Consumer Acceptance of Artisan Energy Bars

For this project in my Principles of Sensory Evaluation course at Virginia Tech, I worked with a research team to design and conduct a consumer study in partnership with All Day Health Bar, a local startup specializing in artisan energy bars.

Our objective was to understand consumer preferences for four unique flavors: Vanilla Pistachio, Apple Cinnamon Walnut, Blueberry Cashew, and Nutty Chocolate, and to evaluate how often and when consumers would likely incorporate these products into their daily routines.

We recruited 84 community participants who sampled each flavor under controlled sensory lab conditions. Using a 9-point hedonic scale, panelists rated overall liking, reported frequency of potential consumption, and identified preferred times of day to eat the product. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons revealed significant differences in liking scores, with Blueberry Cashew and Vanilla Pistachio emerging as consumer favorites. Nutty Chocolate consistently scored lower and was identified as a candidate for reformulation.

Finally, I had the opportunity to present our findings and strategic recommendations directly to the founder and CEO of All Day Health Bar, bridging the gap between classroom research and real-world business application. Our recommendations included reformulating underperforming flavors and positioning certain bars as an evening snack to align with consumer behavior trends.

This project deepened my skills in sensory evaluation design, data analysis, and professional presentation, while also demonstrating how consumer research can directly inform product development and marketing strategies in the food industry.