The Food Channel (www.foodchannel.com) has released its Top Ten Food Trends for 2009, identifying the significant food movements consumers, foodservice professionals, and manufacturers should watch for in the coming year.
“For more than 20 years, the chefs and editors at The Food Channel have tracked emerging and mainstreaming food trends for our work developing food products, ideas and recipes for some of the world’s largest food companies,” says Kay Logsdon, editor of The Food Channel.
Top Ten Food Trends for 2009
1. Home on the Range—Downsized economy breeds new generation of home chefs, more food-savvy than their predecessors
2. Foodie 2.0—Growth of virtual and non-virtual food communities
3. Going, Going Green—Kitchens go eco-conscious
4. Living La Vida Locavore—Eating locally and seasonally, both at home and in restaurants
5. TMI?—Is seeing the calorie count on the menu Too Much Information (TMI), or will it lead to healthier choices?
6. FrankenFood—The rise of bioengineering and genetically modified food; the next evolution of last year’s Functional Food trend
7. Food Philanthropy—Individuals and companies address world hunger
8. Food Insecurity—The call for tighter food controls, after the tomato and jalapeño scares of 2008
9. Brewing Business—Striking a balance when cost is an issue; the divide widens between the exotic and day-to-day food needs
10. Where in the World…—is the next flavor trend coming from? It’s all about globalization and variety
“Not surprisingly, the majority of the 2009 trends have a ‘value’ message, reflecting the downturn in the economy and how the lifestyle around food is affected,” Logsdon says.
