Baking and cooking food items, including dairy, saw a resurgence in sales during the pandemic, as reported by Dairy Management Inc., through IRi Data Reporting. With 85% of consumers preparing more than 70% of their meals at home, especially younger consumers like Millennials and Generation Z, dairy items seeing a boost are:
- Natural cheese +20%
- Butter +19%
- Cream Cheese +19%
- Sour cream +14%
In comparison, in 2019, 52% of families’ total food spending was away from home. However, consumer mobility – a key factor in at-home versus away-from-home consumption – will likely increase this year as COVID-19 vaccination distribution accelerates.
ADA North East continues to track these consumer trends, and is developing programs to keep dairy sales growing and building trust in our farmers, including:
- Incorporating dairy as part of creative recipes, particularly for younger consumers, through our consumer-facing website, Savor Recipes.
- Tying dairy into home workouts for students and adults using our Sports Nutrition Advisory Panel, the 15-member panel of health and nutrition experts, who offer tips for healthy eating.
- Promoting dairy as a key component of the enjoyable meal occasion while eating at home and while following the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, that keep dairy as its own food group. We utilize nutrition experts as third-party spokespeople to advocate for dairy with their clients and social media followers.
- Sharing stories about dairy farmers and their families through interviews and through our new online series, “This American Dairy Farmer.”
To learn more about ADA North East programs, visit AmericanDairy.com.