5 Food Trends Of 2020: Consumers Will Be More Adventurous And Mindful Next Year

In 2020, consumer food choices may change as they gravitate toward the new choices being offered at restaurants and in supermarkets. These new food trends run the gamut from plant-based options to the more obscure, but they all are geared toward being healthy – a trend that many Americans strive for as the New Year approaches. Here are the top food trends that are expected to rear their head next year.

Plant-Based Meats

With 2019 essentially being the year that plant-based foods rocketed into the spotlight, consumers are giving these meat-alternative foods a fair chance or at least a taste in 2020. From Burger King launching the Impossible Whopper – a plant-based burger – to Dunkin’s addition of plant-based meats on its breakfast sandwiches, the plant-based craze is expected to continue into 2020.

Mike Kostyo, a trendologist at Datassential, told USA Today that he thinks the plant-based market will get “a little bit of a pushback” in 2020, but he still expects these items to do well on menus.

“We still see cauliflower growing on menus,” he told the news outlet. “We still see Brussels sprouts growing. I think you’ll still see a lot of plant-based options.”

Sustainable Foods

Sustainability will also be a key theme in 2020 as consumers look to understand exactly how the food they are consuming has been produced. With this demand, companies will respond through their marketing efforts and be more transparent in their production practices or change to meet the needs of their customer base, USA Today said.

"We’re starting to see this other layer ... in terms of my health and my diet could also affect the health of the planet," Jenny Zegler, associate director of food and drink for Mintel, told the news outlet. "That’s where that sustainability comes in."

International Cuisine

Consumers now more than ever are touching on their adventurous side and are looking to try more international dishes, especially the younger generations. South Africa has been a key region of interest with its barbecues and wine selections, and other regional fares are expected to follow suit.

"Demographics are shifting, and the younger generation is just, as a whole, more diverse," Kostyo said. "They’ve grown up eating interesting food from around the world. They grew up with social media and access to information at the drop of a hat.

“So, they’re just more used to eating new things, and they want more new trends all the time, so the trend cycle is speeding up because of that,” he added.

Healthy Brain Food

Another trend that will light up in 2020 is eating for brain and emotional health. With ingredients that can act as power foods, reportedly helping to focus the mind, boost mood, and mentally calm the brain, body wellness foods will be a trend that can’t be ignored next year.

Zegler even told the news outlet that these brain foods may start to appear during the 2020 election period. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we might see some more products promoting calming, relaxing. We’ve seen it already with the Pantone color of the year (Classic Blue)... and I could see some more messaging around that specific to the U.S."

Delivery Food

Americans are busy these days and want meals that are convenient, which why there has been a surge in delivery companies, offering quick and easy meals from favorite restaurants. According to Technomic (via USA Today), consumers spent $10.2 billion on food delivery in 2018, up 42% from the previous year.

"So, it’s more deliverable options, on the one hand, things that travel well and things that can hold up for 30 minutes when they’re on the way to your house," Kostyo said. "But also, the delivery industry (is) also making strides in making sure food can get to your house, or your office, or wherever it may be, and still be good quality and tasty."