The pandemic has changed the way we cook, and it’s given rise to new challenges and opportunities to reconnect with our kitchen. You may have gained a more refined palate while you mastered making silly mini pancakes. During this period, many of you also took on a serious social and racial equality stand. You also supported the efforts of local communities that are reclaiming food sovereignty.
After years of studying the trends for 2022, we decided to focus on what matters most to you now: what makes you happy and how we can make better food and beverage choices better for the planet.
Condiment Obsession
According to a survey conducted, 92% of American families plan on continuing to eat at home. However, cooking fatigue is real. If you’re not cooking as often because you don’t have the energy, then it’s time to step away from the kitchen and take a deep breath.
Due to the endless variety of food companies offering bold and diverse flavors, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to satisfying your hunger. Condiments are a great way to enhance taste and introduce bold flavors into family favorites.
The New Green Kitchen
A lot of people start their eco-friendly lifestyle in the kitchen. There are plenty of sustainable products out there that will make your life easier and less cluttered. One example of this is Stasher, a company that makes reusable storage bags.
Food waste is a large contributor to waste in the US, comprising 21% of all landfill. This is why composting is so important to reducing food waste.
The Food Network has launched a campaign called Combating Food Waste, which encourages people to turn their organic waste into something that can be used in their gardens and houses.
Underground Ordering
During the height of the pandemic, almost 8 million people were out of work. As a result, many states loosened restrictions so that people could sell “cottage food” directly to their customers. This was the key to Eric Huang, who was able to save his family’s restaurant after transitioning to a direct-to-consumer model.
Expect more restaurants to start using social media platforms to connect with their customers and expand their reach beyond the traditional restaurant model.
Fishless Fish
People are starting to understand the environmental impacts of illegal fishing. Due to the rising cases of ocean pollution, the term sustainable seafood has become outdated and unreliable.
According to a study conducted by the Yale Center for Communication, the carbon footprint associated with farming tilapia and catfish are equivalent to that of beef.
There are plenty of options out there that are both fish-free and plant-based. These products could be considered sustainable alternatives to traditional seafood.
Grocery Loyalty Pays
In the new world of grocery shopping, we’re using apps to order and pay for our food. While some basic items are cheaper, the cost is increasing due to the rising cost of food.
With grocery prices increasing at a 3.5% rate, many companies are revamping their loyalty programs to give members even more benefits. These plans can be found at Walmart, Albertson’s, and Kroger.
Some apps are also giving users exclusive perks, such as free shipping and delivery. They also have various bonuses, such as double gas points and discounts on prescriptions.