Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: From Leaf to Cup: All About Tea   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!                         Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in New Jersey   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog! Up next in our Spotlight on States series: New Jersey!   New Jersey is one of the original 13 colonies and became a state on December 18, 1787. It is one of the smallest states in land area, but has one of the highest population densities. The estimated population in 2024 was 9,500,851. It is bordered by New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the Atlantic Ocean. New Jersey was named for the island of Jersey in the English Channel.   New Jersey’s transportation system is one of the most extensive in the world, and many of the state’s residents commute to New York and Pennsylvania for work. The state is called the Garden State after becoming famous for its fertile land in the 18th century. The capital city of New Jersey is Trenton.  

Official New Jersey State Symbols

  Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of New Jersey’s official state symbols:   – Dog: Seeing-eye dog – Reptile: Bog turtle – Fish: Brook trout – Animal: Horse – Flower: Violet – Shell: Knobbed whelk – Fruit: Blueberry – Bird: Eastern goldfinch   Find more information about New Jersey’s state symbols here.  

Fun Facts about New Jersey

  The first organized baseball game was played in Hoboken, New Jersey,  in 1846.   New Jersey’s State House is the third oldest still in use. (Maryland and Virginia are older.)   New Jersey has the most horses per capita, with nearly 10 horses per 1000 people. The United States Equestrian Team is headquartered in Gladstone, NJ.   The properties in the United States version of the board game Monopoly are named after the streets of Atlantic City.   New Jersey is the last state in the country where self-service filling of gasoline is prohibited. (Note: Originally we thought Oregon still banned self-service gasoline, however a savvy panel member pointed out that starting in 2023, Oregon allows it.)   The first professional basketball game was played in Trenton, NJ in 1896.   New Jersey is home to more than 9,900 farms covering 750,000 acres of farmland.   Famous people from New Jersey include John Travolta, Frank Sinatra, Jon Bon Jovi, Martha Stewart, and Meryl Streep.  

NCP Panel Members in New Jersey

  Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our New Jersey panel members answered some of our survey questions!     Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: Mocktails on the Rise   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog! Have you ever enjoyed a mocktail? These delightful drinks mimic traditional cocktails, minus the alcohol. Often created with a blend of fresh fruit juices, herbs, spices, and flavored syrups, mocktails provide an alternative for people who prefer not to drink alcohol, without compromising on taste or social experience. Whether it’s a Virgin Mojito brimming with mint and lime or a tangy Nojito, mocktails provide a flavorful and inclusive option for everyone.   According to Merriam-Webster, the word “mocktail” was first used in 1916, just before Prohibition began in 1920. The Shirley Temple, a fruity concoction made of ginger ale and grenadine and topped with a maraschino cherry, might be the most well-known mocktail.

Health Considerations

  In recent years, mocktails have surged in popularity, becoming a staple at social events, bars, and restaurants. This rise is largely attributed to a growing health consciousness and a shift towards mindful drinking habits. There’s been a shift toward “sober curiosity,” and a 2021 study by Nielsen indicated that 22% of consumers were cutting back on alcohol. Millennials and members of Gen Z, known to be health-conscious, especially appreciate the mocktail movement.   There are plenty of health reasons why people are reaching for mocktails instead of alcoholic drinks. One major factor is liver health. Alcohol can put a significant strain on the liver, which works hard to detoxify the body. Choosing mocktails allows people to enjoy a tasty beverage without adding extra work for this vital organ. Plus, avoiding alcohol reduces the risk of liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer.   Another big reason is mental health and sleep quality. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to anxiety and depression. Many people find that cutting back on alcohol improves their mood, mental clarity, and helps them get a better night’s sleep. Mocktails give the social vibe of a cocktail without the negative impact on rest and mental well-being.     Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in New Hampshire   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!          
                          Read full post     Previous Post: NCP In The Know: Super Bowl Sunday   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!

NCP went deep into the world of football fandom to find out what makes Super Bowl Sunday so special for you! We asked about your favorite teams, go-to game-day snacks, halftime show hype, and more—and the results are in!

 

So, who’s got the most loyal fans? What’s the MVP of Super Bowl snacks? And did your game-day traditions make the list?

 

Let’s break it all down—one fun stat at a time!

 

What are you watching?

 

Did you watch the Super Bowl this year? According to the panel members who responded to our survey, 60% planned to watch the big game, while 40% did not plan to watch.

