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The Modern Foodie and Authenticity

Instructor: Blaine Aberdeen
Emerging Food Trends
Download the Emerging Food Trends Trend Report
Whether it’s speakeasy bars, CBD snacks, or the globalization of exotic foods, consumers today believe food today should be experimental and many are looking to food as a means to discovery. Brands reacting to their consumers’ desire to explore through food are tapping into this by creating secret dining experiences rather than focusing on luxury.


In this module, you will explore the Modern Foodie through the lens of Trend Hunter’s Authenticity Megatrend and look into the consumers’ desire for an adventure through food. This megatrend is all about a deeper search for something that is real.
Related Trend Report: Emerging Food Trends
Workshop Questions:
1. Is your company seen as a food insider? Why or why not?
2. What new, edgy ingredient could you brand champion and how?
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Featured Insights

Cannabis Dining
Curated cannabis dining events and workshops are informative and interactive
Trend - Cannabis-themed dining events and classes are on the rise as the recreational and medicinal plant is legalized across North America. These events are indicative of the continued normalization of cannabis into consumers' everyday lives, while also catering to their preference for interactive forms of education.
Workshop Question - Conceptualize an interactive workshop that your brand could use to inform its customers on its product/service.
4.2
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Megatrends
Immersive Cannabis Dining Events
Immersive Cannabis Dining Events
Dirt Hosts Micro-Dosed High Dining Experiences in Toronto
Dirt is a Toronto-based lifestyle brand specializing in micro-dosed, high dining events that fuse high-quality cannabis products with music and good friends. Each dinner event is hosted inside a... MORE
Curated Cannabis Dining Events
Curated Cannabis Dining Events
Herbal Notes Hosts a Culinary Cannabis Speakeasy Event Series
Herbal Notes hosts a series of Culinary Cannabis Speakeasy events that are centered around “helping people understand mental, physical and spiritual wellness through food and music.” The... MORE
Cannabis-Focused Cooking Classes
Cannabis-Focused Cooking Classes
The Cannabis Cooking Company Offers Educational Cooking Classes
Toronto’s Cannabis Cooking Company offers three-hour sessions that help to get adults familiar with cooking with cannabis. In the Cooking with Cannabis 101 certificate workshop, the company... MORE
Artisan CBD Dinner Parties
Artisan CBD Dinner Parties
Celebrity Chef Scotley Innis' Dinner Event Served Up Elevated Eats
Celebrity Chef and Hell’s Kitchen alumni Scotley Innis hosted an exclusive CBD dinner in Atlanta this past March in an effort to educate audiences about cooking with the emerging ingredient.... MORE
Snackable CBD
The traditional protein bar is enhanced with the incorporation of CBD
Trend - Protein bars are being enhanced with CBD in order to elevate the benefits of these traditional items. With the rise of CBD in performance-enhancement or post-workout recovery items, these products offer a portable, on-the-go form of consuming CBD in a way that speaks to the busy "wellness"-minded consumer.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better prioritize the wellness-minded consumer?
