The Consumer Food Trend Series

The tastes of the Canadian consumer are changing. They are choosing foods based on lifestyle, daily schedules and demographics, such as age, income, ethnicity, etc. The Consumer Trend Series is a joint project of the Strategic Information Services Unit, Agri-Processing Branch and Ag-Entrepreneurship Division of Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (AAFRD), along with the Agri-Food Branch of Alberta Economic Development.
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This series looks at the current and emerging food consumption trends in order to define market opportunities and provide recommendations to the Alberta agri-food industry in their business decisions. It's target audiences are the Alberta producers, small-to-medium size processors, food marketers, industry associations and AAFRD staff. The project covers the following topics:

Understanding Consumer Trends Can Present New Opportunities - when studying eating styles, age, personal health, ethnicity and family food attitudes. Monitoring these factors provides an understanding of current trends. (Leona Reynolds-Zayak).

Canadian Consumer Trends in Obesity and Food Consumption - looks at associated health risks, trends in nutrient intake along with the concern of obesity. Marketing strategies and recommendations are provided for producers and processors. (Yanning Peng).

Consumer Trends in Food Safety - identifies, where consumers think the greatest chances of problems occur, who they think is responsible for providing safe food, where they get food safety information and what a processor can do to address these concerns. (Diane McCann-Hiltz)

Consumer Trends in Fruits and Vegetables - looks at consumption levels, how the Canadian food dollar is spent in restaurants and retail, the influence of demographics, interest in specialty foods, convenience and other trends. (Sharon Faye).

Canadian Kosher Market - is growing (i.e, 19.7% increase between 2000-01) and can be associated with any cuisine. There may be opportunities for Alberta processors. (Leona Reynolds-Zayak).

The Aging Consumer Population - focus on health, smaller packages and food packed with nutrients. Alberta processors have an opportunity to meet this growing segment. (Sarah Oliveira).

Vegetarianism - A Meatless Eating Experience - The vegetarian consumer represents about 4 per cent of the Canadian population and this segment is growing. There is potential for a wider variety of products. (Sarah Oliveira).

Consumer Market for Bone Health Benefits - provides an insight into the current status and future potential of the global market for bone benefit functional foods and drinks. (Rachid El Hafid).

Market Forces in the Fruit and Vegetable Industry - Market forces in the fruit and vegetable industry, takes a look at global changes and recent trends in the market place

Please fill out and send back the attached Consumer Food Trend: Evaluation form.

These reports may be requested in one bound document, or as individual reports. For more information or copies of the reports, please contact Magda Beranek at (780) 422-7101 or by email: magda.beranek@gov.ab.ca. You can also click on the above documents and access the pdf file.

The Consumer Food Trend Series

Other Documents in the Series