# Event-Ready Snack Platters The Hormel Gatherings Culinary Pairings Pair Meat, Cheese and Crackers By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-01-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hormel-gatherings-culinary-pairings References: [foodbusinessnews.net](http://www.foodbusinessnews.net/Resources/Slideshow/2018/01/Dairy-snack-innovation/5.aspx?TipID=4) & [hormel](http://www.hormel.com/Brands/Party-Tray/Hormel-Culinary-Pairings/HORMEL-GATHERINGS%C2%AE-Culinary-Pairings-Sopressata) To give consumers a helping hand over the holiday season, [Hormel Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hormel-chili-board) launched its [Hormel Gatherings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hormel-gatherings-bold-and-spicy-tray) Culinary Pairings snack kits, which provide curated selections of ready-to-serve flatbread crackers, charcuterie and cheese. The Hormel Gatherings Culinary Pairings are offered in varieties such as Sopressata Salami & Gouda Cheese, as well as Italian Dry Salami & Asiago Cheese. These kits are suited to serving groups of two to four, offering a simple and easy way to prepare an appetizer for an event. Knowing that many consumers are now looking for sources of on-the-go protein, several food brands are also creating similar versions of these kits with [meat, cheese and crackers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strings-things-munch-mix) with an emphasis on ease and portability. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Curated Snack Kits:** The growing trend of curated snack kits presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for brands to offer convenient and ready-to-serve options for consumers. - **On-the-go Protein:** The increasing demand for on-the-go protein sources creates a disruptive innovation opportunity for food brands to create portable snack kits with meat, cheese, and crackers. - **Easy Event Appetizers:** The rise in demand for simple and easy event appetizers opens up a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses to create pre-packaged snack kits that require minimal preparation. ### Where This Applies - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the curated snack kits trend by creating innovative and convenient options for consumers. - **Meat and Charcuterie:** The meat and charcuterie industry can tap into the on-the-go protein trend by developing portable snack kits that combine meat, cheese, and crackers. - **Event Catering:** The event catering industry can leverage the demand for easy event appetizers by offering pre-packaged snack kits that provide a hassle-free solution for hosts. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Spicy Snacking Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hormel-gatherings-bold-and-spicy-tray.md) - [Curated Pre-Assembled Charcuterie Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preassembled-charcuterie.md) - [Charcuterie Snack Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charcuterie-snack-trays.md) - [Ready-to-Eat Charcuterie Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veroni-enjoy-aperitime.md) - [Festive Cracker Pairings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cracker-pairings.md) - [Charcuterie Board Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/charcuterie-board-kits.md) - [Vegan Charcuterie Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/variety-charcuterie-packs.md) - [Continental Charcuterie-Inspired Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bodega-snacking-duo.md) - [Ready-to-Serve Cracker Duos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/entertaining-cracker-duo.md)