JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Last week, a new report on the eating habits of Americans was released, exploring some of the major shifts in eating habits over the years. “The Evolution of Eating” report, compiled using research conducted by Acosta Marketing in combination with the company’s experience working with the nation’s largest CPG manufacturers and retailers, explores trends from the creation of “hybrid homemade meals” to the rise of snacking.

“We have seen a seismic shift in consumers’ attitudes toward food,” said Colin Stewart, SVP at Acosta, a full-service sales and marketing agency for CPG companies. “Eating has evolved right along with society, and consumer brands and retailers must consider the dynamics, demands and preferences of today’s modern family to deliver successful food and meal solutions.”

Some of the findings of the report include:

• Cooking from scratch is being replaced by new meal preparation options such as ready-to-eat and take-and-bake meal solutions, in order to cook “hybrid homemade meals.”
• Nine out of 10 shoppers surveyed said they prefer eating at home (including cooking, bringing prepared items home or having food delivered). Of those, 61% cited comfort, 60% cited cost and 59% cited convenience as the reasons for their preference.
• Millennials reported eating prepared foods from grocery stores at home at a much higher rate (27%) than total U.S. diners (16%).
• Millennials and Gen Xers said they eat at least five meals a day, while Boomers and Silents said they eat less frequently.
• The majority of shoppers (61%) ranked reading food labels as very important to their health and wellness concerns when they shop. More than half those surveyed reported trying to eat more fruits and vegetables in the past year, along with an increased interest in eating more whole grains and buying foods with fewer preservatives.