Research has shown that taste is the primary motivator for plant-based food purchases, and the good news is that the food produced by many plant-based brands is super tasty! But many consumers don’t yet know this. So how do you get a consumer to taste your product before they purchase it?
ProVeg International has recently published a whitepaper which details the most effective ways to leverage taste marketing to attract new customers. These strategies include engaging with:
- Quick commerce
- Influencer giveaways
- Chefs and food services
- Food trucks
- In-store discounts
Food service as a taste-based marketing strategy
Food service in particular is a great taste-centred marketing strategy. Consumers are more likely to experiment with new flavours when dining out than when ordering delivery food, and over half of millennials believe that a new and unique dining experience is an important consideration when choosing where to eat. Together, these factors create a huge opportunity for plant-based brands to reach new consumers.
Moreover, having a food-service presence is a great way to build brand awareness. This demonstrable consumer base will help you pitch your product to new retailers, and will reinforce retail sales. As Nestlé’s executive team explains: “The lowest risk way to try a new plant-based product is [to sample it] in a restaurant or canteen. If you like it in one setting, you’re more likely to like it in the other.” That’s why Nestlé ensures that its Garden Gourmet range is available to both retail customers and food-service professionals.
If you want to know more about how to effectively partner with chefs and food service to market your product, or if you are interested in learning about the four other taste marketing strategies, click here to read the full article.
For deep dives into these and other topics, check out ProVeg International’s full catalogue of articles on the ProVeg New Food Hub.
