United Fresh has released its ninth Trend Report for New Zealand, which has explored vital consumer trends such as healthy ageing, environmental sustainability and economic austerity.
Searching for blemish-free fruit and vegetables has become a thing of the past. Consumers are now embracing imperfection and learning to love ‘ugly’ fresh produce as a way of reducing food waste and supporting global sustainability efforts.
Overseas supermarkets have sold misshapen produce at discounted prices for years and now New Zealanders are getting on board. Woolworth’s The Odd Bunch brand is proving popular, and home delivery subscription services and social enterprises are popping up across New Zealand, such as Misfitgarden, Wonkybox and Perfectly Imperfect to sell produce that’s too big, too small or cosmetically challenged in some way.
An estimated one-third of the world’s food is never eaten (about 1.3 billion tonnes a year). So, the fact that consumers are more willing to overlook appearances and focus on the delicious taste and health benefits of fresh produce instead is a trend that should be applauded. It’s good for health, growers, and the planet.
Many have noticed that mushrooms are having a star moment. From standard white buttons to more exotic varieties like portobello, shiitake or oyster mushrooms, this ingredient has popped up in recipes and on restaurant menus everywhere. Their umami flavour is now regularly used as a meat substitute, particularly in place of mince.
“They’re not only packed with nutrition, but they are versatile, tasty, and they have a meaty texture when cooked without having to be excessively processed. For that reason, brands are going to be hot on using mushrooms in every which way throughout 2024,” the report outlined.
According to the Mushroom Council, grocery store sales of fresh mushrooms in the US have increased by almost 20% over the past 10 years, with consumers shifting slightly away from white mushrooms and towards brown and specialty mushrooms instead.
The New Zealand Commercial Mushroom Growers Federation Secretary, Daniel Van Shie, reported that within the mushroom category, portobello mushrooms and exotics like oyster and shiitake are also becoming more popular here. He has encouraged consumers to base a weekly meatless meal around mushrooms, as their incredible texture and enormous nutritional benefits make the perfect meat substitute.
Growing awareness of the health risks associated with highly or ultra-processed food has driven a shift towards eating less processed, nutritionally rich food. This has presented an excellent opportunity for New Zealand’s fresh produce industry to capitalise on this trend by championing the substantial health benefits that fresh fruit and vegetables offer.
In its 2024 food and drink report, global market intelligence agency Mintel said scrutiny of processing used in the food and drink industry is intensifying and will inspire consumers to look more closely at ingredients, nutrition and production this year.
“Expect to see a growing interest in less processed food and drink made with upcycled ingredients rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein and other nutrients,” the report said.
Ongoing marketing campaigns by 5+ A Day that highlight how nutritionally important it is to eat fresh fruit and vegetables have already produced results. These ‘whole food’ messages are well-received by consumers, chefs and manufacturers looking for healthy ingredients to add to their products.
Creating fake ‘takeaway’ food at home has been a definite trend in recent years, but one that has gained new momentum in 2024 as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. When one piece of fish and a single scoop of chips costs $10-$15, it’s no wonder more people have chosen to buy frozen fish fillets and make their own fries by oven-roasting or air-frying potatoes instead.
Turkish wraps, toasted pita pockets and subway-style rolls can easily be made at home using fresh lettuce or spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, sautéed onions, capsicum and other ingredients. People can recreate Taco Bell’s veggie bowls and Wendy’s loaded baked potatoes for a fraction of the price. Social media is full of fakeaway tips and hacks.
New Zealand supermarkets have said that ‘fakeaways’ have remained extremely popular in 2024 as consumers try to cope with inflation and high interest rates.
In January’s edition of Supermarket News, Mark Roper, Head of Sales and Marketing at Life Health Foods, said many Kiwis now eat out less to make ends meet, offering more opportunities for eat-at-home solutions.
“The ‘Fakeaway’ trend (make your favourite takeaway food at home) is set to increase with products that provide genuine, tasty solutions and are easy to prepare and reward,” said Roper.
Awareness of gut health and nutrition's role in reducing the risk of disease has changed consumers' eating and grocery shopping habits. The mysteries of the gut microbiome continue to be uncovered, and it’s now well-known that fermented foods like yoghurt, kefir, kimchi and other fermented vegetables can introduce ‘good’ bacteria that support the digestive system. Adding fibre-rich fruit like apples, bananas and berries and leafy greens into the daily diet can enhance the diversity of gut microbiome and create a symbiotic relationship with fermented foods to optimise gut health.
