7 Food Trends to Be on the Watch for in 2019
So, what’s on the menu for food trends in 2019? Several University of Florida food and resource economics experts, including Soo Ahn, Jeff Brecht, Danielle Treadwell, and Nan Jensen, are taking an educated stab at not only what we might be seeing on our plates, but also how the food gets there.
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Blockchain
Get ready to see blockchain protocol to enhance traceability of foods in the supply chain. That means all handlers throughout the system can see how, when and where the products went from farm to table, allowing for complete transparency.
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More Plants on the Plate
More people are electing to go the vegetarian route and forgo eating meat and other animal products. But there also has been a rise in people who enjoy a steak during a dinner out with friends, but love their black bean burgers and zucchini noodles for dinner at home. As a result, there has been a huge growth of plant-based alternatives like dairy-free milks and yogurt, along with meat substitutes available in grocery stores and on restaurant menus.
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Fruit Variety Matters
Consumers are learning that there is a lot of variation in the color, texture, flavor, and sometimes even nutritional value among fruits and vegetables. For example, did you know that there are more than 7,000 varieties of apples? On average, 69% of U.S. consumers buy apples. As a result, grocers are likely going to expand their varieties to attract more discerning consumers.
Photo courtesy of Okanagan Specialty Fruits) -
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"Free-From" Foods
With more people affected by food allergens and other things they can’t tolerate, more food companies are expanding “free-from” foods than ever. These include foods that are free of meat, eggs, dairy, allergens and gluten. They also include vegan food. With increasing demand for free-from products, especially among the millennials, this trend will continue.
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Modern Markets
Retailers are customizing their stores to become social hubs that will be sources of entertainment as well as provide the traditional selection of groceries. Stores are now featuring things such as unique food stations, coffee bars, large community gathering style tables, and even couches.
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Special Delivery
With the rise of applications such as UberEats and DoorDash, you can have almost any kind of food from any kind of restaurant delivered to your door. Throw in the fact that Amazon bought Whole Foods, and it looks like we may be approaching the age of food and grocery delivery.
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(Super)Food Security
As a potential solution to the critical issue of food security, researchers see an increase in lesser-known, but highly nutritional foods on our tables. Foodservice vendors are using more exotic or ancient grains and produce -- such as teff and breadfruit -- and this will expand to retail products. Many of these new foods are loaded with nutrients.
View all
Blockchain
More Plants on the Plate
Fruit Variety Matters
"Free-From" Foods
Modern Markets
Special Delivery
(Super)Food Security
Scroll through the gallery above to find out their collective predictions.
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Paul Rusnak is the Senior Online Editor of American Vegetable Grower, American Fruit Grower, and Greenhouse Grower magazines, all Meister Media Worldwide brands. He is based in Northeast Florida. See all author stories here.