Ocala can get excited about what is on the horizon with the national food scene for 2016, as its restaurants will likely follow suit.
The National Restaurant Association (NRA), in predicting its food/restaurant/consumer trends for the coming year, has forecasted yet again a focus on locally sourced meat and seafood, as well as sustainability. These issues have topped the list for almost the last ten years and don't seem to be going anywhere, making it more of a movement and less of a trend, and clearly a direction the industry as a whole is embracing. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of and interested in where their food comes from and what’s in it.
Locally sourced produce also tops the list of the NRA’s Top 10 for 2016, as well as chef-driven fast-casual concepts, natural ingredients and minimally processed food, healthy kids options, and more.
Furthermore, the Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) predicts even more growth in the craft beer and microbrew industry, as well as a big push to really embrace vegetables on the menu. Also on the rise is “stuffed dough,” including empanadas, dumplings and more. However, pasta is declining in popularity, as more Americans are going gluten-free and cutting carbs.
Fore more info on the food trends predicted for 2016 and what locals can expect in Ocala, check out the article at ocala.com.
