KC/In Conversation: "The Evolving Flavor & Price of Consumer Trends"

Content Guy's Note: Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to facilitate a panel discussion on the subject of consumer trends at the terrific Western Michigan University (WMU) Food Marketing Conference. Our participants were Don Sanderson, CMO at Meijer; Don Fitzgerald, the former CEO of Dom's Kitchen & Market; Herb Smith, VP of Off-Premise Customer Development and Category Management at Gallo, and Dan Wandel, Sr. Director of Category Insights at Mark Anthony Group. Our conversation focused on two primary - and sometimes contradictory - trends: the growth of culinary and flavor, and the increased importance of price.

I thought this was a fascinating conversation that focused on both strategy and tactics, with something to learn for folks at various levels of the food chain.

Enjoy.