What Gen Z Food Preferences Teach Us About Canadian Agriculture

Why This Matters for the Classroom

Gen Z students are shaping the future of food in Canada. Their choices—guided by sustainability, global flavours, and curiosity—are influencing what Canadian farmers grow, how food is produced, and even how it reaches our plates. Exploring these food preferences is a powerful way to connect students to Canadian agriculture and help them see their role in our food system.

1. Sustainability and Canadian Farming

Gen Z places sustainability at the top of their food values. Over 70% of Gen Z consumers say environmental impact influences their choices【1】.

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Many farmers are adopting regenerative practices such as cover cropping, rotational grazing, and reduced tillage.

• Canada has strong animal welfare standards in place with continued monitoring to ensure standards are met.

• Programs like Verified Beef Production Plus highlight traceability and sustainable practices across Canadian cattle farms【2】.

2. Health, Nutrition, and “Superfoods”

Taste, price, and health are top priorities for Gen Z【3】. In Canada, this translates into increased demand for crops like lentils, chickpeas, flax, and blueberries—foods often marketed as “superfoods.”

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Canada is the world’s largest exporter of lentils, much of it grown in Saskatchewan【4】.

• Blueberries are one of Canada’s top fruit crops, especially in British Columbia, Quebec, and the Maritimes【5】.

• Prairie farmers are leading in plant-protein innovation, supplying ingredients for meat alternatives and high-protein snacks.

3. Convenience, Delivery, and Local Food

Gen Z spends more on food delivery than any other generation, averaging $36 per order【6】. At the same time, they’re interested in local food systems.

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and local farmers’ markets are growing in popularity, offering Gen Z access to fresh, local food.

• Greenhouse production in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia provides year-round tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers to meet demand for fresh convenience【7】.

• Farm-to-school programs connect Canadian producers directly with cafeterias and classrooms.

4. Global Flavours, Canadian Fields

Gen Z embraces international cuisines and bold flavours like sweet-spicy (“swicy”) and sweet-salty (“swalty”) combos【8】.

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Alberta and Ontario chilli pepper growers are tapping into rising demand for spicy flavours.

• Honey, maple syrup, and sea salt from Canadian producers bring local twists to global food trends【9】.

• Immigrant farmers across Canada are diversifying production by growing culturally significant crops such as bitter melon, okra, and bok choy【10】.

5. Comfort Foods with a Canadian Twist

Even adventurous Gen Z eaters return to comfort foods. Eggs, beef stews, and casseroles remain popular, alongside nostalgic “retro” foods.

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Beef, dairy, and grain producers supply the backbone of Canadian comfort meals.

• Canadian staples like poutine, bannock, and butter tarts tie directly to local ingredients and heritage【11】.

• Farmers are finding ways to reinvent classics—such as oat milk, plant-based poutines, or heritage grain breads—to meet Gen Z’s evolving tastes.

6. Restaurants and Supply Chains

Fast-casual chains are adapting to Gen Z with bigger protein portions【12】, while McDonald’s is experimenting with spicy breakfast items【13】.

Canadian agriculture connection:

• Canadian beef, chicken, and egg producers play a key role in supplying these restaurants.

• Dairy farmers of Canada support menu innovations like specialty lattes and cheese-focused dishes.

• Canadian grain growers support bakeries, breweries, and restaurants offering Gen Z the artisanal, “local-first” experiences they crave.

Gen Z Classroom Guiding Questions

1. Which Canadian crops or foods do you think best represent Gen Z preferences?

2. How do Canadian farmers balance sustainability with producing enough food to feed people affordably?

3. Many Gen Z students value global flavours. Which Canadian-grown ingredients could be used to create international dishes?

4. How can Canadian agriculture keep up with new trends like plant-based eating or spicy flavours?

Conclusion: From Farm to Fork in Real Life Learning

Gen Z’s food preferences tell a bigger story: every bite is connected back to the farm. Whether it’s a Saskatchewan lentil in a trendy plant-based burger, a Quebec blueberry in a smoothie, or Alberta beef in a classic poutine, Canadian agriculture is woven into the daily food choices of today’s students.

For teachers, this is an opportunity to bridge farm-to-fork education in meaningful ways. Discussing food trends allows students to see how farmers, processors, and retailers are part of one connected system that they themselves influence as consumers. Real-life learning comes alive when students realize that their lunchtime choices are linked to prairie fields, coastal fisheries, and northern greenhouses.

By showing the farm-to-fork journey, educators help students understand that agriculture is not just the past of Canada—it is their future, shaped by their tastes, values, and voices.

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References

1. AskAttest. (2023). Gen Z food trends and sustainability values. Retrieved from askattest.com

2. Canadian Cattle Association. (2024). Verified Beef Production Plus. Retrieved from verifiedbeef.ca

3. MDPI. (2025). Factors influencing food choices among Gen Z adults. Nutrients, 17(3), 591.

4. Government of Canada. (2024). Canada: The world’s largest exporter of lentils. Retrieved from agriculture.canada.ca

5. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. (2023). Canadian blueberry industry profile. Retrieved from agriculture.canada.ca

6. 7shifts. (2024). Gen Z food trends report. Retrieved from 7shifts.com

7. Greenhouse Canada. (2024). Canada’s greenhouse sector snapshot. Retrieved from greenhousecanada.com

8. Plastic Container City. (2024). Food trend forecasts: Swalty and swicy flavors. Retrieved from plasticcontainercity.com

9. Canadian Honey Council. (2024). Honey industry overview. Retrieved from honeycouncil.ca

10. Statistics Canada. (2024). Diversity of Canadian farm operations. Retrieved from statcan.gc.ca

11. Canadian Encyclopedia. (2023). Traditional Canadian foods. Retrieved from thecanadianencyclopedia.ca

12. Axios. (2025). Fast-casual restaurants face slowdown, pivot to value. Retrieved from axios.com

13. MarketWatch. (2025). McDonald’s new spicy McMuffin and Gen Z demand for heat. Retrieved from marketwatch.com