Thou shalt look to other sectors for inspiration
Innovations that inspire new products, services or marketing and communication campaigns in the food sector can come from any industry.
“Trends may transversally apply to different industrial sectors," says Picaza. "It is important to keep in mind how trends are being applied to innovations in other sectors, so they can be used as inspiration to adapt them to the reality of our business. In the same way, trends open up interesting paths for hybridisation food with other sectors such as technology, design, tourism or health.”
Picaza gives the example of Ananas Anam, a London headquartered company that takes the by-products from the pineapple harvest in the Philippines that would otherwise have been wasted, and uses these natural fibres to create Piñatex, a sustainable textile.
Meanwhile, according to Mintel food and drink analyst Jenny Zegler, inspiration for new flavours can come from current events, allowing them to be part of a wider, cultural interest that goes beyond food.
For instance, with 2014’s World Cup being hosted by Brazil, and the country set to host the Olympics next year, many food and drink manufacturers have been adding Brazilian-themed flavours to product lines, giving European consumers a taste for Brazilian flavours.
