2020 Florida

Food and Plant

Trends Report
From drinkable collagen to low-maintenance
gardens, UF/IFAS experts tell you what’s on
trend for 2020.
The UF/IFAS’s annual prediction
of trends in food and gardening
sees more eco-conscious and
unconventional choices for 2020.
Experts in plant sciences, food
sciences and human nutrition,
aquaculture, and plant breeding
see more in the year ahead.
The next pages contain some of
the hottest trends to look for in
the new year.
Food Trends
1 Meal Kits
Blue Apron, Home Chef, Hello Fresh and
the like have grown exponentially in
popularity over the past several years.
The trend is now headed to mainstream
grocery stores and less toward the
traditional subscription delivery service.
But this market likely will continue to
evolve and grow in 2020.

2 Alcohol in Tea
You’ll see more tea containing alcohol or tasting like alcoholic drinks.
Craft beer, kombucha and hard seltzer have all rapidly increased in
popularity in recent years.

3 Drinkable Collagen
Drinks and supplements containing collagen came along
a couple of years ago, and they are catching consumers’
attention. Collagen, a protein, can help skin cells renew
and repair themselves. It is commonly used in many
antiaging cosmetic products.
4 Organic Food
Organic products will occupy more shelf space in grocery stores,
and new products will be added. Total sales of USDA-certified food —
including grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts — have more than
doubled during the five-year period from 2012-2017. Organic food sales
accounted for 5.5 percent of total retail food sales.

5 Extreme Weather Impacts

Because of climate disruptions and extreme weather
events, look for higher prices at the grocery store.
That’s because coffee, bananas and avocado
production are at risk due to insects and
diseases. These food crops, staples
in many homes, are grown in unique
environments that are limited to
a few places on the planet.

6 Convenience Store Nutrition

Our busy lifestyles continue to create demand for nutrient-
dense convenience foods, so expect new products on the
market and increased sales of these products that are already
on the shelf.
7 Drive-Thru Groceries
Not to be confused with Meal Kits — which are targeted for single
meals — we’re talking about online grocery shopping. This
trend, which started several years ago, is gaining momentum.
Many major grocery retailers are now offering some sort
of online ordering system. Personal shoppers fill orders,
and customers conveniently pick up their groceries in
a “drive-through” style — often without even leaving
their cars.

8 A Millennial
Impact
At 27 percent, millennials comprise the
largest sector of the population They
are well-connected, and their buying
habits reflect that. Many millennials
buy via local farmfinder apps
and Internet orders directly from
farms. Thus, expect an increasingly
dynamic market that attempts
to respond to consumer demands
via e-trade.
Plant Trends
1 Native Plants
Plants are considered native to your area if they naturally
occur there. Native plants are generally lower maintenance,
requiring less water, pruning and fertilizer, and grow well
in their native range, which has made them increasingly
attractive to homeowners and commercial landscapes.

2 Plants for Wildlife

In recent years, plants that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators have
gotten attention for their positive environmental impact. Now people are
becoming more aware of how plants can benefit the wildlife we enjoy seeing
in our yards. Plants with berries attract birds, and layering plants of various
heights provides hiding places for other species.

3 Dwarf Varieties
Those without a lot of space for gardening are choosing
dwarf varieties of their favorite plants, which also require
less pruning.
4 Re-wilding Gardens
Re-wilding gardens includes encouraging beneficial insects,
reducing herbicide and pesticide use, pruning less and
planting more native plants. Those interested in re-wilding
their home landscapes should talk with their neighbors and
homeowner associations.

5 Edible Landscapes
More people are looking for plants that are both stylish and provide
food. Fruit-bearing plants, ornamental vegetables and edible flowers
can add taste and sustainability to a landscape.

6 Succulents
Though succulents and cacti have long been popular low-
maintenance plants, consumers are looking for less familiar
and unusual-looking varieties.

7 Dark Foliage
Plants with red, purple or “black” leaves are a striking
addition to any landscape, making them more attractive to
gardeners looking for something new in 2020. Plants such as the
‘Black Raven’ ZZ plant, the ‘Black Diamond’ crepe myrtle and red
Agloanema are examples of this trend.
 8 Novel Greens
Vegetable gardeners will be looking to
diversify their plots with leafy greens
commonly grown outside the United States,
such as mizuna, bok choy and komatsuna.

9 Softer Florals
Though a dozen roses will likely never go out of style,
floral arrangements featuring both flowers and foliage
are gaining popularity. For example, Florida greens
with leatherleaf fern is making a comeback in floral
arrangements, garlands and other plant décor.

Landscaping for
10 Natural Disasters
The increasing frequency and intensity of natural
disasters in recent years has made many rethink what
they plant on their properties. Though some may be
hesitant to plant trees near their properties, trees
have many benefits, such as lowering energy costs
and improving air quality, so experts recommend planting
species that are more resilient to wind and storms.

For More Information

Join the Conversation Plant Trends
Samantha Murray
@UFIFASNews

@UF_IFAS
352-294-3307, 949-735-1076 (cell)
or grenrosa@ufl.edu ifas.ufl.edu
Food Trends An Equal Opportunity Institution.
ufifas_solutions Brad Buck
813-757-2224, 352-875-2641 (cell)
or bradbuck@ufl.edu