When it comes to food, just as with everything else, there are fads. These fads are subsets of long-lasting, broader trends that really shape the way we eat. For example, the lo-carb craze of a few years ago was part of a general weight-loss trend, which also covered a whole group of various "fad" diets. That trend slowly turned into one of the new top trends: healthy eating.
Since we're talking about food every day here, it's interested to take a step back and look at the broad categories that so shape how we think about food on a daily basis. As of now, the top trends in food processing, along with a few of their "trendlets," are:
-
Organics: This includes an increased interest in how foods are handled and produced. Growing concern for the environment and for how GMO foods impact us leads to consumers seeking out and valuing "natural" foods, local/regional goods and those produced with sustainable and fair trade policies.
2. Health and Wellness: This trend is a step up from weight loss, as our overall well being is now more important than simply slimming down. Energy bars and other vitamin/mineral fortified products fall into this trend.
3. Age: Food isn't just for adults from 20-50 anymore. There is an ever-growing concern over what babies, children and teens eat, as well as what foods are best for fighting disease as we age.
4. Portion: Smaller portions of better foods in restaurants are important to those who dine out frequently, and portion-controlled snacks are one of the fastest growing market segments.
5. Globalization: We may want to eat food that is grown locally, but we want to taste the world with exotic spices and imported foods and cooking techniques.
6. Kosher/Halal: An increased global awareness in spiritualism helped fuel this trend, but the majority of halal and kosher products are marketed as being "safer" and more reliable than other foods due to their very strict, tightly controlled production policies.
For the most part, it seems like these are dead on. In the not-too-distant future, slow food might make it to the top, as could "artisan"/traditional goods. Are there any trends that you've seen that are missing from the list as it stands now?
[Thanks, Alanna]
10 More Dirty Restaurant Tricks
5 Things You Didn't Know About Turducken
10 Catchiest Food Jingles We Love to Hate
