11 ways the future of food is changing

With an ever-changing array of new regulations, trends and consumption habits, the food industry is always transforming. Whether you run a traditional farm shop, a local cheesemonger or a deli set on showcasing innovation, keeping one eye on predictions about the food sector’s future is key for understanding what products to stock.

Technology, social issues and new ideas about health and wellness are among the drivers of change, according to Future of Food, a report on global food and drink developments by cultural intelligence firm Backslash. Discover the 11 growth opportunities these trends are set to reveal below.

Looking for more insight on the future of food? Download our free report, A Taste of the Future.

1. Mindful moderation

Moving to a more ethical food system could see several changes in consumer shopping habits, including a focus on quality over quantity. This will not only be seen in the fight against food waste, but also in moderation on meat. For example, shoppers may visit their local butcher for meat once or twice a week rather than buying cheaper and lower-quality meat products more often.

In the future, this could go even further. The report poses the idea of retailers creating reward programmes that give consumers more points for buying less meat or choosing not to use plastic bags or single-use plastic cutlery.

2. Transparent labelling

Introducing standardised carbon footprint labels on food is a clear next step for the food industry. Two-thirds of shoppers agree that carbon labelling is a good idea, and studies show that carbon labels drive purchases of low-carbon foods, the report says. In the future, trend-spotters at Backslash say restaurants and supermarkets may even refuse to serve foods that exceed a certain carbon footprint.

3. Taste of heritage

Heritage flavours are in the spotlight as more consumers are keen to connect with traditional cuisines from their own culture and further afield. For example, four in five Gen Zers say dining is an opportunity to explore and connect with cultures from around the world, according to research by Sodexo, the French food services company. As this trend evolves, it will focus on putting people first to avoid appropriation. For example, retailers might reevaluate where they are sourcing from and who their products are benefitting and choose to support small-scale growers.

4. Decentralising the food system

Consumers have become painfully aware of the fragility of our food system since the pandemic, and the report cites a growing interest in self-sufficiency, like growing veg, keeping chickens and foraging. In this environment, it says it will be important for brands and retailers to play an educational role. In the future, the report predicts, retailers might rent out space for people to grow their own produce.

5. The dining experience

Consumers are keen to be more involved in their dining experience, with interactive collaborations between travel companies and restaurants taking off in recent years. Consumers keen for priceless experiences could also be interested in ‘experience packages’ from retailers to elevate at-home meals with added elements like music pairings, table décor or interactive games.

6. Community hub

Increasingly, consumers are seeking community. Retailers can give back in several ways, like integrating with community gardens, offering pay-what-you-can meals or even hosting community meals with products that are about to expire. Cafés or restaurants could open their kitchens up occasionally to create a place where locals can gather, cook and eat together.

7. Precision dieting

The future of health food will be personalised, Backslash predicts. The global personalised nutrition market size is projected to reach $37.3bn by 2030, up from $14.6bn in 2021, according to Allied Market Research. For retailers, this could take the form of a service providing curated shopping lists made for individuals based on their nutrition needs.

8. Brain food

Eating to boost mental wellbeing is a trend that is predicted to grow in the future as research provides firm evidence. This will continue to boost the rise of gut-friendly foods, and, the report predicts, could even lead such foods to becoming the new ‘comfort foods’ thanks to their feel-good factor.

9. Lab-to-table

Lab-grown meat development is expected to be on the rise, with more than 100 companies in the cell-cultivated meat space globally. By 2035, it’s estimated that the industry will be worth nearly $2bn. As well as alt-meats, cultivated dairy products could be on the cards in the future. However, the question remains whether consumer demand for these products will match up with the excitement around new product development.

10. AI’s influence

We’ve all witnessed the rise of AI over recent months, and in the future, Backslash predicts AI-human partnerships may kick-start creativity in areas like recipe creation, personalised meal plans and new product development. On the flip side, the report says the future may see brands highlighting AI fails to showcase the true craftsmanship required in making their products.

11. A circular economy for waste

Products made from repurposed waste is nothing new in the fine food sector, but we may see this expand in the future. By 2032, the market for global products made from food waste is projected to be worth $83.3bn, with food waste being turned into everything from shoes to furniture to renewable fuel. “The potential for B2B partnerships is limitless,” the report says.