Whether people are intently watching every play or are just stopping for the commercials, everyone can agree on one aspect, the big game spread. According to Google, the top trending must have item for that feast is all about the visual.
Every year, Google offers some insight on what people are searching for and serving for the big game. Whether the food and beverages represent the teams playing, a food trend, or a classic offering, one item tends to be more unique for the sports event of the year.
Leading up to kickoff, searches for “football shaped crackers” and “football shaped cookies’ spikes. Granted football crackers and cookies might be more appreciated than a mound of meat, the information shows a growing food trend across the food industry - visuals matter.
Over the past several years, the creative food boards are more than just a salami river and a flavorful cheese pairing. That board conveys a flower, hearts, or maybe a football team’s logo. Although the party host might not create a gigantic replica of the Caesars Superdome out of food, there are approachable ways to make a visual nod to the celebration.
Food brands are picking up on this visual enticement. For example, just recently Velveeta launched Velveeta Shapes and Cheese Football Shapes. While the flavor is the luscious, delicious comfort food that people crave, it is the visual that gets people buying another box for that special occasion.
The new Velveeta Shapes offering features goal posts, footballs, and helmets. Whether or not this new offering becomes a lucky dish, ensuring a win, remains to be seen. Given the craving for visually exciting food, people will opt for those football shapes over the regular box.
While buying football shaped mac and cheese, crackers, or cookies seems easy enough for the big game spread, the concept does not end when the confetti has been swept away. More and more food brands are transforming their popular products based on holidays, seasons, or other events. A quick look up and down the candy or snack aisle proves that theory.
Is this food trend more important than the swicy showdown or the healthy alternatives? In some ways, it is. The old saying that we eat with our eyes proves true and visually compelling foods will have people grabbing a second helping.