Survey Reveals Plant-Based Diets As Top Trend In New Zealand

A survey of
the New Zealand Restaurant Association has named vegetarian, vegan, and
plant-based diets as top food trends for 2018.

Trending
toward plants

The poll,
which was answered by 2000 of the organization’s members, revealed that 28
percent of respondents anticipate an increase of vegan, vegetarian, and plant-based
options this year.

Additionally,
64 percent expect to see an increase in overall demand for local, sustainable,
and plant-based dishes.

Global
shift

Restaurant
Association CEO Marisa Bidois told the New Zealand Herald: “Health,
plant-based, sustainable and allergen-friendly are some of the trends that our
own members have predicted and [are] consistent with what has been forecast and
reported globally.”

She also
mentioned that lactose-free options are in high demand – leaving chefs to adapt
to a less dairy-ridden food scene, in the face of population largely identifying as lactose intolerant.

Health and
ethics

Also citing less interest in alcoholic
beverages and a general shift toward healthier options, the observations and
predictions of the Restaurant Association ultimately reveal choice making that is increasingly motivated by health and ethics.

While ‘humane’ farming is still on trend, Bidois did note that recent changes are indicative of more conscientious buying habits in New Zealand and beyond.

She said: “Consumers
continue to be more informed about their food choices and the path in which
their food takes, from farm to plate.”