3.6
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Megatrends
CBD Sports Nutrition Bars
CBD Sports Nutrition Bars
SNAAC CBD is a First-of-Its-Kind Bar Formulated with Hemp Cannabidiol
In collaboration with CV Sciences Inc., SNAAK Bar is introducing SNAAC CBD as the first sports nutrition bar of its kind to be made with non-psychoactive hemp cannabidiol. This nutrition bar is... MORE
CBD-Packed Protein Bars
CBD-Packed Protein Bars
Beam's Plant-Powered Protein Bar Shares 20 Milligrams of CBD
Beam’s plant-powered protein bar is packed with nourishing natural ingredients like seeds, dates, pea protein powder and sacha inchi protein powder, as well as organic pharmaceutical grade full-... MORE
CBD-Powered Workout Snacks
CBD-Powered Workout Snacks
The Floyd's of Leadville CBD Recovery Bar is THC-Free
The Floyd’s of Leadville CBD Recovery Bar is a post-workout snack that will aid athletes who are looking to stave off hunger, replenish their system and start the relaxation process. Crafted... MORE
CBD Protein Bars
CBD Protein Bars
Pura Vida Makes Cannabis-Infused Superfoods Packed with Plant-Based Protein
Pura Vida Health recently had its line of cannabis-infused superfoods redesigned by Brewing Creativity to better reflect its mission to serve the modern, health-conscious consumer. Some of the... MORE
CBD-Infused Recovery Bars
CBD-Infused Recovery Bars
These BRIO CBD Bites Help Alleviate Pain, Axiety, and Stress
These BRIO CBD recovery bars are both a naturally sourced and gluten-free snack option, Featuring ingredients like raw coconut oil, himalayan salt, and organic flax seeds, the bites are also infused... MORE
Insider Eating
Exclusivity and culture-savvy now trumps highbrow eating
Implications - As social media continues to fuel the consumer desire for authenticity, the foodie world turns toward cultural capital and insider knowledge as the true marker of the elite. This is in direct opposition to the idea of fine dining as the pinnacle of eating well. Essentially, Michelin star-studded gourmet restaurants are being replaced by dive bars that only those in the know are aware of. This is a result of the cash-strapped Millennial foodie, whose values are more aligned with culinary resourcefulness than expensive ingredients.
Workshop Question - How can you add an element of exclusivity to your products or services?
5.2
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Megatrends
Secret Dining Events
Secret Dining Events
Patrón Secret Dining Created a Special Cocktail-Paired Menu in London
The Patrón Secret Dining Society is a global program that recently made its first-ever stop in London to offer an exclusive cocktail-paired menu to a small group of diners. For this event in... MORE
Clandestine Retro Speakeasies
Clandestine Retro Speakeasies
This Hong Kong Speakeasy is Hidden Behind a Stamp Shop
Inspired by the local legend of two star-crossed lovers who secretly reunite in the middle of their lives, this Hong Kong speakeasy will appear to most passersby as a quaint little stamp shop.... MORE
Photo-Friendly Dining Tables
Photo-Friendly Dining Tables
Boston Chops' 'Instagram Table' Guarantees Good Food Pictures
It’s no secret that Instagram is a hugely important marketing tool for the restaurant industry in particular, and Boston Chops has taken that fact to heart with its ‘Instagram Table’... MORE
Millennial-Only Food Trucks
Millennial-Only Food Trucks
'Drop' Will Give Millennials the Chance to Eat Avocado Toast for Free
Loyalty app Drop is set to send a food truck downtown Toronto and give people the chance to eat free avocado toast—but with a catch. Drop’s food truck will exclusively serve Millennials who... MORE
Cavernous Underground Bars
Cavernous Underground Bars
'Alux Restaurant and Lounge' is in a Naturally Extant Cavern
Alux Restaurant and Lounge is newly open to tourists in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, but the space has been open for over 10,000 years. That’s because the restaurant, bar, and lounge is located... MORE

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Fast Protein
High-protein offerings are integrated into QSR menus for convenience-driven nutrition
Trend - As protein continues to shape nutrition and diet conversations, QSR brands are increasingly making it central to their menus; responding to a demand for options that still deliver speed and convenience. As a result, protein transforms into a normalized, accessible menu feature.
Workshop Question - How can your brand help consumers feel more in control of their choices within fast, everyday moments?
