In just a few years everyone now seems to have joined the future casting food and drink trend bandwagon. One article suggests it’s due to the availability of consumer data from e-commerce and social media which makes it easier to track consumer food habits and peak at next year’s trends. My takeaway: trends are ‘fun,’ yet they also reflect changes in food habits and the food environment; trends are a ‘heads up’ as we communicate to/connect with/educate the public.
A last look at 2022…
- Albertsons is the first grocer to let you order in the Metaverse. Will others will follow? (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/the-friday-checkout-consumers-grocery-shop-metaverse/638905/).
- GrubHub ordering trends (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/grubhub-reveals-2022-top-ordering-trends/);
- which fast food raised prices the most in 2022? Wendy’s (https://www.tastingtable.com/1134814/data-suggest-wendys-had-the-highest-fast-food-price-hike-of-2022/);
- fast foods that got the most expensive in 2022 (https://thetakeout.com/wendys-chick-fil-a-taco-bell-more-expensive-in-2022-1849882911).
- And a first? Grocery Dive grades their 2022 trends (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/2022-grocery-trends-lookback/638936/).
Top of mind trends…
- Healthy planet: The environment, sustainability, climavore, regenivore, climatarian eating, upcycling, zero food/packaging waste: by 2030 our food choices will be climate-directed (https://www.kearney.com/consumer-retail/article/-/insights/dawn-of-the-climavores).
- Healthy bodies: culinary medicine, plant-based, help for stress, immunity, gut health, ‘clean’ labels, functional food and drink including functional water: Chipotle uses Snapchat to target Gen Z with wellness (https://www.marketingdive.com/news/chipotle-gen-z-wellness-snapchat-lens-new-year/639497/).
- Healthy wallet: saving money, discount grocery stores.
- Flavor and comfort: interest in the diversity of global flavors and nostalgia/comfort food.
- Specific foods: mushrooms, dates (as a natural/‘real’ sugar), yaupon (lower caffeine tea alternative), dragon fruit, tinned fish.
- Eating out: On-the-go, snacking, streamlined menus, drive-thru with AI upselling, convenience stores offer more food options.
RDNs weigh in…
- Good overviews: before diving into other trend lists (https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/new-food-trends-for-2023);
- Today’s Dietitian (https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0123p6.shtml).
- The 2022 FNCE conference is a look forward (https://www.olivetomato.com/food-and-nutrition-trends-2022-2023/).
- Heinen RDN shares her wellness trends (https://www.heinens.com/stories/5-wellness-trend-predictions-for-2023/).
2023 trends…
- Groceries: Downsizing in meat/poultry/other departments predicted (https://www.supermarketperimeter.com/articles/9092-210-analytics-predicts-downsizing-across-grocery-departments);
- grocery store shrinking (https://progressivegrocer.com/good-year-grocers-go-smaller).
- Food retail in 2023 means more shoppable videos, connected TV (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/whats-ahead-for-retail-media-grocery-in-2023/640705/).
- Food: Trends to watch with trends over multiple years (https://explodingtopics.com/blog/food-trends). Convenience store snacks (https://www.cstoredive.com/news/snack-trends-to-watch-in-2023/639821/).
- Food Dive shares a food industry perspective (https://www.fooddive.com/news/food-beverage-trends-2023/639346/).
- Rethinking restaurant trends shares an interesting observation: streaming movies and TV might be a source of what you see at the restaurant (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/time-rethink-assumptions-restaurant-trends-webinar/).
Trendspotters…
- Fresh Market trends (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/fresh-market-unveils-2023-food-trends/).
- Emerging flavor trends (https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2022/11/28/soup-to-nuts-podcast-emerging-flavor-trends-cater-to-comfort-nostalgia-whimsy).
- 2023 flavor of the year is…dragonfruit (https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firmenich-announces-dragon-fruit-as-2023-flavor-of-the-year-301694790.html).
- Whole Foods (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/whole-foods-food-trends-for-new-year-2023/634535/).
- Natural Grocers (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/natural-grocers-anticipates-2023-top-trends/).
- Natural/organic products at Natural Expo East Sept. 2022/what’s ahead (https://www.preparedfoods.com/articles/127742-natural-oganic-product-trends-to-watch-in-2023).
- Trendspotters: products at the 2023 Winter Fancy Food Show (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/trendspotters-scout-out-innovations-show/).
- Specialty Foods Association (https://candyusa.com/cst/sfa-trendspotters-predict-2023-specialty-food-trends/).
- Tastewise (https://www.fooddive.com/news/tastewise-2023-trends-functional-food/637876/).
- Tasting Table (https://www.tastingtable.com/1127455/food-and-beverage-trends-to-look-for/).
- International Food Information Council (https://ific.org/media-information/press-releases/food-trends-for-2023/).
- Culinary Institute experts (https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/food/2023/01/06/9-food-trends-to-watch-for-in-2023-culinary-experts-share-thoughts/69778157007/).
Dining out…
- 2023: the year of the robot for restaurants (https://thetakeout.com/2023-restaurant-trends-technology-robots-ai-ordering-1849876760).
- The National Restaurant Association: streamlined menus continue (https://www.tastingtable.com/1122058/minimalist-menus-are-here-to-stay-according-to-2023-trend-predictions/).
- Restaurants to partner more with gamers including in-game rewards (https://www.tastingtable.com/1153221/expert-predicts-restaurants-will-team-with-gaming-publishers-even-more-in-2023/).
- Fast food restaurants making moves (https://thetakeout.com/fast-food-restaurant-chains-brands-to-watch-in-2023-1849954902).
- Yelp’s top 2023 restaurants (https://thetakeout.com/yelp-top-100-restaurants-2023-usa-best-restaurants-list-1850040491).
- You’ll see more co-location of restaurants at groceries (https://www.supermarketnews.com/prepared-foods/store-branded-restaurants-gain-momentum).
Specialized categories: school meals, digital, ag…
- Chartwell’s school lunch trends mirror general trends such as plant-based and zero waste (https://candyusa.com/cst/chartwells-k12-reveals-top-10-food-trends-for-2023/).
- Innova, a market research firm, looks at the digital experience (https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/22645-innovas-2023-trends-focus-on-digital-experiences-nutrition).
- Ag tech trends include vertical farming (https://explodingtopics.com/blog/agtech-trends);
- Walmart partners for vertical farming (https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/plenty-partners-walmart-secures-400m-funding).
Ahead…
- A Canadian company looks at bringing self-service grocery stores to the U.S. (https://www.grocerydive.com/news/self-service-grocer-c-store-expands-in-canada/637162/).
- 20 years after being petitioned for a rule about the nutrition content, calorie and allergen labeling of alcoholic drinks (and being sued by consumer groups) the Treasury Department agency responsible says it will issue rules for public comment in the coming year (https://www.cspinet.org/press-release/consumer-groups-obtain-ttb-commitment-issue-rulemakings-mandatory-alcohol-labeling).
- Will this Massachusetts drive-up, pick-up-only grocer catch on? (https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/pick-only-grocer-debuts-first-location/).