March 8, 2017
There are about 69 million Millennials (adults ages 18 to 34), also known as Generation Y, in the United States. According to Simmons data, Millennials are significantly more likely than those over the age of 35 to express their individuality. ReportLinker has released its latest Culinary Trend Tracking Series report, which explores how to cultivate the demanding but trend-setting Millennial generation as consumers by focusing on the following strategies and product categories:
Customization
Salad bars and self-service hot food stations set the stage in both food service and retail for a full-fledged customized dining lifestyle. Once customers get a taste of customization, they won’t look back.
Mashups
Taking up where fusion left off, the sky is the limit for the mashup trend, including a growing opportunity for consumers to get involved in the creation of the newest crazy-mixed-up food or beverage.
Munchies
Ditching the three-meals-a-day standard, Millennials are reshaping how Americans eat, often opting for several snacks or small meals throughout the day. With 35 percent of Millennials trending toward snacks as meal replacements, munchies are now expected to be healthful, flavorful and portable.
Bowls
Burgers may still be king, but bowls are fast becoming the preferred vessel for everything from rice, noodles and salad to quinoa, acai and pok . Whether the ingredients are customized or pre-set, bowls allow for creative expression and plenty of room for healthy ingredients, all within a familiar format.
Shrubs and Digestives
As consumers become more interested in probiotics, shrubs and digestive have taken on new life in the market as beverages, mixers, and flavoring agents.