What we know, and love

During uncertain times, people cling to what they know. When it came to dining choices during the COVID-19 pandemic, this could not be more true. Comfort food made a significant comeback in 2020, with two in three Americans reverting back to childhood food favorites and eating more comfort food during the pandemic, according to a national survey by OnePoll for Farm Rich.

Speaking of comfort food, FSR has a prime opportunity for all comfort food lovers.

In partnership with QSR and FSR magazines, Bel Foodservice has launched “Say Cheese! a Craveable Comfort Recipe Contest.” We’re looking for your favorite comfort food recipes using either Boursin Professional Gournay Cheese, Price*s Pimiento Cheese, or Merkts Cheese. There is a $5,000 grand prize, with three $1,000 recipe brand prizes and the opportunity to be featured in the brands’ 2022 advertising campaigns. Click here to find out more.

Comfort foods beckon happiness

Two in three Americans are reverting to childhood food favorites and eating more comfort food during the pandemic, according to a study encompassing 2,000 Americans by OnePoll and Farm Rich.

Classic favorites increased in popularity, including pizza (55 percent), hamburgers (48 percent), ice cream (46 percent), French fries (45 percent), mac and cheese (38 percent) and spaghetti and meatballs (32 percent).

The reasons consumers are drawn back to comfort foods may be due to the happiness associated with such beloved food classics as 41 percent said they reach for comfort food to bring happiness. 

“When things are uneasy, it’s the little joys that get us through, whether that’s FaceTiming with family and friends or stronger bonds made over homecooked meals,” says Ciera Womack, Farm Rich Senior Marketing Manager. “And as these responses show, sometimes it’s seeking comfort in certain foods which provide us more relief.”

Click here to find out more about the Craveable Comfort Recipe Contest sponsored by Bel Foodservice and compete for the $5,000 prize.

Operators add comfort food to menu lineup

Restaurant operators became aware of the consumer call for comfort food classics likely driven by the stress and anxiety from the pandemic. Nearly a third (31 percent) of fine dining operators and around one in five family and casual dining operators added comfort items since the rise of COVID-19, according to the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Trends Survey from December 2020.

In the family dining sector, 18 percent of operators added comfort food with casual dining seeing a similar percentage of comfort food menu additions at 20 percent. Quick service operators added comfort food at a rate of 10 percent, fast casual at 13 percent, and 15 percent of coffee and snack operators added comfort to their menus. Fine dining operators were the highest at 31 percent.

Click here to find out more about the Craveable Comfort Recipe Contest sponsored by Bel Foodservice and compete for the $5,000 prize.

Customer dining habits change based on longing for comfort classics

The process of choosing a restaurant may come down to whether that restaurant has those feel-good comfort classics now, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant Trends Survey indicates. Thirty-eight percent of customers who plan to eat on premises said the availability of comfort food on a menu would make them more likely to choose one restaurant over another in the coming months. For customers who plan to order takeout or delivery, it was 33 percent.

Generationally, Baby Boomers were the most likely to say comfort food availability could influence their restaurant choice, with 42 percent of in-person diners and 38 percent of off premise customers considering it in selecting a restaurant. Next came Gen Z adults at 38 percent for both on premise and off premise customers.

Of millenials, 36 percent of those planning to dine in person said it could be a factor while 32 percent planning to order takeout or delivery would consider comfort foods on the menu. Thirty-eight percent of Gen Xers dining in person planned to take comfort food into account in restaurant selection, and 27 percent of those ordering takeout or delivery would.

Click here to find out more about the Craveable Comfort Recipe Contest sponsored by Bel Foodservice and compete for the $5,000 prize.

Comfort food craze will continue past COVID-19

This past year was a record year for comfort food purchases by American consumers. The average person enjoyed comfort foods at least five times a week and snacks six times a week in 2020. 

The trend toward comfort food doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast, with 69 percent saying they will continue to enjoy the same amount of comfort food that they are now, post-pandemic.

Click here to find out more about the Craveable Comfort Recipe Contest sponsored by Bel Foodservice.