The pandemic has led to many of us spending more time at home than ever before. Workers who previously commuted to corporate offices are now working from home offices. Children are attending school online at their dining room tables, rather than in classrooms. Families are streaming movies in their living rooms, rather than going out for entertainment. And mealtimes, well those are most likely being planned in your own home too, as time permits, amongst the mess and chaos of your new norm. Every. Day.
Needless to say, all of this “at-homeness” has led to major changes in America’s eating habits. It seems that more and more of us are coming to realize the importance of a strong immunity and basic overall well-being. Following are some of the changes happening around us and how North Coast Organic is here to help America adjust.
People are more concerned about eating healthy foods.
COVID-19 has made more consumers aware of how healthy foods help support a healthy immune system. As a result, many are seeking out organic foods, avoiding certain ingredients, and taking more time studying food labels. In fact, the 2020 Organic Industry Survey by the Organic Trade Association found that consumers are eating more organic food and using more organic products than ever before. According to Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the association, “The pandemic has only increased our desire for clean, healthy food.” We are becoming more concerned with the ingredient lists and nutritional facts on the products that we buy, avoiding the “natural flavors”, preservatives, fillers, and other unnecessary ingredients hiding in most products out there on the market. The bottom line: consumers want transparency.
Luckily, transparency is what North Coast Organic is all about. We are happy to say that all our products are 100% USDA Certified Organic and are made with only apples grown in the United States and NEVER from concentrate. All our products are free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and dyes, and aren’t processed using industrial solvents, irradiation or genetic engineering. We believe in fresh, pure, and clean.
More people are going to supermarkets than restaurants.
For the first time in a generation, Americans are spending more money at the supermarket than in restaurants and fast-food franchises, where someone else has made the food. With convenience and safety as primary concerns, grocery curbside pickup and home delivery have exploded.
North Coast Organic apple products are sold in supermarkets and grocery stores all over America. You can also buy North Coast Organic products online. If you’d like to find out where to purchase North Coast Organic products locally, you can check markets and grocery stores near you. Not seeing what you want in your area? We invite you to contact your store manager.
Snacking has increased.
According to data from the COVID Symptom Study the pandemic has led to an increase in snacking, and not just in children but adults just the same. Of the 97,000 respondents who completed one of the world’s largest nutrition surveys, 31% reported that they are snacking more, resulting in an average of 7 lbs. of weight gained over just four months. This weight gain is quite concerning because research shows that higher weight is associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as cardiovascular disease. Additionally, snacking on highly refined foods causes sugar spikes and increases the build-up of fat in the bloodstream, leading to dietary inflammation.
If your desire for snacking has gone up while you are spending more time at home, North Coast Organic can help. Our apple sauce pouches make a very satisfying, healthy snack. They come in three varieties: regular, apple sauce with cinnamon, and Honeycrisp apple sauce and are only 70 calories each. New to the lineup, we also offer three wholesome veggie pouches to snack on: 1) apple, blackberry, beet and pear; 2) apple, sweet potato, mango and apricot and 3) apple, blueberry, spinach and kale. Our veggie pouches not only burst with fruit and vegetable goodness, but as an added bonus, you’ll find they are also high in phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. That’s what we call a win-win!
People are cooking and baking like seldom before.
Dinner has become more of a focal point for families, with everything being prepared at home. With extra time on their hands, even people who seldom cook and bake are trying out new recipes on a daily or weekly basis. To offer these home chefs inspiration, North Coast Organic has developed a wide range of recipes that use our wholesome, delicious products, from Apple Sauce Zucchini Bread and Lemon Poppyseed Cake to Sweet and Savory Mac and Cheese and Cider Baked Beans.
As America’s eating habits continue to evolve into the future, North Coast Organic promises to be there to help you with healthier and more wholesome choices. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to ensure you don’t miss out on the latest (and greatest) North Coast recipes!
We’re all in this together America. It’s time to be the best you can be! With good health, we’ll come out stronger on the other side.
North Coast Organic apple products are made in Sebastopol, CA from U.S. grown certified organic apples. They contain no added sugars, preservatives, colorings or flavorings.
