The U.S., to no one’s surprise, undoubtedly has a thriving food culture, thanks to the hundreds of different cultures residing within the nation. That said, despite the prevalent enjoyment of food here, why aren’t there more food festivals?
According to CW33, a PennStakes.com study revealed that Google searches for food festivals had risen by 156%, with New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware being the top three states searching for more food festivals.
However, this trend isn’t limited to the United States. Globally, festivals in general are seeing a rise in interest. According to a June 2023 YouGov poll, two out of five global consumers would attend a food festival in person in the next 12 months.
The poll also revealed that food festivals continue to be the most in-demand festivals worldwide, with countries like India, the UAE, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Mexico being the most inclined to attend.
Interestingly, interest in food festivals was considerably lower in North American and European countries like the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and France.
While state fairs are the usual suspects that many Americans flock to in the summer, more and more people are looking toward other events closer to home and with less sensationalism. Food festivals are a great way to gather people together in a local community.
Not only are they excellent for celebrating and promoting local businesses, but they also provide opportunities to experience foods from cultures people may not have easy access to. These festivals can also serve as an easy way for schools and universities to introduce the next generation to different cultures and for medical institutions to spread awareness about health disorders.
Additionally, the increasing presence of social isolation among young people due to the pandemic makes events like food festivals a great way for people to form new relationships.
Despite our differences, breaking bread has been proven throughout history as a great way to bring people together. In a time when the country is increasingly divided, this might be the perfect way to begin bridging those gnarly gaps.
