Crackerology Red Wine
and Rosemary Cracker Kit
"During the pandemic, premium products
were responsible for a lot of the CPG growth," says
Driggs. "Maybe regular product wasn't available
so consumers traded up and may have said 'this
is fantastic, let me stick with it,' even as supply
caught up. Now, people are being thoughtful on
how to save money over here, to create a nice
experience in another area."
The Fresh Market, which has 159 stores across
22 states, has been planning for larger, home-
based gatherings for this winter holiday season
for quite some time, Diane Cleven, the retailer's
vice president of deli, CMS, sushi and bakery told
Specialty Food.
"We are a special-event driven store, so the
holidays are extremely important to us," she says.
"We start planning immediately after the holiday
season each year."
Among the prepare-at-home meal starters the
retailer recommends is caviar like Farmed Osetra
and Farmed Sevruga served in an unexpected way.
"Ditch the traditional blinis and pop open
a bag of chips," the gourmet grocer says on its
website. "Yes—crunchy, lightly salted potato chips.
They're unpretentious and unbelievably good
topped with fine caviar, a dollop of crème fraiche
or sour cream, and fresh lemon."
It also recommends elevating holiday
celebrations by serving tinned seafood packaged in
eye-catching vessels such as Patagonia Provisions
Smoked Mussels, Porthos
sardines imported from
Portugal, Matiz Octopus, and
Serrats Spanish imported fish.
UNFI's Taylor says that
trends like sustainability and
wellness may also impact
appetizer selections this
year. "Consumer interest in
farm-to-table ingredients has
grown, so holiday appetizers
may emphasize fresh and
sustainable locally sourced
ingredients," she says.
"Holiday appetizers may also
incorporate less meat and
more plants, aligning with the
growing interest in plant-based
and flexitarian diets."
Backyard Brine
Handmade Artisan Pickles
FALL 2022 27
Julie Gallagher is director,
content development for the
Specialty Food Association.
