You may have seen the controversy around Alexandre Family Farms and the alleged mistreatment of cows that would invalidate many of the organic farm’s certifications. 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
• Corruption and Consumer Fraud at Leading “Humane” Dairy Raise Questions About State of the U.S. Dairy Industry, Farm Forward
• [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.

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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 choices
• Why taste goes beyond just flavor, and how different dimensions of taste play a role in the overall snacking experience
• What consumers look for in terms of snack packaging and how it underscores the importance of convenience

About 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).

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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.

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

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.