Surprisingly Product Recalls Don't Change Eating Habits

In the wake of the ever-expanding peanut butter recalls I found this news surprising and a little troubling.

The Washington Post reports that, on the whole, Americans will alter their habits over the short term but revert to regular practises once the news swell has passed. Why? Psychologists theorize that "learned helplessness" is to blame.

"Few consumers, if any, had heard of the Peanut Corporation of America, the company responsible for the [current peanut butter] outbreak. Yet the Blakely, Ga.-based company sold its products to more than 70 name-brand firms that used them for foods including cookies, pet food, ice cream and cereal. With the possible spread of tainted product so wide, consumers tend to believe that they can't do anything about it and their response is not to try. When faced with a perceived helplessness consumers tend to carry on with regular behaviour despite the risks.

Pasta Is Cheap Eats

Consumption of pasta is up across the board. Sales, volume and revenues all rose during 2008 as increasingly strapped consumers turned to the staple.

But Peter Smith, chief executive of Harrisburg, Pa.-based New World Pasta, which makes Ronzoni, said that the current economic situation has caused people to rediscover pasta. I know our family is eating more and more these days.

From the Houston Chronicle/AP

Economy Slows Organic Food Growth

The economy is causing consumers to watch their budgets and question their commitment to organic food. The increased pressure on food budgets has slowed the growth of the organic food segment but it is still growing. Sales in December were up 5.6%, compared with 25.6% a year earlier.

Reuters reports that "most people who purchased organic foods were very committed" despite slowing growth in the sector. Tom Pirovano, director of The Nielsen Co. said, "I'm not convinced that we are going to see big declines in organics any time soon." I hope that the growth of the organic food is not a fad but the current economic will definitely put the viability of the segment to the test.

Recession Prompting Towns to Loosen Limits for Sidewalk, Banner Advertising

Several small towns across the country are loosening their restrictions on how businesses (particularly small, independent businesses) advertise their services. Alexandria, VA is allowing store owners in their historic district to display sidewalk signs for the first time ever. Giving businesses another tool to help attract consumers will help the owners during this tough economic environment (and raise more tax revenue for the cities).

I see a growing trend in this story - when push comes to shove the dollar will trump aesthetics every time. I'm certain that we will see more and more stories like this as "important," normally "hot button" issues get shelved due to the economic worries. For better or worse the crappy economy is showing us what's really important to us.

From USA Today