7.9
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Megatrends
Value-Focused Seasonal QSR Offerings
Value-Focused Seasonal QSR Offerings
Tim Hortons US Debuts a New Combo Menu, Protein Lattes & More
The Tim Hortons chain in the United States is commencing the new year with a broad assortment of new menu items and promotional deals, including a value-focused combo menu, a line of high-protein... MORE
Protein-Packed Qsr Menu Offerings
Protein-Packed Qsr Menu Offerings
Chipotle Delivers a High Protein Menu for the Protein Movement
Chipotle Mexican Grill has introduced a High Protein Menu that will be available at quick-serve restaurant locations starting December 23. Chipotle Mexican Grill's High Protein Menu includes the... MORE
Protein-Enhanced Cold Foams
Protein-Enhanced Cold Foams
Starbucks is Testing a Sugar-Free Latte with Protein Banana Cold Foam
As part of a larger menu overhaul focusing on relevant, modern and premium offerings, Starbucks is trialing a sugar-free vanilla latte topped with protein banana cold foam. The new protein drinks... MORE
Customizable Protein Beverages
Customizable Protein Beverages
Starbuck Canada Launches Protein Lattes and Cold Foam Drinks
Starbucks Canada has introduced 'Protein Lattes' and 'Protein Cold Foam Drinks,' reflecting the brand’s commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences and are designed to align with the... MORE
Cafe Brand Protein Smoothies
Cafe Brand Protein Smoothies
Peet's Vitality Menu Protein Smoothies Come in Three Flavors
Peet's Vitality Menu Protein Smoothies have been launched by the cafe brand to help consumers start the new year on a nutritious note without leaving flavor behind. The smoothies come as part of... MORE
Protein-Fiber Convergence
GLP-1 lifestyles spark demand for dual-benefit functional foods
Trend - As GLP-1 medications become mainstream for weight management and metabolic health, brands are realizing that protein alone isn't cutting it anymore. Now, functional snacks are being engineered with serious fiber content alongside high protein, creating products that actually work with how people using these medications need to eat.
Workshop Question - As medications like GLP-1 reshape how consumers eat and think about nutrition, what new market opportunities exist for your brand outside of traditional snacking?
8.3
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Megatrends
GLP-1-Friendly Protein Bars
GLP-1-Friendly Protein Bars
TRUBAR Supports Digestion & Satiety Between Meals
TRUBAR has dubbed its plant-based protein bars with dessert-inspired flavors "the perfect GLP-1-friendly protein bars," thanks to their nourishing, satiating formulas to support digestion and... MORE
Balanced Dairy Snacks
Balanced Dairy Snacks
:ratio Pro-Fiber Supports GLP-1 Lifestyles with 20g Protein & 10g Fiber
:ratio Pro-Fiber brings a first-of-its-kind, GLP-1-friendly functional snack to the dairy aisle, delivering 20 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber and zero grams of added sugar. This innovation... MORE
Functional Flavor-Driven Smoothie Ranges
Functional Flavor-Driven Smoothie Ranges
Naked Smoothies Introduced Three Updated Recipes
Flavor and functional nutrition are colliding with these new Naked Smoothies products that come in a variety of fan-favorite options to help consumers conveniently access premium smoothies. The... MORE
Ready-to-Drink Breakfast Shakes
Ready-to-Drink Breakfast Shakes
The UFIT Brekkie Shake Has 28-Grams of Protein
The UFIT Brekkie Shake is the brand's latest addition to its product portfolio that puts easy breakfast nutrition in focus to accommodate the shift towards protein-packed foods. The ready-to-drink... MORE
Craveable Protein Bars
Craveable Protein Bars
Linear Bar Rivals the Taste and Texture of a Candy Bar
A major complaint people have about protein bars is their unpleasant texture—they're often described as chalky—and Linear Bar is a new organic protein bar that "blurs the line between... MORE
GLP Protein
Protein bar brands are releasing formulas that fit in accordance with GLP-1 diets
Trend - Brands launch bars with tailored fiber blends and moderate protein levels designed specifically to appeal to consumers taking GLP-1 supplements. They reduce sugar and soften textures. Packaging emphasizes portion control and clinician-friendly positioning.
Workshop Question - How can we innovate our product offerings to align with niche dietary regimens of modern weight loss trends?
