David Portalatin
Industry Advisor for Food and Foodservice at the NPD Group

• David Portalatin is The NPD Group’s industry advisor for the food and foodservice industries and author of NPD’s annual “Eating Patterns in America,” which is a compilation of the food and foodservice research the company conducts over the year. In his role as senior vice president, industry advisor, Portalatin provides information, insights, and analysis on how U.S. consumers eat and drink, their attitudes and motivations, diet and nutrition, snacking, personal characteristics, and their usage of restaurants and other foodservice outlets. He works closely with food manufacturers and retailers; foodservice distributors, manufacturers, and operators in providing strategic business insights into current and future eating patterns in America and the state of the U.S. foodservice industry. His diverse background and experience give him an in-depth understanding of consumer behavior and foodservice industry dynamics. Prior to his current role, he was NPD’s industry analyst in the convenience retailing industries, automotive aftermarket, and motor fuels. Portalatin held various positions in foodservice wholesale distribution and convenience retailing before joining NPD in 1999. He is a frequent featured speaker at food and foodservice industry events, corporate conferences, and executive meetings. Portalatin also serves as a media source and his comments have appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other nationally recognized media outlets.