FoodMix Predicts the Future of Food in 2024
DAN O’CONNELL – FOUNDER/CEO
Here we go again, what’s going to be hot in 2024? We look at food, consumer, channel, and marketing trends that you may want to take notice of in the New Year!
But before we go – how did we do last year? Of 8 predictions last year, we can say confidently that all rang true to varying degrees. Check out our news section of foodmix.net and judge for yourself. Most substantively, we predicted that the bloom may be off the rose that is called the MetaVerse – maybe Facebook changed their name too soon? AI Inc. might have been a better choice? Which leads us to our first prediction of 2024
- Artificial Intelligence will take time to change the world, but productivity tools already exist and are rapidly becoming mainstream. Anyone who has spent time using AI tools to get a project done realizes they are more efficient and likely more thorough. Think of Regenerative AI as a collaborative tool, not a replacement for human creativity. The two most important inputs for AI to make a bigger societal impact are massive computing power and large quantities of high-quality data.
- Interesting food and beverage trends likely to gain steam in 2024 including complex heat, classics making a comeback, kimchi fermented Korean vegetables, ube Philippine purple yam, halloumi a high protein Mediterranean cheese, Patsy, an easy to eat hand pie from the UP. In the category of Feeding the Treat Culture, look for small permissible indulgences “just for me”.
- America will not eat less – but they may take more supplements. Despite the popularity of Ozempic and Mounjaro, diabetes drugs that have proven to be effective for weight loss; there is no evidence that sales of decadent foods are retreating. Those who are using these drugs are seeking supplements to fortify their diets. However, the cost of these drugs, unpleasant side effects such as nausea will continue to prevent a slimmer America – or at least a substantive impact on food sales.
- The path food takes to the table will matter more than ever before. According to the Hartman Group 69% of Gen Z consumers base their food and beverage purchases on environmental or social well-being issues at least sometimes. It’s not just the farm-to-table stories that matter, plant-to-table is going to be under the microscope as well.
- Americans are never going to embrace eating insects – but some coastal chefs and even Tyson Foods are betting that the $1.4 billion global market will spread like, err locusts! Probably not in your backyard, or from it either.
- Upcycled ingredients are working their way into more and more foods. According to the Upcycle Food Association – 8% of human caused greenhouse gas emissions come from food loss waste. Upcycle foods like cacao pulp for jams and jellies, or bacon fat in biscuits are examples for human consumption. Upcycled ingredients can also be included in animal feed, pet food, cosmetics and disposables as ASR Group uses sugar cane “waste” for Tellus, a line of plant-based disposables.
- MSG is back and it won’t give you a migraine! In fact, it will give all sorts of food a big, tasty flavor boost. MSG occurs naturally in foods and loads of research disprove the unfounded negative associations.
- Brands will continue to draft off Pop Culture – In spite of Bud Light’s train wreck – culture will inspire brands. Taylor Swift snacks on nuggets with ketchup and “seemingly ranch” at her boyfriend’s football game and guess what Heinz does? It creates “ketchup with seemingly ranch” all of which has breathed life into Heinz’s Kranch that has been on the market since 2019.
- Relax, we are all going to have jobs next year – AI cannot predict the future. We asked ChatGPT what the biggest food trend for 2024 will be? And the answer…” I don’t have access to information beyond my last knowledge update in January 2022, so I can’t provide specific details about food trends in 2024.”
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