 10% Online Food Videosability to search any time of day or night for a recipe idea on a tablet,smartphone, or laptop. 13% Moms Cooking What inspires you to cook 18% Grocery Coupons new dishes for your family? 20% Restaurants 21% Newspaper Food Sections 25% New Grocery Store Items 33% Friends 40% Email Newsletters 43% Food TV Shows 48% Magazines 68% Food Websites Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 3

InsIght 7: devicesWhile most consumers appear to still use their laptops and tablet Device how are you usingdesktops to search for that perfect recipe, smartphones 37% technology for mealrule when it comes to high use across multiple tasks 17% planning/preparation?ranging from creating shopping lists to looking up recipe 11%ingredients, all with in-store ease. Visits to Allrecipes.com 13%  Finding Recipesfrom a mobile device were up 218% year-over-year in  Creating Shopping Lists 21%November 2011, while downloads of the wildly popular All-recipes Dinner Spinner app reached 10 million. It doesn’t  While Grocery Shoppingreally matter whether a home cook is keying smartphone  Watching Cooking Videos smartphoneapps in the supermarket aisle or setting up her laptop 37%  While Cookingor iPad in the local café to plan Saturday’s dinner party,mobile technology enhances her ability to seek, find, and 40%notate whenever and wherever the mood for food arises. 51%And don’t forget the phone’s role in snapping and post- 6%ing photos of recent culinary creations and adventures to 20%show friends on all the various social networks. Laptop Desktop 87% 83% 29% 27% 3% 3% 33% 29% 45% 11%InsIght 8: What’s On Your Fridge door? Ketchup has reigned as king of U.S. condiments since 1876 when Mr. H. J. Heinz popularized the bright red sauce (earlier, tomatoes weren’t popular with Americans), but these days salsa is nipping at its heels, and mayonnaise is hanging tough. Often considered the low- brow condiment, mayonnaise has been enjoying a little revival of sorts, akin to the culinary naughtiness we’ve been experiencing with “Bacon Mania.” Meanwhile, salsa can’t get too smug as it’s getting a whole lot of competition from the likes of Sriracha sauce, fish sauce, and hot wasabi sauce. Food cultures reflect ethnic cultures as pantries and fridge doors are being stocked with a myriad of global condiments to squirt, smear, and drizzle in our increasing desire for diverse cuisines and flavors. Which condiments have you purchased in the past 6 months? 9% 5% 4% Dijon Mustard 80% Sweet & Sour Sauce 44% Sweet Mustard 42% Hoisin Sauce 42% Tzatziki 20% Miso 20% Yellow Mustard 86% Horseradish 65% Fish Sauce 24% 3% Hot Sauce 78% Wasabi Sauce 36%Ketchup 93% Tahini 27% Steak Sauce 57% Liquid Smoke 37% Salsa 91% Mayonnaise 91% Sriracha 14% Aioli 14% Mole 16% Tamari 16% Harissa Chimichurri Ponzu Vegenaise Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 4

InsIght 9: What is this?!Anytime is a good Chia seeds Tried & Liked or Interested. . . . . . . 29% Tried & Hated or Not Interested . .28% What is this?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44%Time for a snack too healthy for Most toasted seaweed Tried & Liked or Interested. . . . . . . 29% Turns out adults Tried & Hated or Not Interested . . 53% snack just as often What is this?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18% as children. Men and women snack about On the Fence the same amount Kale Chips Tried & Liked or Interested . . . . . .40% and, in general, Tried & Hated or Not Interested . . 39% snacking has be- What is this?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22% come as culturally relevant to consum- Winning ers as meal time. Re- toasted Pumpkin, Tried & Liked or Interested . . . . . . 76% search confirms that squash or gourd Tried & Hated or Not Interested . .22% snacking accounts seeds What is this?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2%for nearly half of all eating in the United States, so it’s onlynatural to conclude the consumer craves healthy snacks, Whole grain Tried & Liked or Interested . . . . . . 77%too. With all that said, when whole grain chips and toasted Chips Tried & Hated or Not Interested . . 21%seeds, beans, and nuts begin to gain popularity—and kale What is this?? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2%chips are a polarizing discussion—it’s noteworthy.InsIght 10: Love the sandwichA sandwich is completely customizable, convenient, and appropriate for any mealof the day—what’s not to love? The recent inclusion of more sophisticated, higherquality ingredients, from herb-infused bread to grass-fed pork and innovativecondiments (e.g. caramelized onions, watercress, Sriracha sauce), has elevated thehumble sandwich to one of today’s best examples of comfort food. Views of sand-wich-related recipes increased 16% on Allrecipes.com in 2011. One reason for thisrenewed popularity is the roving urban food truck that has introduced consumersto higher-quality sandwich options at budget-friendly prices. Consumers are seek-ing Mediterranean spreads such as hummus and baba ganoush mingling with freshfarmers’ market offerings, including artisan pickles such as beets, carrots, cukes, andgarlic. Grilled cheese has made a comeback, but beyond simple singles, consumerswant more mature flavors, while demanding higher quality cheeses, too.have you tried any Pulled Sandwiches With 77% 55%of the following Pork Flavored Breadssandwiches? Paninis With Grilled Cheese 59% 19% Artisan Cheeses With Fruit Sandwiches With Mexican 59% 18% Flavorful Spreads Tortas Hummus On Vietnamese 59% 4% Pita Bread Banh-mi Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 5

BOnus: What were the About Allrecipes.comfastest growing and Allrecipes, the world’s largest food site, receives 750 million annual visits fromdeclining ingredient home cooks who discover and share food experiences through recipes, re- views, photos, profiles, and blog posts. For 14 years, the Seattle-based site hassearches during 2011? served as a dynamic, indispensable re- source for cooks of all skill levels seeking trusted recipes, entertaining ideas, everyday and holiday meal solutions and practical cooking tips. Allrecipes’ Year-Over-Year % Increase global, multiplatform brand provides insights into the kitchens and cooking Half and Half 43% passions of home cooks everywhere with 17 websites, 9 mobile apps, and 13 eBooks serving cooks in 23 countries Quinoa 40% and 11 languages. Allrecipes is a division of The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. For additional information regarding All- recipes, please visit www.allrecipes.com. Chickpeas 37% About the Ground Chicken 30% hartman group The Hartman Group, located in Bellevue, Mayonnaise 27% Washington, is the predominant consumer culture consultancy in America today 25% Scallops serving consumer packaged goods companies, re- tailers and organizations in foods and beverages, foodservice, personal care, 22% Avocado shopper marketing and other business- es that comprise the consumer market- place. Since 1989, The Hartman Group 18% Phyllo has blended primary qualitative, quanti- tative and trends research and consult- ing to understand the subtle complexi- 17% Blackberries ties of consumer and shopper behavior. It specializes in understanding how consumer attitudes, lifestyle and behaviors lead to purchase. To learn more 15% Caramel about how The Hartman Group stays sharply focused on how consumers live, Year-Over-Year % Decrease shop and use brands and products visit www.hartman-group.com. Please Contact:MEthODOLOgy Data provided is from an online survey of 1,391 Allrecipescommunity members. Survey was fielded October 21 to 27, 2011. Additional stephanie Robinettperspective is provided through The Hartman Group’s intellectual property Director, Communicationsand consumer data. For more information on survey methodology such as 206.708.9271response counts for each question or details on question order or format, stephanier@allrecipes.complease feel free to contact us. Allrecipes.com Measuring Cup 2012 Insights & Trends 6

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Allrecipes.com 2012 Trends Measuring Cup Report

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