Organic Food Trends

• The US organic industry has expanded, its market is now worth $50.1 billion. The expansion of the market in 2020 was mainly a reaction to the COVID 19 pandemic.

• According to Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief marketing officer at Whole Foods Market. “There have been radical shifts in consumer habits in 2020. For example, shoppers have found new passions for cooking, they’ve purchased more items related to health and wellness, and more are eating breakfast at home every day compared to pre-COVID.”

• People choose organic food "for its human and animal welfare practices and for its sustainability and transparent supply chain stories."

• Producer brands such as Cargill and General Mills are now adopting regenerative agriculture practices, those which "regenerate soil that has been stripped of its nutrients and biodiversity by synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides"

Superfood Trends

Superfood Oils

• Consumers are becoming more mindful when cooking of how much oil they need. While hydrogenated oils actually have some potentially harmful effects, natural oils are superfood oils. "Extra virgin olive oil is well known for its anti-inflammatory effects and high levels of antioxidants. " However olive oil is now "taking a backseat as other oils, especially avocado oil and its skin-enriching properties," take the spotlight.

• Benefits such as high omega-3 levels, monounsaturated fats, and vitamin E have been seen in nut oils such as macadamia and almond. Also, CBD oil has also recently seen an increase in popularity, with results ranging from "pain relief and anti-inflammatory to mental health problems such as anxiety being mitigated."

Proteins

•  Plant-based substitutes for meat and egg have become a major consumer favorite.

• "In direct contrast to this, puffed or roasted pork scratches have also been glued as one of the biggest food trends of 2019." The roasted pork scratches are not only high in "protein but also contain mono and polyunsaturated fats that help keep your heart healthy."

•  New quinoa,' the grain that has gained prominence, is another trend. "It contains almost twice the amount of fiber and protein compared to quinoa."

Clean-label and Naturally Derived Products

• The growth of the market for clean-label ingredients has been stimulated as consumers are increasingly interested in identifying the ingredients used in the food and beverages they consume. This is due to concerns about the long-term effects on well-being and environmental sustainability of the ingredients used in foods and beverages, their nutritional quality, and their influence.

Research Strategy