Eating in future: trends and perspectives

Food has always had a fundamental role in the history and social behaviors of humankind. In the near future, the importance of food is not likely to diminish, but people’s relationship with food may assume different forms which – given the current phase of social uncertainty – are difficult to predict.

That said, the ultimate purpose of this work is to provide a framework of reflection in reference to the variables that will influence the future development of dietary styles, to understand how their interaction can generate future scenarios: this does not mean formulating predictions, but understanding what the dimensions and choices could be that determine future behaviors. 2030 is chosen, in particular, because as a time horizon, it is sufficiently distant to be able to develop some interesting projections, and at the same time, near enough to hypothesize a future scenario that is potentially realistic.

Commensality
Speed and space-time barriers are increasingly reducing the opportunities for gathering around the table, fostering a strong push towards individualism. We need to create more opportunities to facilitate the sharing of food that encourage dialogue, reflection and the enjoyment of sociality.


 Accessibility
We must work to ensure that access to food is guaranteed to large segments of people, and offers a wide array and quality.

Naturalness
Reduction of interventions and manipulations in the various phases of the agricultural sector, without sacrificing innovation.

Fusion
Exploitation of the total connectivity to increase the knowledge and the exaltation of the different food cultures and their authentic flavors.

Food at home vs Eating out 
There has been a progressive increase in meals eaten outside the home, often characterized by individualization and a lower quality of the food offering.