Millennial Food Choices Impacting the Food Industry

If you have noticed a change in food trends over the past couple of years, this is partly due to millennials. Composed of people born in the early 1980s ‘til about 2004, the millennial generation is considered the largest age group since the Baby Boomers. The food choices or preferences of millennials are helping in identifying what you will need in restaurants as well as grocery stores all over the world. But the question is, how their food choices impact the food industry?

Fast-Casual Dining

Did you know that almost 50 percent of millennials categorize themselves as “foodies”?

Food and even beverage aren’t only for nourishment, as a matter of fact, they are also a form of personal expression, and social media drives this expression. For this reason, companies and restaurants actively engage with this generation on various platforms to stay relevant and most importantly, build a successful name.

However, one of the areas that dominate the food industry is the development of the concept known as fast-casual dining. Millennials now tend to choose a restaurant that provides natural and hormone-free ingredients and greater dining experience than usual fast-food chains. Most of these restaurants also make use of sustainable materials in their packaging and design.

To not fall behind, traditional food brands will need to start implementing this concept by offering food customization; accepting mobile payments; using better quality and natural ingredients; offering craft wine & beer, customized portion sizes and using biodegradable and compostable food packaging materials at their restaurants.

Grocery Shopping

Aside from restaurants, the impact of millennial food choices is felt in the grocery aisle as well. Brand names are no longer automatic grabs and introductions of new products are rampant.

The private label beverage and food sales keep on growing and as a matter of fact, millennials support this industry intensely. They perceive these items as more innovative and of better quality, with easy to read labels that promote healthier eating with more natural ingredients.

It is All About Convenience

According to the 2017’s Food and Health Survey of the International Food Information Council, 55% of millennials recognized convenience as the main driver in buying food. Moreover, millennials have been proven to be the promoters behind the increase of online ordering, street food and food trucks, grocery delivery services, and meal kits trends.