# Not-So-Tricky Picky Customers have more niche products to choose from than ever. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Oct 5, 2009, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/not-so-tricky-picky ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 11 ## What is the Not-So-Tricky Picky trend? **Not-So-Tricky Picky:** More food allergies, intolerances, discerning tastes, and dietary preferences have actually made it less difficult to find niche dietary foods. Just as tofu went from being an exotic export to a mainstream commodity, products catering to gluten-free and vegan diets are becoming more readily available. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 11 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 11 to Oct 5, 2009 - Published: Oct 5, 2009 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Not-So-Tricky Picky trend ### Niche Dietary Foods Increasing demand for niche dietary foods caters to food allergies, intolerances and personalized dietary preferences. ### Locavore Dining The focus on locally-sourced ingredients in the fast food industry offers an opportunity for companies to create environmentally sustainable and seasonally-driven menus. ### Specialized Social Networking Social networking and dating apps focused on niche lifestyle choices, such as gluten-free or vegan, create communities of like-minded individuals and offer potential for market growth. ## What the Not-So-Tricky Picky trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Innovations in dietary foods and locavore dining are disrupting traditional ideas of food consumption and have huge potential to change consumer habits in the food industry. ### For Social Networking/Dating Niche social networking and dating apps have the potential to revolutionize the way people connect and interact online, catering to specific lifestyles and personal preferences. ### For Packaging and Design Innovative packaging design for food products caters to increasingly health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers, creating new opportunities for design agencies and packaging manufacturers. ## Trend signals for Not-So-Tricky Picky Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 42%, activity 39%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 42% - Activity: 39% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Not-So-Tricky Picky trend 11 featured examples from Feb 11 to Oct 5, 2009. - [Frugal Vegan Photoblogs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photoblogging-frugal-vegan-recipes-melody-polakow): Melody Polakow Shares How to Make Healthy Meals for $3.33/Day (Category: Eco) Implication: Food bloggers can explore using frugal veganism as a unique perspective to connect with readers looking for healthy and affordable meal ideas. - [Meat-Free Fast Food Chains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegetarian-fast-food-zenburger): ZenBurger Lets Vegetarians Eat on the Run Too (Category: Eco) Implication: The increase in popularity of vegetarian fast-food chains like ZenBurger presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the fast-food industry to adapt and cater to changing con… - [Wheat-Free Dating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-networking-for-single-celiacs-glutenfreedate.com): Social Networking for Single Celiacs on GlutenFreeDate.com (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Online dating could expand its offerings and market share by developing niche platforms for people of different food preferences and restricted diets. - [Celebrity Vegan Cafes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heather-mills-vegan-cafe): Heather Mills to Open Animal Free Bistro (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunities for companies to market vegan meat alternatives and organic alcohol products. - [Modern Eco Diets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raw-food): The Raw Food Diet Makes a Comeback For Healthier, Greener Lifestyles (Category: Eco) Implication: The trend towards raw foodism and sustainable, eco diets present an opportunity for the food industry to innovate and adapt their menus and production methods. - [Locavore Fast Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/locavore-fast-food-pacific-northwest-burgerville-restaurant-sustainable): Pacific Northwest's Burgerville Restaurants Use Local Ingredients (Category: Eco) Implication: Fast food chains can adopt a locavore philosophy and invest in environmentally-friendly practices to differentiate themselves and appeal to consumers who value sustainable, locall… - [Vegan Caviar](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delicious-gourmet-accepted-into-the-vegan-diet-vegan-caviar): A Gourmet, Fish Roe-Free Alternative for Discerning Herbivores (Category: Luxury) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for food and catering companies to cater to the growing demand for unique, affordable, and vegan food options. - [Websites for Picky Eaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-food-reviews): 'Gluten Free Food Reviews' Tests the Bad So You Don't Have To (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry can capitalize on trends like the gluten-free craze by creating new and innovative products that cater to this market. - [Noodles for Non-Wheateaters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kanpyo-udon): Award-winning Kampyo Udon is Cute and Tummy Conscious (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Innovations in using alternative ingredients for mainstream food products - [Celiac Social Networking](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gluten-free-social-networking-glutenfreefaces): GlutenFreeFaces.com Exists for Wheat-Free People (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Exploring niche social media businesses catering to specific dietary restrictions. - [Weekly Vegetarianism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meat-free-monday): Meat-Free-Monday Campaign Launches With Celeb Support (Category: Eco) Implication: The rise of meat-free Mondays can lead to increased demand for plant-based proteins and alternative meats. ## Recent trend clusters - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Calm Monitoring](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/calm-monitoring) (Lifestyle) - [Performance Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/performance-powders) (Lifestyle) - [Task Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/task-beverages) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Rapid Concussion Screening Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/infrared-eye-tracking) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)