8
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Megatrends
GLP-1-Friendly Protein Bars
GLP-1-Friendly Protein Bars
TRUBAR Supports Digestion & Satiety Between Meals
TRUBAR has dubbed its plant-based protein bars with dessert-inspired flavors "the perfect GLP-1-friendly protein bars," thanks to their nourishing, satiating formulas to support digestion and... MORE
Health-Conscious Probiotic Protein Bars
Health-Conscious Probiotic Protein Bars
Munk Pack Debuts PROBIOTIC PROTEIN™ Bars & Breakfast Bars
Munk Pack aims to merge nutrition and taste in a single snack with its newly launched PROBIOTIC PROTEIN Bars and Breakfast Bars. These products target health-conscious consumers with benefits like... MORE
Science-Backed Mini Meals
Science-Backed Mini Meals
OPTAVIA ASCEND Focuses on Protein & Fiber for GLP-1 Users
OPTAVIA ASCEND is a new product line with a focus on high-protein, fiber-rich mini meals to support weight maintenance. The products in this lineup are featured in two new science-backed nutrition... MORE
Protein-Forward Energy Balls
Protein-Forward Energy Balls
The Protein Ball Co.'s Clean Energy Bites Support Protein Grazing
People want convenient, protein-packed snacks that energize and satisfy with simple ingredients that still taste great, and The Protein Ball Co. delivers with bites that are free from added sugar... MORE
Weightloss Fibre
Food manufacturers are creating fibre-rich products that compliment GLP-1 diets
Trend - Brands launch portable, low-sugar snacks and ready meals with soluble and prebiotic fibers like oats, inulin, resistant starch and psyllium, sized and textured to pair with GLP-1 regimens and reduce glycemic impact while supporting gut health.
Workshop Question - How can we design our products to align with evolving dietary trends and consumer needs for enhanced health benefits and user experience?
7
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Megatrends
GLP-1-Friendly Sugar Alternatives
GLP-1-Friendly Sugar Alternatives
Sweet Freedom Offers Sugar Alternatives for GLP-1 Users
Sweet Freedom is well-known for its all-natural sweetener, guilt-free treats, syrups, spreads and feel-good fizzy drinks, and as an expert in products that help with managing weight and blood... MORE
Science-Backed Mini Meals
Science-Backed Mini Meals
OPTAVIA ASCEND Focuses on Protein & Fiber for GLP-1 Users
OPTAVIA ASCEND is a new product line with a focus on high-protein, fiber-rich mini meals to support weight maintenance. The products in this lineup are featured in two new science-backed nutrition... MORE
Protein-Forward Energy Balls
Protein-Forward Energy Balls
The Protein Ball Co.'s Clean Energy Bites Support Protein Grazing
People want convenient, protein-packed snacks that energize and satisfy with simple ingredients that still taste great, and The Protein Ball Co. delivers with bites that are free from added sugar... MORE
Nutritional Supplement Delivery Systems
Nutritional Supplement Delivery Systems
Healthy Extracts & Lelantos Fibre Partner on an Innovation
Healthy Extracts has entered into an exclusive partnership with Lelantos Fibre to develop a novel nutritional supplement delivery system utilizing infused fiber straws. This collaboration may bring... MORE
Prebiotic Carob-Derived Fiber Products
Prebiotic Carob-Derived Fiber Products
CarobWay' CarobBiome' Doesn't Cause Gastrointestinal Upset
CarobWay' CarobBiome' is a new prebiotic fiber product developed by the food startup as an ingredient targeted towards satisfying increasing demand for gut health-focused food items. The fiber is... MORE
Protein Mania
Protein enters premium category amid wellness trends and drug-influenced eating
Trend - The protein revolution is sweeping through consumer markets as diverse demographic groups embrace high-protein, low-sugar lifestyles. This trend is manifesting across categories, with protein now added to virtually everything from candy bars to coffee, creating a spectrum from "protein traditionalists" who focus on whole food sources to "protein opportunists" who prioritize efficiency and convenience.
Workshop Question - Where does your brand fit in the performance nutrition spectrum—traditionalist or opportunist?
6
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Megatrends
Fruity Protein Drinks
Fruity Protein Drinks
Bucked Up Drops its 'Lightly Carbonated Protein Drink' in Four Flavors
Bucked Up has introduced its 'Lightly Carbonated Protein Drink,' a refreshing alternative to traditional protein shakes. Available in 'Banana Pineapple,' 'Orange Cream,' 'Peach Mango,' and 'Rainbow... MORE
Zesty Dessert Protein Shakes
Zesty Dessert Protein Shakes
The Premier Protein Lemon Bar Protein Shake Has a Citrusy Flavor
Many protein supplements on the market are characterized by their rich flavor, so the Premier Protein Lemon Bar protein shake has been launched to provide consumers with an alternative option. The... MORE
Fermented Protein Supplements
Fermented Protein Supplements
Vivici Vivitein™ BLG is Arriving in the US for B2B Customers
Vivici Vivitein™ BLG is headed to the US market to provide B2B customers with a way to elevate their products with protein that's crafted without the use of any animal-derived ingredients. The... MORE
Weight Support Supplements
Weight Support Supplements
youtheory Launched GLP-1 Support with Dr. Louis Aronne
GLP-1 Support is a new line of doctor-formulated multivitamins, probiotics and protein powder from youtheory, and it specifically addresses consumers using GLP-1 medications—or those who are... MORE
Convenient Cottage Cheese Cups
Convenient Cottage Cheese Cups
The Prairie Farms ProPack Snack Was Created with Hiland Dairy
The Prairie Farms ProPack Snack has been created in partnership with Hiland Dairy as a low fat cottage cheese snack perfect for time-poor consumers to choose as a high-protein way to stay... MORE
Soft Breakfast
Brands are releasing nutrient-rich breakfast bars designed for young children
Trend - CPG brands are releasing flavored breakfast bars designed for children. These breakfast bars are made soft and easy-to-chew, while also being rich in nutrients. These are designed to replace occasional breakfasts for children during busy days.
Workshop Question - How can we create convenient and nutritious solutions to support busy parents and their children's dietary needs?
4.9
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Megatrends
Kid-Friendly Soft-Baked Bars
Kid-Friendly Soft-Baked Bars
Kind Snacks Has Added a New Kind Kids Range in Two Tasty Flavors
Just in time for back-to-school season, Kind Snacks has added a new Kind Kids range. Just as the name suggested, the new Kind Kids range is a lineup of snack bars designed specifically to appeal to... MORE
Convenient Kids Breakfast Items
Convenient Kids Breakfast Items
Kodiak Cakes Launches a Broad Range of New Breakfast Products
L. Catterton-owned brand Kodiak Cakes has recently introduced a novel line of food known as Kodiak Cubs Adventure Flapjacks, Kodiak Peak Oatmeal, Kodiak Soft-Baked Sandwich Breakfast Bars, and... MORE
Gourmet Organic Breakfast Bars
Gourmet Organic Breakfast Bars
Little Gourmet Released a Set of Child-Friendly Breakfast Bars
Little Gourmet Organic Fruit & Veggie Oat Bars in Strawberry Carrot flavor are designed as a nutritious snack for toddlers aged 12 months and older. These bars are made with real fruit and... MORE
Chocolaty Banana Breakfast Bars
Chocolaty Banana Breakfast Bars
The Lenny & Larry Complete Kickstar Bar Launched in a New Flavor
The Lenny & Larry Complete Kickstar Bar is being launched in a new flavor to help parents and kids alike start off their day on the right foot with all their nutritional needs in check. The... MORE
On-The-Go Chia
CPG brands are creating convenient on-the-go snacks with healthy chia proteins
Trend - Brands in the CPG space are turning to chia seeds to create better-for-you alternatives to on-the-go breakfast offerings. Coming in the form of bars, bowls, and snackables, these packaged products offer healthy breakfast options for consumers with busy lives and limited time.
Workshop Question - How could your brand ensure its products or services suit its consumers' preferences while fitting into their busy lifestyles?
4.8
Score
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Megatrends
Unique Ready-to-Eat Oats
Unique Ready-to-Eat Oats
brekki Launches Lemon and Chocolate Coconut Flavors
brekki announced the expansion of its plant-based oat cups lineup by introducing two new flavors, ‘lemon’ and ‘chocolate coconut.’ These additions provide wholesome options... MORE
Probiotic Fruit Puree Cubes
Probiotic Fruit Puree Cubes
FruiChias Combine Fruit Puree with Chia Seeds
At the Winter Fancy Food Show 2024, Nature’s Garden manufacturer Cibo Vita shares its FruiChias, a probiotic-packed, fiber-rich snack that’s made from fruit puree and chia seeds. These... MORE
Vitamin-Rich Breakfast Bowls
Vitamin-Rich Breakfast Bowls
Sweet Nothings' Açaí Bowls Make Quick, Nourishing Morning Meals
Sweet Nothings is adding to its portfolio of squeezable and spoonable smoothies with vitamin-packed Açaí Bowls in berry and mango varieties. Available exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market... MORE
Grab-and-Go Nut Butter Bars
Grab-and-Go Nut Butter Bars
NuttZo's Chilled Nut & Seed Butter Bars are Packed with Protein
Mixed nut and seed butter brand NuttZo will be launching Chilled Nut & Seed Butter Bars at Natural Products Expo West 2023, sharing a portable way for consumers to take its better-for-you nut... MORE
Nutritious Breakfast Bars
Nutritious Breakfast Bars
Eden's Sweets is Enhancing the Health Snack Industry
Eden’s Sweets is enhancing the health snack industry with its Superfood Energy Bars and Memory Booster Peanut Chocolate Bars. Tailored for athletes and health enthusiasts, these bars combine... MORE
THC Aphrodisiac
Cannabis is used to boost libido and promote intimacy amongst couples
Trend - Cannabis is increasingly being used to enhance intimacy and sexual experiences. Often consumed orally, the substance is embraced due to claims that it potentially affects arousal, relaxation, and sensation during intimate moments, offering users a new way to explore and connect with their partners.
Workshop Question - How can your brand address consumer demand for experiential products?
3.8
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Intimacy-Enhancing Cannabis Gummies
Intimacy-Enhancing Cannabis Gummies
These Lavinia THC Gummies Come in Two Options
These new Lavinia THC gummies are formulated with intimacy and sleep in mind to help couples elevate their experiences together. The gummies come in two options including Kinky Bites and Goodnight... MORE
Intimacy-Supporting Cannabis Gummies
Intimacy-Supporting Cannabis Gummies
These Gummies Promote Sex Positivity & Intimate Connections
The Canopy Growth Corporation has launched a pair of new additions to its Ace Valley brand of cannabis offerings with the launch of a pair of cannabis gummies that are designed to support intimate... MORE
Rapper-Approved Cannabis Brands
Rapper-Approved Cannabis Brands
The 'Aphrodisiak' Cannabis Line Was Co-Crafted By Lil Kim
Celebrated cannabis entrepreneur and educator Priscilla Vilchis has teamed up with none other than rap superstar Lil Kim to launch an eye-catching new cannabis brand that aims to both provide... MORE
Sexual Wellness Gummy Supplements
Sexual Wellness Gummy Supplements
Alchemy Naturals' Intimacy THC Gummies Feature a Cherry Flavor
These Intimacy THC Gummies by Alchemy Naturals support enhanced sexual experiences with a blend of THC oil and Maca Root ingredients. Both are renowned for their ability to stimulate heightened... MORE