Ep. 221: Consumers embrace meat again — but don’t fall too much in love

Good old-fashioned meat from livestock is enjoying renewed popularity, a shift in the zeitgeist fueled by consumers’ demand for simpler, more natural, and less- or unprocessed food products. Add to that a social backlash against plant-based meat substitutes, and a renewed connection in people’s minds between meat and masculinity. Meat advocates and companies no doubt are enjoying the break from years of unrelenting criticism.

But don’t get too comfortable. According to MeatingPod guest Kevin Ryan, owner of Malachite Strategy and Research, meat companies are looking at a lot of upside in the market right now, but risk overplaying their hand if they lean too heavily on the trend. As an anthropologist and food scientist, Kevin takes the long view on how social changes affect how we eat. There are plenty of lessons for meat processors in what he has to say.