Released during the Institute of Food Technologists 2007 Annual Meeting and Food Expo held in Chicago, the report highlights more than a decade of market, consumer and nutrition research, according to the ABC.
ABC’s primary target consumer, whom it calls “Jane,†showcases Jane’s purchasing power in major categories, the inspiration behind her food choices and her affinity for bakery products and restaurant menu items with almonds.

Jane’s food demands address heart disease, weight management, healthful indulgence and convenience, qualities that ABC believes almonds exemplify. The board plans to continue targeting the Jane market that it says is already responsible for nearly 43 percent of almond sales growth by pound from 2001 to 2004.  

“The Jane audience represents 42 million U.S. consumers,†said Harbinder Maan, manager, foodservice and industrial marketing, ABC. “She is our target audience because her attitudes toward health, nutrition and flavor are perfectly aligned with almonds. Jane is most receptive to potential almond messages.â€

According to the report, almonds were featured in nearly one in four new products introduced with nuts in the U.S. in 2006. Additionally, almond bakery product introductions increased by 55 percent, while the products containing other nuts only grew by 30 percent.

The study indicates that 80 percent of Janes say lowering the risk of heart disease is a very important health benefit when choosing what foods to eat. Almonds have been shown to be helpful in reducing cholesterol as part of a diet low in saturated fat.