The COVID-19 pandemic, even as local and national governments begin easing social restrictions, continues to plague the food and beverage industry. Now nearly three months into this “new normal,” social distancing and increased sanitization efforts continue, all while millions of Americans remain out of work or otherwise struggling financially. The question for food and beverage brands is, how is this affecting consumers? How have shopping and eating habits been adjusted, and what are consumers focused on when it comes to the food and beverages they purchase and consume? To get a clearer picture of what is driving consumers now, how that compares to pre-COVID times, and perhaps what it might say about a post-COVID world, Food & Beverage Insider spoke to Eric Pierce, who works with Informa’s NEXT Data & Insights team. In this podcast, Pierce explains some of the consumer data coming out during this time, including not only what consumers say is most important to them, but what actions they are taking in response. With Food & Beverage Insider assistant editor Alex Smolokoff, this podcast addresses: • The mindset of today’s consumers, and what values they hold most dear; • How shopping and social behaviors have evolved and what that means for brands, retailers and restaurants; • and what lessons we should – or shouldn’t – take with us when this period of uncertainty begins to trend back toward normalcy.