The Who, What, and Why of Future 50 Foods

The Future 50 Foods is not your average list of “superfoods.” This is a diverse collection of foods from across the globe that were carefully chosen with an important goal - healthier people and a healthier planet.

Who are the 50 Future Foods for? They are for you, and they are for everyone. They are for your community, and for our planet. Many of the Future 50 are reminiscent of ancient foods, and all of them have something to offer future generations.

Who Chose The Future 50 Foods?

The Future 50 Foods was researched and written with collaborative input from many experts in food sustainability, agriculture and nutrition. The report is presented by Knorr, WWF, and Dr. Adam Drewnowski.

• Knorr has been a purveyor of innovative foods for over 175 years, and is actively working with farmers, suppliers, and chefs to fulfill their commitment to source all vegetables, herbs, and cereals sustainably by 2020.

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is the world’s leading conservation organization, with a science based approach, a global reach, and more than 5 million members.

• Adam Drewnowski is the Director of the Center for Public Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health at  and he is a prominent authority in the study of obesity and social disparities in diets and health.

What are The Future 50 Foods?

The Future 50 Foods includes 18 vegetables, such as white icicle radish, a faster-growing and more mildly peppery tasting cousin of the common red radish. There are also 13 cereals, grains or tubers, like teff, a versatile and hardy Ethiopian staple grain that is rich in iron. Beans, legumes, and sprouts are key players too, including marama beans which are a plant-based source of essential fatty acids with a flavour profile similar to cashews.

Rounding out the list are 4 different nuts and seeds, all great for nutritious snacking, and 3 mushroom varieties, which can each be added to an array of entrees for a boost of beneficial nutrients and a rich umami flavour.

Why Were The Future 50 Foods Chosen?

The Future 50 Foods aim to empower people toward positive change. The focus is plant-based because animal-based foods have a more significant effect on the environment. Taking steps to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet can have favorable outcome for you and the planet.

The Future 50 Foods are as diverse in taste as they are in appearance, spanning the rainbow and offering flavours and textures to suit a range of palates. What they all have in common is high nutritional value and lower environmental impact. These leafy greens, beans, root vegetables, sprouts, algae, and grains are nutrient dense and naturally delicious.

Discover Future 50 Foods Recipes

Focus on all the exciting flavours you can add with plant-based foods. Try new recipes to help introduce different foods, such as umami-rich enoki mushrooms, or rethink the way you see familiar foods, perhaps by utilizing lusciously roasted walnuts in a savoury dish.