Instead of calling up mom for tips on how to cook the perfect roast chicken, Americans are turning more and more to social media sources like Twitter and Facebook, redefining the way people cook, plan their meals and eat.
That’s the overarching finding of a new report released February 27, which found that social and digital media are replacing last-minute calls to mom, traditionally the ‘go-to’ source who’s saved many a meal from ending up in the garbage.
“Consumers used to rely on mom and family traditions for meal planning, but now search online for what to cook, without ever tasting or smelling,” said Hartman Group president Laurie Demeritt in a statement. “Digital food selection is less of a sensory experience and more of a visual and rational process: What’s on the label? What’s in the recipe? Show me the picture.”
The report found that nearly half of consumers said they learn about food through social networking sites — namely Twitter and Facebook – while 40 percent learn about food via websites, apps or blogs.
Analysts also found that the use of social media doesn’t stop there. Even if they’re dining solo, one-third of Americans — particularly Millennials aged 18 to 32 — will be texting friends or posting food photos to a review site, the study says.
“The ‘table for one’ rarely exists anymore, even among single people eating alone at home,” Demeritt said.
YumYum! is a mobile food sharing app that allows users to upload and share photos of the foods they’re eating across digital social networks.
Foodspotting is also a popular app that allows users to photograph and share their favorite restaurant dishes.
And popular photoblogging app Instagram has made capturing food photos even easier.