As 2020 starts coming to a close, there is little doubt that this year has dramatically changed many things about our lives – including how we eat. With the help of a global pandemic, an economic recession, and global warming –  it’s obvious our priorities have shifted and will continue to do so. Let’s take a look into how this year has impacted the food trends and purchasing patterns of a typical consumer. 

Key Takeaways from 2020 

With so many people in isolation and working from home, it’s no surprise that consumers were cooking more than ever this year – and better yet, sharing what they’d created on social media! In a survey conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Sensodyne toothpaste, 74% of respondents revealed that cooking had been a successful coping mechanism as they dealt with the stress of being home and 44% of those surveyed said they learned a new recipe during quarantine.

From the country’s bread baking obsession to the viral Dalgona coffee, consumers were using what they made in the kitchen as a way to safely connect with and inspire one another. For a list (and twist) on what recipes went viral this year, check out this article posted by Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants – it’s never too late to join in on the fun!

Consumers aren’t just cooking and eating at home more, they are paying more attention to what they eat and how it affects their health. While frequent snacking and comfort eating were on the rise at the beginning of this year, many are now looking to fuel their bodies with nutritious, immunity-strengthening foods and beverages. The International Food Information Council’s 2020 Food and Health Survey revealed that healthfulness is indeed the biggest mover for purchasing food products, even more so than taste and price. In addition to this, they found that active dieting has grown to 43% this year, up from 38% in 2019 and 36% in 2018. 

Yes, consumers were cooking more and paying more attention to what they were eating, but what were the overarching food trends this year? 

Nestle Professional recently released a report encompassing the major food and beverage trends throughout the year. We’ve pulled just a few that we wanted to bring attention to: 

• “The New Global Pantry” – Nestle reported that 68% of Millennials and Gen Z have gone out of their way this year to try a novel global food. There’s an increasing interest in adventurous ethnic dining experiences as individuals grow weary of the same few home-cooked meals and flavors. Ever heard of Gochujang, Matcha, Chia, or Harissa? These are just a few examples of what’s beginning to penetrate America’s menus.  

• “Food With Less Waste” – Did you know, America doesn’t eat 40% of its food? The National Resources Defense Council stated “If the United States went grocery shopping, we would leave the store with five bags and leave two in the parking lot…America throws out more than 1,250 calories per day per person or 400 lbs of food per person annually.” With global warming increasing awareness and wildfires wreaking havoc on many acres of farmland, Americans are becoming more concerned about how much food goes to waste. 

• “The Future is Flexitarian” – What is a “Flexitarian”? A part-time vegetarian who still occasionally eats meat or fish. To piggyback off the last trend, Americans are not only trying to reduce food waste but also trying to cut back on foods and beverages that leave a carbon footprint (aka meat and cheese). Americans are slowly transitioning to more plant foods, plant-based protein alternatives, and even plant-based beverages. Impossible Burger, anyone? 

So, what does all of this mean for next year’s food trends? 

Predicted Food Trends for 2021

Whole foods recently released its annual prediction for the Top 10 Food Trends of 2021 to reflect our new normal. Here are just a few we wanted to point out: 

• “Well-Being is Served” – Remember what we said about consumers searching for immunity-strengthening foods and beverages? Suppliers are now incorporating ingredients like vitamin C, mushrooms, and adaptogens into everyday foods to “foster a calm headspace and support the immune system.” Get ready to load up on superfoods, probiotics, broths, and sauerkrauts!

• “Epic Breakfast Every Day” – With more people working from home and many  cooking more, breakfast is finally getting the attention it deserves! What used to be a Saturday morning ritual is now something you can look forward to every day of the week. Whole Foods mentions that there is an entire new lineup of innovative breakfast foods hitting the market fast.  

• “Coffee Beyond the Mug” – What pairs well with breakfast? Coffee. Except now you can get your coffee fix in all sorts of food – giving you a jolt whenever you need. We’re talking coffee flavored granola bars, chocolate covered espresso beans, smoothie boosters, and even yogurt?! This is definitely a trend we think you’ll see everywhere in 2021. 

• “Upcycled Foods” – We’ve already discussed how consumers are paying more attention to how much food goes to waste and food-manufacturing companies are catching on! Whole foods reveals that they are seeing a huge rise in packaged products using neglected or underused ingredients, such as peels and stems, to reduce food waste. 

• “Fruit and Veggie Jerky” – You don’t have to be a meat lover to snack on jerky anymore! With so many consumers moving away from meat, suppliers have started coming out with jerky-style fruits and vegetables with an array of sweet and spicy flavors. From jackfruit jerky to mushroom jerky, there are endless options to choose from.   

• “The Mighty Chickpea” – Chickpeas are indeed the new cauliflower. From chickpea flour to chickpea cereal, their reach has gone far beyond hummus and falafel. The Green Seed Group points out that aquafaba (the water that canned and other packaged chickpeas are stored and soaked in) can be used as an egg or milk replacement for a wide variety of recipes. Ever heard of aquafaba meringue, macarons, or ice cream? Google it! 

There you have it – A brief overview of this year’s food and beverage trends and what you’ll be seeing everywhere in 2021. Have you participated in any of the trends we mentioned? Let us know which you’ve tried out by tagging us on social media! You can find us on Instagram and Facebook!

Photo by: Charlotte Karlsen on Unsplash

Written by: Shelby Candler