Consumers love charcuterie because it turns food into art. Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods identifies that not only is there the visual aspect that makes charcuterie so engaging, but the pairing of flavors is certainly part of the art as well.

“Charcuterie remains a hot trend as consumers continue to look to add flavor and interest to their gatherings,” said Holly Lavallie, vice president of marketing for Hormel Deli Solutions. “What is exciting is that charcuterie is almost becoming a verb, like people saying, ‘I’m going to charcuterie tonight.’ … Posting beautiful charcuterie trays on social channels, etc., is something that we continue to see going forward.”

“With our Columbus portfolio of products, we are able to help retailer partners capitalize on these trends,” Lavallie said.

Hormel Foods’ Columbus Craft Meats brand has individually packaged deli meats that allow consumers to use their own creativity while assembling charcuterie. However, many consumers purchasing these products are also looking for a little guidance.

“Consumers are always looking for inspiration and ways to make their entertaining or tailgating get-togethers a little easier,” Lavallie said. “We work closely with retail partners to create what we call entertaining destinations. By grouping items suited for snacking and entertaining closely together, retailers can create a convenient experience for shoppers with a dedicated space that provides a variety of food options perfect for get-togethers. It also helps drive up basket dollar rings because folks tend to buy more in these areas.”

For the type of consumer who wants a fully assembled product with everything done for them, Hormel Foods has that too.

“Consumers remain eager to continue to make up for lost time and lost experiences from the last couple of years,” Lavallie said. “We expect people to look for convenient and affordable ways to host smaller gatherings — without having to do a lot of prep work. Keeping things easy and hassle-free is crucial. Our products like Hormel Gatherings party trays or our Columbus Charcuterie Tasting Board are perfect options for these shoppers.”

The Columbus Charcuterie Tasting Board includes the following:

  • Columbus Italian Dry Salame
  • Columbus Calabrese Salami
  • White Cheddar Cheese
  • La Panzanella Multigrain Crackers
  • Castelvetrano Olives
  • Dark Chocolate Covered Cranberries

Columbus Craft Meats recommends pairing its tasting board with Sauvignon Blanc, Pilsner or amber ale.