Who remembers when that poncy English ‘chef’ Jamie Oliver invaded our school cafeterias to get rid of our beloved turkey twizzlers and cheese pizza? Remember how mad we were that he replaced all the delicious junk food with healthy, freshly prepared food?
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That was only the start of a food revolution that swept the world and now people are more conscious of their eating habits than ever before. So here are some top trends driving change in the food industry:
Transparency
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No, we don’t mean see-through fries and edible glass. This is about consumers not just wanting to know where their food comes from but also knowing every ingredient that goes inside. If you find yourself flipping the back of a product to read the ingredients then you’re part of that change. Healthy food brands are focusing more on their origin stories and highlighting their ethical values, sustainability efforts and becoming more transparent to their customers, which sees other food corporations following suit.
Plant-based food
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Fifteen years ago the thought of having a truly plant-based diet just didn’t seem feasible; it was costly, time-consuming and quite frankly a little boring. Now you can’t even step foot inside a Starbuck’s without somebody ordering a ‘Mocha Choca Green Tea Frappuccino Gluten Free Soy Milk Latte’, and as the consumer needs rapidly evolve food companies are putting fresh, plant-based foods to the forefront of their business.
Health and Wellness
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Switching to a 100% plant-based diet is not for everyone and some people can’t quite live without meat, fish, and dairy. Though, people are definitely more conscious of their health and where their meat and dairy is coming from. Products that have been popular for years are being changed by companies to contain less sugar, fewer preservatives and GMO free.
Convenience
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With all of the above considered, busy bodies don’t always have the patience or time to cook their food. This poses as a real challenge for food companies as they try to promote healthy ingredients combined with convenient cooking methods or ready-to-eat meals. With convenience also comes the trend of ready-prepared meals, healthy food delivery, and quick-cook recipes.
How have these trends changed the way you eat, order, and buy food? Comment below!
