With the New Year approaching, its time to look deeper into just what 2016 will have in store for the food industry. If you ask the Specialty Food Association, we’ll be seeing ugly produce, floral flavors, and lots of fat.
"Health and convenience come across loud and clear in 2016's trend forecast," says Denise Purcell, Head of Content for the Specialty Food Association. "Consumers gravitate toward simpler foods and beverages, often sustainable and local, and they respond to products and new store formats that make their lives easier. But, while they may want their food simpler, they don't want it boring. There's always room for indulgence and new taste adventures."
Here are a few of Specialty Food Association’s top picks for trends you’ll see in 2016:
After a few years of people putting vegetables on the back burner, mother nature’s crops are garnering new respect next year. Expect to see veggies in more in teas, yogurts, and ice-cream, the Specialty Food Association says. Keep seaweed on your radar, in particular.
Not just edible flowers will be on the horizon next year, the Specialty Food Association says you’ll be tasting floral flavors in everything from chocolate, cheese, snack foods, carbonated water, and an expanding variety of teas.
Where retailers in the past would toss out imperfect produce items, 2016 may see newfound appreciation for those previously unwanted products. Food retailers, foodservice establishments and food makers will looking for more creative solutions to combat food waste in general, the Specialty Food Association predicts.
Locally sourced meats, seafood, and produce will continue to attract attention from consumers who demand to know where their food comes from, particularly millennial shoppers.
What once elicited “ews” from kids across the globe is now at the intersection of several trends—vegetables, umami flavors, and mushroom foraging.
Snacks have new status as healthy options for meal replacements that appeal to solo diners, busy parents, and even their kids.
What was once forbidden is now embraced. Look for full-fat products to return to shelves which everything from milk to butter to red meat.
There you have it, folks. With the specialty food industry being worth $109 billion, if you’re looking to capitalize on what’s going to get you the most bang for your buck in 2016, here are a few good places to start.
