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:
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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]
DIY Foods: Making homemade sausage
Cakes so amazing they'd be hard to cut into
Fruit juice: An invitation to diabetes?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-03-2006 @ 12:13PM
Rhea said...
These trends not only sound accurate but they are very heartening. For me, the organics, portion size and globalization trends are the most exciting. The Boston Globe recently published a story on eating locally grown, in-season foods. The term that is being used for this is "locavore." Here's the story. http://www.nativegrowers.com/?p=97
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8-03-2006 @ 6:53PM
Steve said...
These trends are indeed heartening overall. There is, however, a dark side to kosher/halal meat. Animals are awake at kosher/halal slaughter, and ruminants (cows, sheep, goats) die much more slowly than other animals when their throats are cut due to secondary blood supply to their brains. Kosher/halal animals therefore suffer a great deal more at slaughter than non-kosher/halal animals. As I understand it, there are movements at least within the Jewish community to alter the laws of kosher slaughter.
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8-07-2006 @ 3:40PM
Michael Haddad said...
Great article! Another growing food category to note is artisan breads. Specifically "high-end" breads that are high in fiber, using ingredients such as unbromated / unbleached flours and and without using preservatives. This category is rapidly growing and many manufacturers are adding organics as well.
A couple top national, artisan bread companies are: Ecce Panis & La Brea Bakery
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8-09-2006 @ 2:48PM
Wesley said...
There needs to be a Grocery Chain that someone can get online and have there groceries delivered from the store to the person placing order. Albertsons did this is selected areas and now has dropped an area. someone needs to do it all over the country.
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8-09-2006 @ 5:04PM
Tina McCoy said...
There is another Grocery that delivers and that is Safeway Grocery chain they are on line and also give you the option for a personal shopper you may also refuse any thing you don't find to your liking at the time of delivery. They also take credit or debit! The other is Kroger in the mid west and east coast.
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8-09-2006 @ 5:41PM
DianaNolen said...
What does GMO mean?
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8-09-2006 @ 6:22PM
Kathy of Las Vegas said...
The biggest trend I notice while shopping, whether it is a grocery chain or Sams Club is already made meals, mostly frozen but some fresh.
One person had a basket loaded with frozen foods, and I don't mean stuff you cook like frozen veggies or meats, I mean frozen dinners like lasagna, etc to frozen pancakes.
UGH! I can't imagine this stuff tasting good or with all the preservatives even being good for you.
If we as a society have become SO busy that we can't make a batch of pancakes, then we are too busy! I cook a REAL meal for dinner from real food from the meat and produce depts and my husband loves and enjoys it. He says my cooking tastes better than any restaurant he's ever dined in (and this includes high end places not McDonalds or Applebees)so why switch a good thing?
Maybe I'm just weird, I am 48 years old and have never even tasted a tv dinner....and don't want to, thank you very much!
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8-09-2006 @ 7:06PM
Alise Nolan said...
I LOVE to cook!!
I agree with the lady above who loves to cook and eat, I'm going to say it.....homemade food...I cook on a daily basis for my family and yes I WORK out of the home!!...However I do occassionaly purchase a store bought lasagna or chicken nuggets!! Cooking is my way of relaxing and helps me manage what my family eats. Cooking at home, really cooking from scratch with the help of store bought convenience items like already shredded cheese, soups, and such really is easy and is cost effective. REMEMBER>>>>>Our children will only cook if they see us cooking... Try it...the more you cook, the better you cook....and your family will love you for it.
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8-09-2006 @ 7:33PM
Annette said...
Where did you get the corn information? Would love to know and look into myself.
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8-09-2006 @ 7:52PM
Paula said...
GMO - stands for genetically modified organism. The example that comes to mind most readily is GMO corn, they splice a gene into it's DNA that allows it to resist roundup herbicide. That way it's cheaper to spray the whole field.
Bad stuff ... farmers around here won't eat their GMO crops.
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8-09-2006 @ 7:59PM
Jim Matthews said...
Although it is not across the country but only in Delaware there is a Home Shopping Service. It is from Delaware Supermarkets Inc. and better know as Shop Rite. At the Rt. 202 Concord Pike Location. Just go online on your computer and put your grocery order in and pick up your order at the store. There are reserved parking spaces in the parking lot and marked as so. Cameras show your arrival and your order is brought out to you by associate while you stay in your vehicle.The associate loads all the groceries in your vehicle for you. Shop Rite calls this Home Shopping Service. There is a Service fee.
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