Generation Z is looking for speed and convenience in their purchases of food and beverages, from pre-cooked food packages to individually wrapped snacks, smartphone delivery and curbside pickup. While COVID-19 has intensified these purchasing decisions, these trends are expected to continue after the pandemic. Generation Z spends most of their disposable income on meals away from home, making it the most important spending category for young people today. At 40%, dining out tops the major categories of spending of Generation Z, such as fashion, with 35%, or outdoor activities, with 18%.
For 4 out of 5 members of Generation Z, buying food and drink is more than just a means of livelihood: eating is also an opportunity to explore and connect with cultures from around the world. Health is the new wealth One of the most important trends of Generation Z is the emphasis on well-being, in which food and beverages play an important role along with areas such as exercise and relaxation. Therefore, food and beverage brands that can take into account the preferences of Generation Z and identify relevant trends can have great growth potential. CHICAGO A new Y-Pulse study explores campus gastronomic lifestyles and finds five trends that shed light on the gastronomic preferences of Generation Z, such as their desire to share culinary experiences and their concern for everyone involved in bringing meals to the table.
Get the latest articles, news and trends from the food and beverage industry straight to your inbox. Generation Z will promote climate-conscious eating and beverage behaviors as food becomes a fundamental tool for mitigating the climate crisis. Generation Z also tends to believe that their personal choices about food are an important indicator when it comes to sustainability, and 50% say that their individual choices about buying food and beverages have a “significant” or “moderate” impact on the environment. Food is fundamental to the identity of Generation Z; to say that food is important to young consumers is an understatement.
