The New and Future Consumer

Simpler ingredients, transparency, convenience, and balanced choices are all on consumers’ wish lists. As consumers’ eating habits continue to evolve, it’s critical the agri-food sector innovates to meet their present and future needs. Tactics include menus with multiple portion sizes and personalized dining options, alternative proteins and novel ingredients, nutritional information and locally sourced products, at-home meal kits and grab-and-go convenience, and more.

The time is now. The agri-food system can’t wait for the future to happen to us, but rather needs to thoughtfully consider what it should be, and how we will work across sector and geographic divisions to collaboratively achieve it. HORIZON21c has been carefully designed to explore the future of food and agriculture and maximize participant interactions that will foster beneficial connections and dynamic and meaningful conversations.

The summit’s 2018 theme, The New and Future Consumer, acknowledges the profound impact of changing consumer demands and behaviors and provides a catalyst for delving into the many associated topics. These include supply-chain transparency, data and technology, food safety, novel food products and ingredients, digestive health and nutrition, and more. HORIZON21c will focus on the opportunities these developments present for the large and diverse agri-food sector throughout the state, and how Illinois’ varied private and public sector entities can leverage their collective resources.