Business Insider India has updated its Privacy and Cookie policy. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the better experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we\'ll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Insider India website. However, you can change your cookie setting at any time by clicking on our Cookie Policy at any time. You can also see our Privacy Policy.
These will be the biggest trends in grocery shopping for 2019, according to one of the top delivery companies
These will be the biggest trends in grocery shopping for 2019, according to one of the top delivery companies
Mary HanburyNov 9, 2018, 20:16 IST
Facebook/Peekaboo
Advertisement
2019 is set to be an exciting year for food retail thanks to technological innovation in the industry and exciting startups constantly pushing the boundaries.
Online food grocer FreshDirect has put together a list of what it predicts will be the top 10 food trends for the year ahead. The list was curated by a team of in-house food and wine experts.
2019 is set to be an exciting year for food retail thanks to technological innovation and exciting startups pushing the boundaries.
Online food grocer FreshDirect has put together a list of what it predicts will be the top 10 food trends for the year ahead. The list was curated by a team of in-house food and wine experts.
"Our FreshDirect and FoodKick food experts are constantly working with farmers, fishermen, artisans, and producers to source high-quality, great tasting products for our customers," Scott Crawford, chief merchandising officer at FreshDirect, said in a statement to the press on Thursday.
FoodKick is FreshDirect's same-day alcohol and essentials delivery business.
Advertisement
Crawford continued: "These deep relationships paired with FoodKick's ability to work with emerging brands place us at the cutting edge of what's happening in food and we're excited to announce what we see as the major trends and influences coming in 2019 and beyond."
Consumers can expect to see more innovation of "shelf-stable" foods such as pasta sauces or protein bars, which typically aren't refrigerated but will be after they are made with more fresh ingredients.
CBD-infused foods
Cannabidiol, an ingredient derived from the cannabis plant that has been linked to a range of health benefits, has become one of the most talked-about ingredients of 2018, with retailers selling everything from CBD teas and beer alternatives to CBD dog treats, coffee, and supplements.
According to the report, it's on its way to becoming a major trend in food as well.
Canned fish
Canned fish is in vogue at the moment thanks to trendy restaurants putting it on their menus. Now, we can expect to see grocers jumping on the bandwagon.
"The canned format allows for unique experimentation, fostering the ability for consumers to try rare and flavorful species from all over the world, regardless of season," FreshDirect wrote in its press release.
Oats
Oat milk has become the hot new product in the dairy-free aisle and is positioned to take over nut milks as the leading milk alternative.
Oat milk is a more sustainable and less water-intensive alternative option than almond milk, and it's often less expensive.
According to FreshDirect, we should expect to see more oat-based products in 2018, including yogurts and cheeses.
Spice packets
Consumers are looking for complete convenience when it comes to cooking, and spice packets and simmer sauces are coming to their rescue.
"These flavorful packets can spice up protein, noodles, or veggies in a portion-controlled, convenient, and simple way. Premium spice packets fit into the developing themes of portion control and one-time use, giving consumers more options with less commitment," FreshDirect said.
Cheaper organic food
Customers are increasingly becoming more open to buying organic foods that might not yet carry a formal certification.
According to FreshDirect, its sister company FoodKick started an initiative to support local farms by buying all their produce during their transitional stage, the three-year process that farms have to undertake to transition to organic farming practices.
"Customers can support local farmers and their better growing practices, while getting produce grown with organic methods before its certification at lower-than-organic prices," FreshDirect said.
Cauliflower
The cauliflower craze is already well-established in the US, but we can expect to see it creeping its way into more of our meals.
The vegetable is now used as an alternative to grains — cauliflower-based pizzas, rice, and crackers are a few examples of this trend.
Healthy kids' snacks
Kids' snacking is about to get a lot healthier; cookies and crackers are out, and nutritious alternatives are in.
Even ice cream is getting a makeover. Trendy food startup Peek-a-Boo has created new recipes that bring vegetables into the mix.
Technology enables seasonal produce to be available year-round
Innovation in food production will enable out-of-season strains and varietals to be grown locally, FreshDirect said.
This means we can expect to see more tropical produce on the shelves in 2019.
Healthier drinks
Healthier drinks will be the flavor of 2019. Expect to see more drinks with lower alcohol volume, such as ciders and session IPAs, as well as non-alcoholic spirits and digestive enhancement alcoholic beverages like Kombrewcha.
