The Starting Line Up: Top 13 2016 Food Trends.

March 17, 2016

2016 is teeming with food trends. We’re excited to concretize our top 10 (+3 because we just had to) list of food trends for 2016. People are becoming more conscious about the food they consume, where it comes from, and how it impacts the environment. We have scoured, we have put our ear to the ground and we have our finger on the pulse of… well, of food, and this is what we are seeing. Disclaimer: this list has been carefully curated and cultivated, but it is by no means extensive. People are creative, and an entire year is long.

1) Limiting Food Waste: This is big for us. Arguably the biggest. Canadians waste $31 billion of food per year and 20 per cent of this waste is from leftovers. The push towards limiting our waste is important. This can be done through smart shopping, food preserving, composting, and many other actions.

2) Non-GMO products. As shoppers demand more transparency in their food, the non-GMO movement will continue to gain momentum. Spud has banned GMOs from all of our products. We do not sell GMO products, ever. Although we are special (hehe) the Canadian government is stringent about this. They have banned most GMO produce and only allow the trade of corn, sugar beets, canola, soy, and imported non-organic milk. Unfortunately, apples, potatoes, and wheat are in the process of approval.

3) Fermented foods and probiotics. Fermented foods and probiotics are growing, and not just in the hippie communities anymore. Eating fermented foods is beneficial for gut health. Items like sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, pickles, tempeh, and miso is blowing up because they taste so good, and are so healthy!

4) Plant-based Proteins. Plants have taken a meatier role in nutrition in the past few years, but not until recently have they tasted so good. Companies like Field Roast, Tofurkey, Daiya, Gardein, and Yves all have plant based cheeses and meats to satisfy your body’s need for protein. We recommend trying CHAO’s tomato cayenne cheddar in a grilled cheese- it’s unreal.

5) Grass-fed Animal Products. With new grass-fed products—from milk, eggs, yogurt, butter and cheese options to packaged meat snacks and even protein powders—sprouting up across the store, grass-fed has proven it’s no longer a niche category for health fanatics or Paleo devotees.

6) Dehydrating. Snacks can be made at home. Organic, tasty, hearty, and cheap. Unlike the kale chip craze of years past, 2016’s dehydrated trend takes it to new heights—from dehydrated broccoli, Brussels sprout and parsnip chips to sophisticated salmon, bison and chicken jerkies with grown-up flavor combinations. On-trend products include veggie options from Hippie Foods, Alive & Radiant, and Wonderfully Raw Organic Parsnip Crisps.

7) Food Prices Rising: Read more about how to evade these rising food prices in our post How to Save Money on Groceries.

8) Alternative and wheat-free flours. “Alternative flours” are not so alternative anymore. People are going nuts for gluten-free flours made from legumes, ancient grains, teff, amaranth and, well, nuts. Chickpea flour is a quick riser while other legume-based flours are showing up in bean-based pasta and other packaged goods. Cricket Flour is a new product, environmentally friendly, and tastes good.

9) Ethical Coffee: The focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing is increasing. Local roasters are leading the way in ethical beans. Fair Trade has taken on new meaning. Where and how the coffee you’re drinking came to be in your cup is more important than ever.

10) Cold Brew and the Likes: Cold brew. Flavored cold brew. Coffee drinks like ‘Rumble’ with coffee as an ingredient. Coffee flavored coconut waters. It’s been building and from what we can see it’s only getting more popular. Essentially, people have realized, you can add coffee to virtually anything to get the most caffeine possible.

11) Healthy Convenience: Healthy, natural products sold in a fast food way. Millenials love it. Think health bars, chia seed puddings, hummus, ready-made salads, and crackers.

12) Keto Diet: The Keto Diet, short for ketogenic, follows a low carb high fat meal plan. By lowering the intake of carbs, your body enters a state of ketosis where our body is ready to quickly break down fats. Here is the breakdown of what you need to eat if you want to eat a keto diet.

What is the Ketogenic Diet? A Comprehensive Beginner’s Guide

13) Paleo Diet: The Paleo Diet is another trendy diet, based on the types of foods cavemen ate… the meal plan here consists of heavy amounts of meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits. Paleo diet eaters steer clear of dairy or grain. They also avoid alcohol, starches, legumes, and processed foods.