Article originally published in the December 6, 2018 issue of the SNEB eCommunicator.

Much like seeing holiday decorations this time of year, get ready for a slew of food trends to look for in 2019. The question is, which trends will truly take hold in 2019? Some repeating trends in the articles below are plant-based, fermented products, new flavors (African, Japanese, Filipino), continued evolution of meal kits, cannabis/THC foods and more. Enjoy!

Cleaner, fresher and more exotic foods the trend for 2019 – exotic foods such as a sweet and spicy Korean salad kit
https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9032109/cleaner-fresher-and-more-exotic-foods-the-trend-for/

What will we be drinking in 2019? (Learn a new word – nootropic beverages -drinks that improv brain performance may be big as well as functional waters – think protein water and others)
https://www.mydrinkbeverages.com/what-will-we-be-drinking-in-2019-up-coming-beverage-trends

2018/2019 flavor trends – includes floral, herbal, botanical and Japanese
https://www.itstaste.com/news/flavour-trends-2018-19

Foods you may see in the supermarket/at convenience stores
**Trends from Kroger which include gut-healthy foods, low sugar and that continuing fav, plant-based foods.
https://www.cspdailynews.com/foodservice/kroger-lists-top-food-trends-2019

**Whole Foods 2019 trends – includes Pacific Rim flavors and probiotics
https://www.supermarketguru.com/articles/whole-foods-market-misses-the-biggest-grocery-trend-with-their-2019-forecast/

**Specialty food association 2019 trends – look to Africa, South Asia and Latin America for 2019 and cassava
https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/18/11/r12708138/specialty-food-association-trendspotter-panel-picks-the-top-2019-food-

**Tyson Foods 2019 food trends – protein (again) and eating for beauty (collagen as a food ingredient)
https://www.tysonfoods.com/the-feed-blog/food-trends-2019

**Food, drink trends for 2019 (trends for convenience stores from Mintel) – includes a focus on packaging and ‘on-the-go’ that won’t slow
https://cstoredecisions.com/2018/11/23/food-drink-trends-ahead-for-2019/

**Trendspotting @ FNCE – products seen include plant-based and protein
https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2018/10/25/Trendspotting-at-FNCE-From-plant-based-to-protein-packed-to-products-tailored-for-specialty-diets#

Foods you may see when eating out
**2019 dining trends – bugs, bacteria and sweet derivatives from carrots, butternut squash and sweet potato
http://www.meetings-conventions.com/News/Breaking-News/Benchmark-Hospitality-food-trends-chef-menu-meeting-event/

**2019 restaurant trends – a slideshow that includes dishes from former Soviet states, restaurant meal kits, sour flavors found in fermented foods and Filipino dishes
https://www.nrn.com/food-trends/what-expect-2019-more-ai-technology-marijuana-and-motherless-meat

**Fast casual dining trends for 2019 – bowls, protein alternatives, fermented foods, probiotics and food transparency
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/2582/fast-casual-dining-trends.html

**9 hottest beverage and food trends of 2019 – rotisserie chicken and watermelon seed butter!
https://www .buzztime.com/business/blog/9-hottest-beverage-and-food-trends-of-2019/