May 2012 Issue

The Gourmet Business team members are strong supporters of the green movement. I have seen many signs that American consumers are more eco-sensitive than ever, and are increasingly demanding earth-friendly products. I see that green chic has graduated from a fad, to the beginnings of a permanent shift in demand and consumption practices. I realized how much things are changing just the other day as I observed the dedication ceremony for an electric car charging station in a shopping center parking lot, indicating that electric vehicles are moving toward achieving greater market acceptance.

There is still much work to be done to educate everyone about this important issue, but we are experiencing the baby steps that eventually lead to large-scale change. I hope that suppliers and retailers alike are aware of the growing environmental understanding, and are doing their part to feature products that have been purposefully designed to be eco-friendly. In this issue, we highlight some products that serve as examples of good green design.

I am doing my part to save the environment by drinking some soda! Well, not exactly, but the soda maker is another product that has grown remarkably because of the positive difference it can make in the amount of plastic recycling that is generated. I have read reports of the consecutive strong quarters of performance by Bed, Bath & Beyond, and some have claimed it’s due in part to the sales of soda makers. This month, our editors investigate what’s new and exciting in this popular category that is helping save the Earth one sip at a time.

America’s other favorite beverage also has a new twist. The single-serve coffee business has shown strong growth, and continues to evolve. We uncover the latest trends, news and new products from the category to help you stay on top of the craze.

I would like to welcome the newest member of our talented team, Gregory Johnson, who will add his own entrepreneurial energy to our brand. Greg will be working with our clients on the west coast to uphold our company mission to support the great suppliers who provide exciting products to our industry.

Finally, we have shared our views and knowledge of the market with you over the last couple of years, now it’s your turn to share your thoughts with us. We are always striving to make our publication the best resource about our industry, and the only way to effectively achieve this goal is to collect feedback from our audience. Below you will see a link to a short survey that will provide us with useful information that will aid us in refining our product to better suit your needs. We would appreciate you taking a moment to help us help you.