The Food Channel has put together their list of Top 10 Food Trends for 2011. It seems that there is a big focus on knowing where your food comes from, who produced it & how much care they put into getting a quality product to your table....
- Canning is cool. Food preservation is going to make a comeback as people see canning, pickling & preserving as a way to have more control over what they put on the table.
- Men in aprons. A gender role reversal is bubbling up in the kitchen. Not only are roles within the family changing but men have also been motivated by celebrity chefs on TV cooking shows.
- Local support. Consumers will continue to emphasize support for local growers & farms.
- Don’t ask, don’t tell regarding nutrition facts. At the same time as governments push to legislate healthier eating it is suspected that people will lodge a backlash against nutrition labels on everything. While people feel healthy eating is important they don’t need to know every nutritional detail.
- Food apps are in. Food has become the dominant attraction of smart phones. There is already a mass of mobile food apps available allowing you to locate restaurants using GPS, find out current deals & even check if there are tables available.
- Small is the new big business. Getting closer to your consumers will prove a valuable tool this coming year.
- Fresh every day. More people will start to go back to their local butcher, bakery & farmers market. This goes together with consumers desire for locally sourced foods & a connection with those that produce it.
- Chefs in schools. This will be the year we will get serious about feeding our children healthier, better quality foods. Reportedly, thousands of chefs will be working with schools to get better, fresher foods in school canteens.
- Discomfort food. People will be more willing to try new things & step out of their food comfort zones.
- Eating for other things. Consumers will be searching for foods that will help them look & feel younger, stronger & healthier.