Family Meals Friday: Generative AI for Next Gen Consumers

By: Haley Pierce, Manager, FMI Foundation  

Millennial, Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers like me are using AI for meal prep, menu design, and even recipes.

Even older family meals consumers are exploring how AI can create efficiencies in the cooking, baking, and shopping processes, which cause ripple effects in kitchens and grocery stores across the country. A meal plan for a family of three picky eaters who are mostly plant-based with lactose intolerances? No problem. Need a shopping list alongside that, netting out what you already have on hand? Easily achievable with a scan of your fridge and pantry and few simple prompts and clicks.

In fact, these use cases aren’t the only way consumers are utilizing AI—some are scanning their refrigerators and pantries for what could be: catalyzing meal inspiration, creating combinations and dishes that are unique and creative. These refrigerator scanning AI tools also have direct implications on food waste. Scanning what you have on hand and leftovers you can always repurpose or transform reduces food waste and allows you to save money along the way. And according to a November 2023 Gallup and Mitre survey, the average American household could save at least $1,500 per year by eliminating food waste, which is something we can all get behind.

These tools have inspired me, so I have a family meals challenge to take home:

Shake up your typical family meal with international cuisine or a spice you haven’t tried. In fact, Google even has Food Mood, an AI tool that combines two cuisines into one recipe for those discerning family members at your table who want both chicken tenders & mac ‘n cheese AND curry. While I can’t vouch for chicken mac ‘n cheese with a spicy twist, the recipe and cooking preparation instructions look reasonable and the AI generated images look enticing enough to inspire a meal in your near future.

There are so many tools out there it’s hard to narrow down which ones are best to use—do some exploring on your own and be open to the possibilities—in the kitchen and beyond!