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December 22, 2008 • Volume 22, Number 19 • http://www.foodchannel.com |
SPECIAL EDITION: TOP FOOD TRENDS FOR 2009
The Food Channel® presents its Top Ten Food Trends for 2009. The list is based on research conducted by The Food Channel in conjunction with the World Thought Bank found at http://www.neemee.com, and the International Food Futurists™. Here’s what to look for in the new year: |
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![]() 1. Home on the Range — The return to home cooking is no big surprise. In a downsized economy, people will be spending more time eating at home. The difference is, they know a lot more about cooking than they used to and want to apply that knowledge in the new economy. They’ll be learning more about cooking and flavors, turning to online sites and TV cooking shows, taking cooking classes, and sharing family recipes.
2. Foodie 2.0 — People want a community around food, and they are getting it on the virtual hearth.
3. Going, Going Green — We’ve seen “green” get really focused in the kitchen, particularly because “green” can mean efficiency and cost savings.
4. Living La Vida Locavore — This is all about eating locally, whether you are at home or patronizing a local restaurant that buys from local farmers.
5. TMI? — Is seeing the calorie count in bold type on the menu Too Much Information (TMI), or will it lead to healthier choices?
6. FrankenFood — This has several components, including the rise in bioengineering, more genetically modified food and a merging of last year’s trend toward functional food.
7. Food Philanthropy — We see people and companies stepping up to incorporate food philanthropy, so that addressing the need becomes almost automatic.
8. Food Insecurity — After the tomato and jalapeno scares of ’08, Americans are looking for tighter controls around food. We’re also doing more preparation in case of disaster in light of the fires in California and hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.
9. Brewing Business — Beverages are just part of the balancing act — we’re trying to retain select luxuries and dumbing down our choices when cost is an issue. So, fast food chains will continue to go after the specialty coffee crowd, but the Starbucks experience of an “affordable luxury” will still have a certain cache.
10. Where in the World — …is the next flavor trend coming from? It’s all about globalization and variety now. While we’ll be making fewer trips abroad this year, we’ll still want to taste what’s new and exotic.
BONUS: Clandestine Cuisine — This compelling trend plays off the new mobility possible around food. It’s the underground restaurant, where you have to be “in the know” in order to know where and when they are serving tonight. You may find yourself checking websites to see where the Skillet Street Food trailer is going to be parked. To read the evidence supporting these trends, follow the links below:
The Food Channel also publishes a great consumer newsletter, called FoodWire®. To receive a copy, please register your email address at (http://www.foodchannel.com/newsletters). |
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