January 2024                         Volume 20 Issue 1

Happy New Year!

Food Trends 2014

Consumers seek to empower themselves; the food and beverage industry is responding with a rich tapestry of flavors and experiences. Imagine savoring exotic and earthy tastes, reminiscent of faraway places, bringing the world to your palate. Escape to tropical islands through the flavors of 2024 and explore the fusion of global and local tastes (Glocal), all while embracing female connoisseurs who advocate for culinary mastery. 

From spicy-sweet global flavors to playful layers of taste, this culinary adventure will redefine how we experience food. The “complex spicy” will offer an adventure of both heat and depth. Think: sweet, spicey, sour and bitter as a blend. Authentic flavors, reimagined and refreshed, blend tradition with invention, ensuring every bite is a genuine delight.

One of the defining trends of the year is expected to be third-culture cuisine, or dishes from a chef's diverse background. Think: restaurants, which bridge Japanese and Italian cultures, and Filipino-British bakeries. 

Beverages in 2024 will see the

rise of tropical and citrus flavors, such as passionfruit, mango, pineapple and blood orange across spirits, ciders and ready to drink beverages,  highlighting the evolving preferences of consumers for more international flavors.  There is also a huge push for mocktails or zero alcohol choices in both restaurants and  stores. 

We are going to hear more  opinions on Ozempic, lab-grown meat, general optimism on the year head and an update on post-COVID behavior. Covid appears to just not leave us alone and has resurged again, we have learned to live with it. 

As the food landscape continues to evolve—reflecting technological advancements, cultural and economic shifts—the International Food Information Council (IFIC) presents its annual food trends forecast. According to its team of food, nutrition and health experts and its consumer research insights, 2024 will see more functional beverages, a boom in botanicals, rising demand for foods that support emotional well-being, a focus on food labels and a growing acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI).

Capping off a decade of food and flavor forecasts, where we’ve accurately predicted the growth of ingredients including yuzu, ube and gochujang using data from multiple sources, and backed them up with support from our AI-trends prediction tool.

• Black garlic and ponzu will be  on menus this year.
• Spam may be making a new life for itself in 2024, due to the price point. 
• Add tang with pickled green mango sauce, amba, in the years ahead. Plus, spices like Tajin. 
• 63% of consumers are optimistic about the year ahead and half of consumers say food delivery is too expensive and food itself is too expensive.

Price, convivence foods and beverages to go will continue in popularity.  Americans are looking for economical nutrient rich foods for “on the go”. 

Healthy aging will intensify with precision nutrition to promote vitality and longevity and to promote mental health for our aging population. We are now seeing Americans to live to be 90 to over 100. There is an emphasis on quality ingredients to promote health, while good nutrition and exercise are top priorities for this age group, plus keeping their minds active, with many still working. 

Oliver Foundation Healthy Choices Grant

Next Deadline April 15, 2024

Apply Now

School Health Grant:

Reaching for Excellence in Texas

The School Health Program awards funds to Texas schools and school districts for projects that improve or promote health. The projects should engage students, their families, and the community. DSHS (Department of School Health Services) award programs have funded more than 100 projects in the last 30 years. 

Two grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded. Funds will be released in the form of reimbursements to award recipients.

• Application Deadline: January 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. CT
• Project Timeline: September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025

Apply Here

Ayla Patel, Teen Board Member

The Kinkaid School - Houston, Texas 

Teen Board Member 2023 - Present

Ayla is a sophomore at The Kinkaid School. She enjoys playing violin and has been learning since the age of 6. Among numerous competitions and recitals, Ayla plays for the Virtuosi of Houston, a chamber orchestra, as well as her school orchestra. Ayla is passionate about connecting with her community through numerous community service efforts, such as partaking in the Student Hero leadership program at the Houston Food Bank, where she works among staff while helping the Houston population. Additionally, Ayla is a member of her school's Busking Club, which throws semi-annual concerts and events to raise money for charities around the world. Most recently, Ayla co-founded the Kinkaid Welcomes Refugees Club at her school and is excited to start a year full of service-based events. Outside of school and extracurriculars, Ayla enjoys spending time with her friends, family and dog.

Start the New Year Right!

Every year, as the clock strikes midnight, we all begin our new year with tons of resolutions. From practicing a minute of mindfulness every day to climbing Mount Everest, New Years' Resolutions come in millions of different forms. However, how often do we actually follow through with them? According to the Fisher School of Business, only 9% of Americans follow through with their resolutions, and 43% quit by the end of January. 

So, what are some ways to help you follow through with your resolutions?

• Make a specific plan. This can include the exact time, process, or days you will work towards your end goal. The more specific your plan is, the less decisions you must make to complete your task, making you more likely to do it. 
• Purchase/accumulate your necessary supplies. Let's say your goal is to build a doghouse for your new puppy. It's important that you have the necessary equipment, such as wood, nails, and paint. 
• Additionally, make sure you have a reason/motivation for your goal. If you have a specific, impactful "why" behind your aspirations, you're much more likely to continue the difficult process of your goal. For example, if you want to exercise more, your "why" could be that you want to spend more time playing a bonding sport like soccer with your friends. 

Here's a sample plan that could be helpful when building yours:

• For example, if the resolution is to eat healthier, my plan could look like this: Each meal will contain at least three fruits/vegetables (such as watermelon, strawberries, spinach, or broccoli) and a source of protein (such as chicken, tofu, or eggs). I'll set aside 30 minutes every day to prepare my dinner, and 20 minutes in the morning for breakfast. 
• I'll build my grocery list to contain all the ingredients I need to start eating healthier and work with my specific plan.
• My why could be: I want to eat healthier so that I can be a better athlete and focus better on school.

Overall, following through with your New Years' Resolutions requires passion, time, and effort. The harder it is, the more accomplished you'll feel after completing it! What are some specific ways you can be one step closer to starting the New Year right?

Ayla Patel

January 2024

Teen Board Recipe

Reagan Miller

Co-Event Coordinator

Air Fryer Crunchy Chili-Spiced Chickpeas

Ingredients:

- 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

- 2 tsp. chili powder

- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions:

- Dry chickpeas very well with paper towels

- In a bowl, mix chickpeas, oil, chili powder, and salt

- Transfer chickpeas to the air-fryer basket. Cook at 370° until crispy and golden brown

(which should be around 10 to 14 minutes)

Credit: https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39721126/air-fryer-chickpeas-