 

Here are some more interesting stats from our panel members:

 

– 53% planned to watch the entire game
– 24% weren’t sure if they would watch the entire game
– 23% only planned to watch part of the game
– 81% planned to watch the game at home
– 16% planned to watch at someone else’s house
– 2% planned to watch at a bar or restaurant

 

And how about the pre- and post-game shows?

 

– 50% planned to watch the pre-game and/or post-game shows
– 28% did not plan to watch either one
– 19% planned to watch the pre-game show only
– 3% planned to watch only the post-game show

 

The halftime show is always a much-hyped part of Super Bowl Sunday, and we wondered what our panel members think about it. Here’s what they had to say:

 

– 37% didn’t know who was performing (It was Kendrick Lamar, if you didn’t know!)
– 36% weren’t excited about the halftime show
– 22% were excited about the halftime show
– 5% were not planning to watch the halftime show

 

 

 

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NCP Blog: From Flowers to Fine Dining: Valentine’s Day Spending

 

NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!

                          Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Nevada   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog! Up next in our Spotlight on States series: Nevada!   Nevada became the 36th state on Oct. 31, 1864. It ranks seventh among our states in total land area. Nevada shares borders with Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, Arizona to the southeast, and California to the west.   In the early 21st century, Nevada was one of the fastest-growing states in population. Its estimated population in 2023 was 3,194,176, making it the 32nd most populous state. Nevada’s capital city is Carson City, located in the western part of the state.  

Official Nevada State Symbols

 
Every state has their own unique symbols, from birds to flowers to songs and more! Here are some of Nevada’s official state symbols:   – Colors: Silver and Blue – Flower: Sagebrush – Grass: Indian Ricegrass – Bird: Mountain Bluebird – Insect: Vivid Dancer Damselfly – Reptile: Desert Tortoise – Animal: Desert Bighorn Sheep – Metal: Silver   Find more information about Nevada’s state symbols here.  

Fun Facts about Nevada

  Nevada has 314 named mountain ranges — more mountain ranges than any other state — and 35 peaks over 10,000 feet in elevation.   Nevada is the driest state in the nation with a statewide average of 10 inches of precipitation per year.   Nevada ranks 8th for the number of butterflies found in a single state.   Measuring up to 45 inches and weighing up to 50 lbs, the Lahontan cutthroat trout, aka Nevada’s state fish, is the largest inland cutthroat trout in the world.   With over 300 hot springs, Nevada is home to more hot springs than any other state in the nation.   Nevada is the largest gold-producing state in the nation. It is second in the world behind South Africa.   The state has about 50,000 miles of paved road, much of it featured in films like “Vanishing Point,” “Breakdown,” “Rainman,” and “Lethal Weapon 4.”   Famous people from Nevada include tennis player Andre Agassi, Jimmy Kimmel, the actors Dawn Wells and Charisma Carpenter, and politician Harry Reid.  

NCP Panel Members in Nevada

  Want to learn more about your fellow panel members in another state? Here’s how our Nevada panel members answered some of our survey questions!     Read full post     Previous Post: NCP In The Know: New Year’s Survey Insights   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!

New year, new insights! We turned the page to 2025 and asked our NCP panel members to spill the confetti on their favorite traditions, goals, and dreams for the year ahead in our recent “New Years Survey”. Here’s a celebration-worthy peek into what’s making this New Year sparkle!

 

The New Year’s Eve traditions panel members enjoyed the most:

 

– Spending time with loved ones: 34%
– Watching the countdown/ball drop: 18%
– Going to sleep early: 13%
– Watching a fireworks celebration: 7%
– Attending a party: 5%
– Other: 9%

The remaining 14% indicated they don’t celebrate New Year’s Eve.

 

Overall satisfaction with 2024:

 

– Excellent: 6%
– Good: 35%
– Average: 33%
– Below average: 18%
– Poor: 8%

 

Words that best describe your focus in the new year:

 

– Health: 40%
– Balance: 19%
– Growth: 16%
– Simplicity: 12%
– Adventure: 6%
– None of the above: 7%

 

 

Your top priority for the new year is:

 

– Improving your health and fitness: 40%
– Growing your financial security: 18%
– Don’t know/not sure: 12%
– Travel/new adventures: 9%
– Strengthening relationships: 8%
– Other: 13%

 

 

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NCP Blog: Spotlight on Panel Members in Nebraska

 

NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!

         
                          Read full post     Previous Post: NCP Blog: Gift Card Tips & Tricks: How to Stay Organized and Get the Most Value   NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!