Upcycled food is a prominent 2024 trend, supported by industry recognition, consumer eco-awareness, and endorsements from Whole Foods Market, Mintel, Specialty Food Association, Fresh Thyme Market, Vegconomist, and others. Upcycled food is positioned for substantial growth and aligns with the demand for sustainable, natural nutrition, making it a significant global movement in the new year.

Upcycling is identified as one of the most environmentally preferable pathways in the Wasted Food Scale because it can displace the need for additional food production while keeping food in the human food system, rather than treating it as waste.