The year 2017 goes down in history as the most important ever in grocery. The food world around us is changing at incredible speed, and the industry must evolve. The new retail model must be built around the consumer and create an environment that empowers consumers and makes their lives easier, healthier and more enjoyable.
According to Hudson Riehle, from the National Restaurant Association, “local, vegetable-forward, and ethnic-inspired menu items will reign supreme in 2018.” Consumers are implementing these trends in their own lifestyles and want to see them reflected on restaurant menus. In response, chefs are creating more items in-house and turning to global flavors.
The trends that will prevail in the food and beverage industry this year are as follows:

• Mindfulness

Mindfulness reflects a new consumer attitude, mostly led by millennials, to truly understand everything possible about a particular food or beverage and then support the company, whether it be a brand or a retailer, by aligning with its values and supporting it with purchases. Seven out of 10 U.S. and U.K. consumers want to know and understand an ingredient list. Food and beverage brand introductions that feature ethical claims on their packages have increased seven-fold since 2010, and these human, environmental and animal ethical claims continue to grow in popularity. The new leaders of food are driven by a new set of corporate values: social conscience, health and wellness, enhanced nutrition and life hacking.

• Tactile

Multi-sensory is the new secret weapon for food in products, their packaging and in-store. YouTube stars like ASMRDarling, HungryCakes, ASMRTheChew and GIBIASMR have tens of millions of followers, and some of their videos have more than six million views. They have become the next food superstars, leading viewers into another dimension to feel and hear food. 3D printing will create more tactile food experiences and become a more efficient and less wasteful food production method.

• Farming

Consumers are looking for foods that are made simply and grown naturally without unnecessary chemicals, processing or cooking stages. There is a growing direct farm-to-consumer connection as communities strive to get closer to nature. The FreshFoodNY app is a virtual farmers’ market where New Yorkers can purchase local food directly from farmers, fishermen and artisans.

• Plant-based food

As more and more consumers are opting for a plant-based diet, restaurants are meeting the growing demand for meatless dishes. According to Mintel, a research firm, between 2012 and 2016 there has been a 25 percent increase in vegetarian claims and a 257 percent rise in vegan claims in new products in grocery stores.

• High-end no-alcohol drinks

House-made sodas, fresh juices and other booze-free drinks, often with health claims are the beverages that will prevail this year.
Here are some of the top trends in Food & Beverage for 2018:
1.Ethnic-inspired breakfast items
2.Avocado toast for Breakfast/Brunch
3.Street food-inspired
4.Vegetable carb substitutes
5.Seafood charcuterie
6.Non-wheat noodles/pasta
7.Farro
8.Hand-made pasta
9.Uncommon herbs
10.Hybrid fruit/vegetables
11.Exotic fruits
12.New cuts of meat
13.Sustainable seafood
14.Heritage-breed meats
15.Plant-based burgers
16.House-made sausage
17.House-made/artisan soft drinks
18.Cold-brew coffee
19.Gourmet lemonade
20.Locally/house roasted coffee
21.Specialty iced tea
This article was exclusively written by DK Consultants for the AMCHAM newsletter.