# Emergency Meal Organizations and brands are assisting food banks to meet demand during COVID-19. By [Kalin Ned](https://www.trendhunter.com/knedelch), Research Writer | Published May 21, 2020 | Category: [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/social-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/emergency-meals ## Key Figures - Trend score: 2.8/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Emergency Meal trend? **Emergency Meal:** Many brands and not-for-profit organizations in North America are joining forces to provide food banks with much-needed supplies and workers during COVID-19. These initiatives introduce some security in meeting the demand for meals, which has significantly increased as the pandemic continues. ## The consumer insight behind the Emergency Meal trend The levels of food insecurity in communities has exponentially increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating a demand for more support from the government and brands who are perceived to have the resource capacity to help. While for some consumers, this is a chance to alleviate financial strain from losing their jobs, for others—this becomes an opportunity to help and feel needed during uncertain times. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 30 to May 21, 2020 - Published: May 21, 2020 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Examples of the Emergency Meal trend 5 featured examples from Apr 30 to May 21, 2020. - [Emergency Food Box Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emergency-food-box): Feed Ontario's Program Will Deliver Pre-Packaged Boxes to Food Banks (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for businesses to develop an emergency supply chain management strategy, that ensures essential food service delivery to all communities in times of emergency or disas… - [Emergency Meal Deliveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emergency-meal): McLane Global Launched the Emergency Meals-to-You Program (Category: Marketing) Implication: Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Develop efficient and sustainable systems for sourcing, storing, and delivering emergency food supplies in crisis situations. - [Supermarket Food Surplus Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/publix): Publix to Buy Excess Food From Farmers to Give to Food Banks (Category: Social Good) Implication: Supermarkets can explore new business models that align with social responsibility, such as purchasing surplus foods from farmers and donating them to food banks. - [Nutrition Food-Forward Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/access-to-healthy-foods): Dole Packaged Foods Aims to Provide Access to Healthy Foods (Category: Social Good) Implication: Opportunities for food and beverage companies to participate in healthy food access programs and charitable initiatives. - [Emergency Food Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emergency-food-programs): The SEED Emergency Food Program is Aiming to Provide 50,000 Meals a Week (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive Innovation Opportunity: Create a disruptive food delivery service that caters specifically to emergency and crisis situations, providing quick and efficient distributio… **Workshop question:** How can your brand help in alleviating issues such as food insecurity? ## Themes within the Emergency Meal trend ### Emergency Food Programs Emergency food programs have gained importance during COVID-19 pandemic to alleviate food insecurity on a global scale. ### Nutrition Food-Forward Initiatives Companies like Dole Packaged Food are providing access to healthy food and partnering with other organizations to support seniors and families in underserved areas. ### Emergency Meal Deliveries More companies and organizations are partnering to provide emergency meals to children in need, through the help of public-private partnerships such as the one between McLane Global and USDA. ## What the Emergency Meal trend means for industry ### For Food Distribution Food distributors could leverage technology and partnerships to increase real-time access and delivery of emergency food and supplies in high demand. ### For Logistics and Supply Chain Logistics companies could rethink their supply chains and shipping methods to adapt to the COVID-19 crisis and meet the increased demand for emergency food programs. ### For Health and Wellness As more companies focus on health and wellness, there are opportunities to support and scale initiatives in food companies, encouraging access to more nutritious alternatives. ## Trend signals for Emergency Meal Trend score 2.8 out of 10, from popularity 45%, activity 29%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 45% - Activity: 29% - Freshness: 9% ## Recent trend clusters - [Palette Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/colored-carry-on) (Fashion) - [Pocket Continuity](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/foldable-phone-accessories) (Tech) - [Entry Hooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/asian-skincare-shopping) (Fashion) - [Adaptable Warmth](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/removable-liner-boots) (Fashion) ## Trending in Social Good - [Culturally Grounded Wellness Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/culturally-grounded-wellness-apps) - [Digital Fertility Education Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-fertility-education-platforms) - [Cancer Awareness Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carry-the-fire-road-hockey-net) All articles: [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood)