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Changing eating culture: This is how our classic foods are disappearing!
Dietary change in 2024: Younger generations are avoiding classics like lard and sauerkraut, which is changing supermarkets.
Changing eating culture: This is how our classic foods are disappearing!
The food industry is facing dramatic change! According to a recent report from GfK Consumer Panel Services, both oe24 as well as sn.at many traditional foods that are particularly popular with older generations are in danger of disappearing from supermarket shelves. While classics such as lard, sauerkraut and coffee filters have been an integral part of the diet for decades, current trends show that younger generations are increasingly turning to plant-based alternatives.
The report highlights that generational shifts are largely responsible for this change. Over 41 percent of lard sales still come from the postwar generation, while Millennials and Generation Z combined account for just 6 percent. The preference for animal products is hardly any more pronounced among these younger groups; nearly 50 percent of those under 42 choose plant-based options. This has a direct impact on popular side dishes; many traditional products are severely affected by the decline.
The decline of the classics
These changes in eating habits are alarming! When you consider that filter coffee, once a must-have drink, is becoming severely unviable among young people, the change becomes even more evident. Older consumers account for over 75 percent of sales of products such as coffee filters, while younger age groups are increasingly opting for trendy drinks such as matcha and espresso. According to the study, these classic products could become “discontinued models of our grandparents’ culinary heritage” in the next few years. The rebuilding generation (born before 1952) is shrinking, which puts pressure on the future of many of these foods.
It is clear that consumer habits are changing and tastes are shifting. What consequences will this have for our menus and supermarket counters? The look into the future remains exciting – or should we say, worrying! A rethink is necessary in order to preserve the diversity of our food culture.