Nutrition Trends: Why are Millennials Growing their Food
The history teaches us how every generation makes its own unique impact on the overall society. According to the current situation, the generation that is making its impact on the modern society are the millennials.
The term “millennials” is a new word used to represent adults between ages of 19 and 35, which make up a big part of most Western and wealthy countries. As a result, the essence of doing business has been increasingly changing over the years, as millennials tend to influence the way business is run. It comes as no surprise that majority of company owners are working hard to attract this demographic, bearing in mind the fact that millennials dictate what is popular on the world market.
The follow-up consequence of millennials’ tendencies is the ever-spreading awareness of the importance of having homegrown food. Healthy domestic food is one of the key factors in the millennials’ life perspective, which also means that the food market is also experiencing changes and developments in that area. One of the examples of this fastly-growing lifestyle is the rise of meal preparation companies which provide their customers with nutritious, fresh ingredients that can be easily used for a cooked meal.
The concept of home-grown food used and promoted by the millennials can be explained by several key points:
1. Unique flavor
Commercial farming that most grocery stores and supermarkets rely on is characterized by fruits and vegetables that have a poor flavor for several reasons:
– only plants able to provide more per plant and to be harvested all at once are being grown
– these types of food are intended to have a longer shelf life.
– they are often almost equal in size and shape, while the ripening process is completed during the delivery on trucks.
Even though a certain amount of food in groceries comes from organic farming, the mentioned technique of breeding negatively affects the flavor nevertheless. The millennials often stress out the fact that home-grown food does not have the listed disadvantages.
2. Wide variety of choice
In organic gardening, there are two different ways to grow food. The first option is to purchase quality transplants in a local shop. The process of replanting the transplant in one’s own garden is quite simple. The second option is preferable for most millennials, as it includes growing plants from seed. This option enables the breeder to make a selection of various types of fruit and vegetables. Furthermore, it gives the breeder the opportunity to make his or her own selection of the new seed from the best possible specimen from the garden. In the years to come, the selection will be improved every following year.
3. Chemical-free products
Many countries face the disturbing issue of food being treated with an excessive amount of chemicals, such as aggressive pesticides and insecticides. The benefit of home-grown food is that the owner is enabled to make his/her own decision on if chemicals will be used for treating the plants at all. Instead of resorting to unhealthy fertilizers, one can opt for an organic solution. In case of a plant that is irreversibly sick, there is always a possibility to remove it and plant something else. By using this method, other plants will be protected, and the overall growth process will not be disturbed.
4. Physical activity
The public is frequently warned by doctors of the dangers of the lack of physical activity on daily basis. The growing number of patients suffering from diabetes, heart problems, and high cholesterol sends a clear signal that every person should participate in a physical activity at least twice a week. Supporters of domestic food production accent the health benefits this type of production provides. Growing one’s own food implies a period during the day when the garden will need to be attended. Physical activities that are included are watering the garden, handling a retractable hose, weeding and much more. These types of activities are not reserved for fit people only, meaning that a broad spectrum of people can engage them.
5. Economizing
Most households are being forced to economize during periods of economic crises. Organic gardens help people to save money that is normally spent in supermarkets. There would not be the need to spend gas for reaching a supermarket. Another benefit is that a breeder of domestic food will be able to sell his/her own products in a matter of several years.
The millennials have been making a strong impact on the way people grow food today. Their efforts are certainly making a difference in the world food market and in people’s homes. How far will that influence go – remains to be seen.