Trend Trekking with The Hartman Group: The Lowdown on Injera, Ethiopian Cuisine, Gluten-Free, Digestion and More

11/11/22 • 23 min

In this podcast, we present a Hartman Group review of dozens of trend treks our company has made to explore the frontiers of food culture, health and wellness and sustainability.
Hartman Group trend treks have a long history of exploring these topics and more in destinations in the Pacific Northwest (and virtually) and have ranged from company treks to tea shops, cannabis dispensaries, chocolate factories, recycling centers and food trucks to Starbuck's Reserve Roastery and Bastyr University's vegan cafeteria (to name but a few unique trek destinations).
In this episode, we discuss previous trend treks and then focus in on exploration of injera (a fermented, pancake-like flatbread derived from the grain teff), Ethiopian cuisine and related topics like immunity, fermentation, gluten-free, digestion, plant-based and health and wellness.
Listen in and learn more about how injera meets many trend-forward consumer needs and may also represent unique opportunities for food and beverage marketers as well as restaurant operators.
Interested in how topics like fermentation are influencing consumers and the food and beverage marketplace? The Hartman Group’s Food & Technology 2022 study (which is now fielding) builds on and updates our 2019 research and explores evolving consumer awareness, attitudes, usage, and drivers around a range of food-tech advances and innovations. In particular, the study explores technologies related to food production and in-home food management through the consumer lens.
You can download a copy of the Food & Technology 2022 study overview and order form here.
Learn more about how Hartman’s syndicated reports can be an essential resource to help you navigate the way forward in these uncertain times. Contact: [email protected]More information about Hartman Group capabilities and services is available here.

If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more.

If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more.

Previous Episode

Consumer Plans for the Holidays – FMI and Hartman Group Discuss Report Highlights

In this podcast, Hartman Group CEO Laurie Demeritt and Steve Markenson, FMI's Research Director, discuss highlights from FMI's recently released Holiday Shopping report (research conducted by The Hartman Group).

The report is Part VI of FMI’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022 series, an expansive survey of food shoppers’ journeys. Holiday Shopping explores the sentiment and behaviors of consumers as they head into the holiday season.

The report finds that as they contemplate the holidays ahead, 45% of consumers report being most concerned about rising meal prices as compared to other holiday expenses. Fortunately, most shoppers indicate they are in control of their grocery budgets, with 71% of consumers making some adjustment to their holiday meal shopping to adapt to the changing economic landscape.

Listen in as Laurie and Steve analyze other notable findings from the report, which include:

Widespread declines in consumer concerns over COVID-19 and how that's influencing grocery shopping and plans for the holidays.
Efforts and behaviors made by consumers at a range of income levels to adjust to inflation and rising prices especially in terms of food shopping, holiday meal planning and food consumption at home.
Consumer thrift and savings strategies employed for grocery shopping, including use of loyalty programs, private label and more.
Changes in use of online grocery shopping among different demographics—in particular, younger shoppers.

The podcast concludes with in-depth discussion of how consumers are planning to celebrate the holidays ahead including Thanksgiving, the December holidays, and New Year's in terms of gatherings, festivities, travel, shopping, and meals.

Further information about this report and FMI’s U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2022 series is available here.

Curious about other trends relating to how consumers are shopping for and sourcing groceries and meals today? Information on The Hartman Group’s newly released Food Sourcing in America 2022 report is available here.

More information about Hartman Group capabilities and services is available here.

If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more.

Next Episode

What’s Important When Choosing to Dine at a Restaurant?

In this podcast, we discuss what’s important to consumers as they return to sit-down dining at restaurants.

Drawing on our proprietary Compass Eating Occasions Database with data from 2021, we discuss the who, what, when and why behind restaurant occasions which we define in this podcast as any eating or drinking occasion that physically took place at a restaurant or food service establishment (not including takeout or delivery).

Our analysis includes outlets like fast food restaurants, local casual eateries, national chains, cafes, high end and fine dining, restaurants, as well as food courts and cafeterias.

Listen in to learn more about sit-down dining occasions today as we examine:

Key differences between restaurant occasions that take place when dining-out alone versus those take place with others
Dining-out occasions that take place in the morning versus lunch and dinner
Key demographic differences between generations when dining out
Taste experiences on restaurant occasions
Need states on restaurant occasions (including connecting socially with orders, enjoying local artisanal foods and convenience)
Differences between parent and non-parent households on restaurant occasions

We finish with insights and strategic recommendations for the restaurant industry on what stakeholders should take into consideration in order to appeal to consumers today, with analysis of the effects of inflation on dining out, the importance of employees who are treated well, and the lingering concerns among diners about issues relating to COVID-19.

Interested to learn more about consumer food and beverage sourcing from restaurants? Our Food Sourcing in America report offers a comprehensive consumer-centered perspective on key topics, motivations, tensions and drivers associated with food shopping and food procurement (including restaurants), both today and in the future.

Download a copy of the Food Sourcing in America reportoverview and order form here.

Want to learn more about the Compass Eating Occasions Database and consulting services that relate? Please contact Shelley Balanko, Ph.D., Senior Vice President: [email protected]

If you like these insights, subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter where we share data-packed infographics, insightful articles, food & beverage industry trends and more.