Whether you love the term or hate it, the "foodie" movement isn't showing any signs of waning—and that's a good thing, because food manufacturers and retailers are sitting up and paying attention to foodies, offering more healthful, local, organic or natural, and exotic food items in mainstream grocery stores.

According to an article in the February issue of Food Technology magazine, the line between specialty and mainstream foods continues to blur, ensuring that more consumers in more parts of the country will have access to "specialty" foods—which can include healthier options, local and organic products, and foreign ingredients and products.

According to Food Technology:

• Three-quarters (76 percent) of U.S. adults enjoy talking about new or interesting foods. 
• Two-thirds (68 percent) of adults purchase specialty foods for everyday home meals. Chocolate, specialty oils, cheese, and yogurt/kefir are purchased by more than half of specialty food shoppers, and yogurt/kefir is the fastest growing sector.
• More than half (57 percent) of specialty food shoppers bought Italian specialty items in 2012 and 56 percent bought Mexican products. 
• 42 percent of foodies count calories, more than twice the percentage of the general population.

Source: Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) (2013, February 13). 'Foodie' movement gains momentum. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 2, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2013/02/130213152124.htm

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