A new report released by Chicago-based research firm Culinary Visions indicates that consumers want to eat “smaller,” as in locally grown food inspired by street vendors and food loaded with fresh veggies. The 2013 food trends report cites street markets as a key player in consumer preferences. Gone is the notion that fine-dining trends will eventually trickle down to the rest of us. In 2013, it will increasingly be trickle-up.
"All of the inspiration will come from street markets," says Sharon Olson, executive director of the Culinary Visions panel, which surveyed more than 3,000 consumers nationally and interviewed dozens of food experts. "This will challenge big food sellers and manufacturers. It's not a simple switch."