Vegetable beau monde: food trends of 2020

On October 16, the world celebrates Food Day.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) found it in 1979. The goal is to raise public awareness of the global food problem and unite in the fight against hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. The theme is different every year. Most of them are related to agriculture. This year, it's "Grow, nourish, sustain. Together." The FAO explains this year's theme choice by saying that the health crisis during COVID-19 is a time to think about the things we actually value. We appreciate again what we once took for granted—food. Food is the foundation of our cultures. Although we now produce more than enough food to feed everyone, hunger has not disappeared. More and more people are suffering from obesity, the environment is degrading, and we are losing agrobiological diversity.

Therefore, sustainability is becoming more important than ever. Protecting the environment is a must. Consumers are not just looking for ethical packaging and ingredients. They pay attention to the ethics of supply chains, animal welfare, and the carbon footprint of their lunch production.

Meat and dairy products from plants are no longer a novelty but a mainstream. Industry experts agree that the plant food trend is more popular than any other trend for food. In 2020, because of the pandemic (namely the reasons for its taking place) and special attention to health, consumers are increasingly choosing plant options because of their benefits, less impact on the environment, and ethics. Manufacturers are constantly expanding their range because of innovation. As a result, plant options are becoming more available, not only in hipster restaurants but also in the railway station's fast-food restaurants.

What to eat and drink to be healthy and sustainable? Here are some tips from the Vegan Challenge campaign: