U.S. adults with access to the internet who purchase specialty foods
Method of interview
Online survey
Supplementary notes
Mintel selects survey respondents to be proportionally balanced to the U.S. adult population based on the key demographics of gender, age, household income and region.
Specialty foods are defined as foods or beverages of the highest grade, style, and/or quality in their respective categories. Their specialty nature derives from a combination of some or all of the following qualities: uniqueness, origin, processing method, design, limited supply, unusual application or use, extraordinary packaging, or channel of distribution/sales.
Citation formats
Specialty foods: U.S. consumers' reasons for purchase 2016
This statistic depicts U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016. In order to gather this information, an online survey was conducted among adults with internet access in the United States. The survey found that ** percent of U.S. consumers bought specialty foods due to recommendations of a friend or relative.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Specialty Food Association. (August 1, 2016). U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/
Specialty Food Association. "U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016." Chart. August 1, 2016. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/
Specialty Food Association. (2016). U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/
Specialty Food Association. "U.S. Consumers' Reasons for Purchasing Specialty Foods in 2016." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 1 Aug 2016, /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/
Specialty Food Association, U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
U.S. consumers' reasons for purchasing specialty foods in 2016 [Graph], Specialty Food Association, August 1, 2016. [Online]. Available: /statistics/301311/specialty-foods-us-consumers-reasons-for-purchase/
