User:Ab3l100/Food in the 21st century

21st century

As society changes at a rapid pace, so does their relationship with food. The world population is expected to increase by 9 billion people in the first half of the 21st Century. This, combined with the adverse effect that climate change is having on the farming and acgriculture indusrty is presenting major challenges for the world's food supply.

"Addressing these immense challenges will require the development and scale-up of new, innovative, and environmentally friendly agricultural methods and technologies. This, in turn, will require investments in agricultural research and education, and recruitment of students educated in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) into the agricultural workforce."

The way food is consumed throughout the United States, Europe, and other high-income countries has changed dramatically in the 21st century. Food purchases throughout modern times were generally dictated by the price of goods and income. In the 21st century, however, many more factors are in play in these high-income countries. While price, income, and traditional cultural preferences have decreased in determining food preferences, influences such as attitudes, information, perceptions and other psychological factors now have a great deal to do with modern food preference.

As far as the methods of dining go, technology and social media are having a huge effect on restaurants and dining culture all over the world. Delivery options and methods are changing rapidly in order to present more convenience to young, tech-savvy diners. In a 2017 study by American Express, it showed that 62% of millennial diners had used an app to order food whereas only 28% of diners from the baby boomer generation had done so. Also, on social media, 72% of millennials have used a social media platform to post about a restaurant experience.

The way that we as a society procure our food in urban and suburban areas is changing quickly as well. The traditional idea of a modern grocery store is in the process of evolving and adapting for the first time in decades. Things like the advent of technology and online shopping, personalized consumer insights and offers and the increased desire of consumers for fresh and local food are rapidly changing the way that people shop. In America, Amazon bought Whole Foods combining the company that revolutionized home delivery with a traditional brick and mortar supermarket. In Japan, grocery stores have experimented with growing produce right on-site to give their customers the highest level of freshness. And in Italy, they have created a modern wonderland for food.

“Eataly World opened [November 2017] in Bologna, Italy, with a million square feet of everything food: 40 farming factories, 40 restaurants, six educational rides — a Disneyland for foodies if you will. They predict 10 million visitors a year (Disney World attracts just under 20 million). This is a blueprint for ideas we should be incorporating in our stores. Taste, education, excitement, and empowerment — four things every supermarket should stand for.”