The Foodie Phenomenon

The ever-escalating foodie movement is continuing to blur the lines between specialty and mainstream foods. Three-quarters (76%) of U.S. adults enjoy talking about new/interesting foods; 70% consider themselves knowledgeable about food; and 53% regularly watch cooking shows, according to the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) Specialty Food Consumers 2012.

Two-thirds (68%) of adults now purchase specialty foods for everyday home meals, reports NASFT; 34% do so for a…