Top Food Industry Trends of 2023

Because these dining experiences are more memorable than ever before, restaurants can adapt to new trends and mold their menu to precisely what their customers want. Grocery stores, manufacturers, and suppliers should provide food that can bring these experiences into the home.

Staying on top of, or even ahead of, these trends and taking early action means the food industry can thrive in 2023 and beyond.

What are the Predicted Food and Drink Trends for 2023?

Marketing Intelligence agency Mintel has released its predictions for the food industry for 2023 and beyond. Mintel echoes the sentiments that the last several years have drastically changed how we consume food, and industry professionals need to run with these changes and evolve with them.

Much of what these future trends center around is reassurance from restaurants and food brands. They need to tell customers that they can deliver what they need. Everyone is feeling overwhelmed, requiring more ease in deciding what to eat.

Taken from Mintel and several other food industry experts, the top trends for 2023 (and beyond) are:

• Changing definitions of “value” by consumers
• Minimalist messaging
• Catering to social media
• Weatherproofing provisions

It might feel like we’re preparing for an impending apocalypse, but these trends are simply a reaction to the hardships while making way for future innovation.

Trend 1: Customers are Defining “Value” Differently

The pandemic may be in the “rear-view mirror,” but it reminded people of what was really important in their lives: their health.

Global consumer data from August 2022 asked consumers how they defined “value” in food and drinks. Many people previously thought of “value” regarding what we consume as the “most bang for your buck” or what costs less per ounce or unit.

The #1 Most Important Factor Was “Added Nutritional Benefits”

57% of those surveyed said the best indicator of food value was the addition of nutritional benefits.

We’re paying more and more attention to not only what is going on in our bodies, but where we can get health benefits through nutrition rather than additional supplements.

Physically and mentally, proper nutrition is paramount. Consumers want more options that make it easier to optimize their mental and physical performance, at work and recreation.

It comes down to ease. Consumers are asking themselves, “how can I get everything I need to improve my focus, enhance my mental and physical well-being, and stay on budget?”

#2 Was “Made With Natural Ingredients”

Natural ingredients were number two on this list. Support for plant-based ingredients and nutrition has skyrocketed in the last decade, especially within the past five years. Relating to added nutritional benefits, the most popular energizing ingredients come from fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

New research creates opportunities to highlight how the digestive benefits of pro-, pre-, and post-biotics support cognitive function and health. We also see more and more advancements and additions of fiber-rich foods for the same purpose.

#3 Was “Is at a Lower Price Than Others”

Again, the perception of value directly related to price isn’t completely gone from consumers’ minds. While a lower price is important, price value is the perception of economic, functional, and psychological benefits in exchange for the product or service.

Essentially, are consumers getting their money’s worth? Are these added benefits pushing their food budget?

Trend 2: Minimalist Messaging

The second most important factor when consumers consider value is natural ingredients. Number one is the nutritional benefit.

Customers are hit with information overload daily via new-and-improved ingredients. How should businesses highlight these natural ingredients and critical health benefits? Through clean, straightforward messaging.

Mintel found that over one-third of consumers consider products that make too many claims untrustworthy.

So not only will simple messaging be important in the future, but focused nutrition will naturally accompany it.

Trend 3: Utilizing the Web

We make many food decisions at the grocery store or restaurant table, but we also make a lot before we leave the house. One study found that 80% of participants viewed social media as their primary source of nutrition information.

The product branding we see needs focus. However, customers, especially younger customers, look for more story-telling on their websites, social media, or marketing campaigns.

When we look for personality or in-depth information on nutrition and ingredients, we’re looking at social media. There’s too much to fit on the packaging, so share the rest via Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Trend 4: Weatherproofing

Consumers value adaptation and resourcefulness in times of uncertainty. Again, takeout and delivery services skyrocketed recently, and those who leaned into that are thriving. Ghost kitchens are more abundant than ever, and more and more restaurants are ditching large dining rooms in favor of large kitchens that accommodate more to-go services.

But there are other ways to adapt how we put food on the table. Consumers can always rely on the old staples of canned soup and vegetables to last for years in an emergency. However, now consumers want more shelf-stable foods. Natural disasters and supply chain issues mean that not everything is readily available. Consumers are looking for reliability in all aspects, especially food.

Investing in ways to keep food on the table for longer will be important in the coming years. You’ve probably noticed many health-focused foods that require freezing or refrigeration. Starting in 2023, this will change.

How DAR PRO Services Fit Future Trends

Making things easier for the customer doesn’t have to mean you’re making things more difficult for yourself or your employees. DAR PRO is here to ensure you have the time and means to keep up with the trends.

Not only does recycling your used cooking oil with DAR PRO have a massive, positive impact on the environment, but it also reduces the work you and your employees must do to keep things running.

Call us today to get ahead of the curve in 2023.