What Color Psychology Is Used in Food Marketing?

Color psychology is used in every industry, from major brands to small businesses. Though your customers may not consciously consider it when choosing where to eat or shop, it does play a role in influencing their decisions. Every color has symbolic meanings attached to it, and understanding the color psychology of food can help you anticipate consumer reactions and incorporate the emotions you want to evoke into the base of your marketing plan.

Understanding Food Color Psychology

Color psychology tells us that each hue appeals to us differently. In the food industry, these colors are most likely to feelings of:

• Red: Energy, passion, urgency, appetite stimulation
• Orange: Value, appetite stimulation
• Yellow: Enthusiasm, youthfulness, uneasiness
• Green: Health, freshness, nature
• Blue: Calm, trust, security, appetite suppression
• Purple: Luxury, fruitiness
• Pink: Sweetness, feminity, calm
• Brown: Sweetness, nature, earthiness
• Black: Class, simplicity, luxury
• White: Neutrality, cleanliness, clarity

When it comes to food marketing, red is perhaps one of the most popular color choices. It's favored by international brands like McDonald's, Kellogg's, and Coca-Cola. Depending on your brand and the image you want to convey, any color can have its place in the food market.

How Color Impacts Food Marketing Strategies

How can you use food color psychology to market your brand? There are dozens of options, but you can start by integrating mindful color choices into:

• Online marketing: If you want to appeal to the widest demographic, you should consider your strategy in online content like social media, emails, and blog posts. With so many ads and bright colors on the internet, you need an eye-catching display that evokes style and confidence in your brand with one glance.
• Event hosting: In-person and word-of-mouth marketing are crucial to building long-standing ties in your community. Host a seasonal or welcoming event that allows you to decorate your property in key colors so people associate those feelings with your brand every time they see them.
• Product packaging: Of course, you can't leave out the products themselves! Even a small logo on the product packaging leaves a mark that people will remember.

Perfect Your Food Color Psychology With HunterLab

In the color psychology of food, every shade counts. The right type of red and contrast with other colors can be the difference between a potential customer turning away or getting drawn in to learn more.

Find the ideal color matches by shopping HunterLab's color management solutions today.