Millennials are now the largest ‘healthy-eating’ consumer group in Australia at an unprecedented 32 per cent, according to a new report released by global research company the NPD Group.
The report suggests that requirements for health-motivated meals, ‘clean’ eating and transparency around ingredients have dramatically increased and online ordering of healthy food using mobile-phone apps is also now at an all-time high. The latter is said to be one of the defining factors behind the rise in healthy-eating statistics.
Speaking about the change in Australian food culture, NPD Deputy Managing Director Gimantha Jayasinghe said: “Providing easy access to healthier meals made with high-quality, local ingredients, steering away from ‘low-fat and low-calorie’ options, are a ‘must have’ for the most health-conscious generation of Australians. These health-led, quality-assured meals and snacks can no longer be an option in foodservice, but a ‘need-to-have’ offering within the industry.”
The growing number of Millennials – those born after 1980 and the first generation to come of age in the new millennium – searching for quality, healthy snack options do not solely rely on in-store purchases, either. Technology has had a huge impact on attracting a new generation of consumer, and digital ordering of food services, while still in its infancy, more than doubled in four years from $643,000 in 2013 to $1.369 million in 2017, according to the report.
Mr Jayasinghe added: “The tech space is growing rapidly as digital convenience tools continue to evolve. Those within the industry need to consider their digital platforms going forward if they wish to stay competitive in the foodservice space and to appeal to the new generation of consumer.”