???? Marketing & Food Over This Weekend ????

As marketers, our core duty is to identify needs and align our offerings with our target audience. Just like when we invite guests for lunch or dinner, we must pay attention to their specific food taste preferences and align accordingly. Let's explore this intriguing analogy this weekend.

Recently, a significant change took place during a state banquet hosted by the United States for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This watershed moment occurred on Thursday, June 22nd, when the Bidens, the hosts of the banquet, ensured that the dinner menu catered to the vegetarian preferences of the Indian delegation. The Californian chef renowned for her 'plant-based cuisine' crafted a menu that deliberately excluded fish, poultry, and meat courses. This gesture reflects a growing understanding and acceptance of the Indian interpretation of "vegetarian."

For over 60 years, attending state banquets hosted by the US must have been a nightmare for our vegetarian Prime Ministers and Presidents. In the past, these banquets often featured dishes that were thoughtless in terms of catering to strictly vegetarian guest requirements. From oxtail soup to fish and turkey, the menu options were far from suitable. Even vegetable soups and rice contained meat or poultry stock, and ice creams contained eggs. It was a challenging situation for our vegetarian leaders, where even simple options like lettuce and bread had potential non-vegetarian ingredients.

Fortunately, things started to change over time. Indian Prime Ministers who followed were offered more non-meat options, leading up to the vegetarian Dr. Manmohan Singh. In 2009, during his second White House dinner hosted by the Obamas, the menu featured distinct Indian accents and a range of vegetarian dishes. However, there was still a designated fish course, adhering to Western dining norms.

Hence, the recent state banquet hosted by the Bidens for Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a watershed moment. It was a significant step forward as there were no fish, poultry, or meat courses in the menu. This development indicates that vegetarianism is gaining acceptance not only in the US but also globally.

The next level of progress would be to negate the notion that vegetarians secretly crave meat, leading to the development of vegetarian products that mimic the texture and taste of flesh. While there is a distinct willingness to consider dietary preferences globally, the same cannot be said for many Western nations, especially in central Europe, where finding vegetarian options can be challenging. Nevertheless, fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes are available everywhere. Therefore, if there is a will to embrace vegetarianism, the ingredients are readily accessible.

The Marketing and CRM Team of Cement Organization and other categories such as Paint, Durables, etc., have encountered this concern for years during international tour programmes for their Channel Partners. The rise of Indian restaurants worldwide, offering extensive vegetarian options, serves as a testament to the changing landscape of vegetarianism. However, true acceptance of vegetarianism will arrive in the US and the rest of the West when it is seen not only as a 'healthier' and planet-saving option but also as a dietary preference that involves no craving for meat or meat-mimicking substitutes.

Let's continue to explore and embrace evolving dietary preferences and cater to the diverse needs of our audiences. Have a wonderful weekend, filled with meaningful conversations and delightful food experiences!

Inspiration from an article in the Economic Times.

#Marketing #change #need #Vegetarianism #Diversity #CulturalAcceptance