NEW YORK CITY – Millennials are impacting the food landscape. As the biggest cohort in the United States, their tastes and preferences for food have shaped the way we eat, the Washington Post. Here are seven ways millennials are influencing food.
1. They demand food makers tell the truth. “Big food producers are starting to listen to consumer demands for transparency about ingredients and sources, and this request is largely driven by millennials who want to know how their food is made,” wrote Cara Rosenbloom in the article.
2. They want it their way. Millennials love to custom-design everything, from main courses to sides. “If you notice more quick-service restaurants offering customizable options that you love, thank a millennial for that,” Rosenbloom wrote.
3. They want convenience. Millennials love easy when it comes to food. “Millennials are the drivers behind meal kits, grocery delivery services, food trucks, online ordering and the growth of heat-and-eat options at grocery stores,” Rosenbloom wrote.
4. They define “healthy” differently. Millennials don’t think healthy means low-fat or high fiber. They view healthy as locally sourced, natural, organic or sustainable.
5. They want to help the planet. Millennials care about where the food comes from and from how far away. “Sustainability is a priority for them when buying food at grocery stores or restaurants,” Rosenbloom wrote. “Millennials’ awareness of environmental issues has influenced food manufacturers to institute better earth-friendly practices.”
6. They snack. All the time. Millennials like to graze, rather than consume three square meals a day. That preference has pushed food companies to meet their need for convenience by demanding food packages that are resealable, easy to open and portable.”
7. They are adventuresome eaters. Millennials enjoy sampling new flavors and ethnic, vegan and vegetarian foods.
Rosenbloom does offer one cautionary note: Millennials usually get their nutritional information from bloggers, social media fitness gurus and websites, which could lead to nutritional misinformation. “This can spread nutrition myths (like their love of organic food), and can be harmful for future generations, including their very well-fed babies,” she concluded.