Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I think I would love a ramen bar! A food trend I would like to see, but don't think will happen, is the re-emergence of local butcher shops. There's a rumor that one is opening in my little college town. I'll believe it when I see it and am keeping my fingers crossed!

I agree with Library Lady in that I also would like to see more local butcher shops. Outside of NYC, at least, I think they are a dying breed. And, I really hate buying meat at a supermarket.

Just recently, one of our leading supermarkets (Giant Foods) in the Maryland area, announced that they are treating their red meats with carbon monoxide so that it will retain its "red" color. I am boycotting their meat counter altogether.

A few weeks ago, my wife purchased Snow Crab clusters from a Columbia, MD., Safeway store. The crab was thawed and on display in their regular display counter.

When she got them home and opened the package (shrink wrapped in a plastic tray) . . . they smelled strongly of ammonia, and I mean strongly!

Of course, we didn't eat the crab legs. Then when I complained to the store manager, he shrugged it off and acted like I was "bothering" him.

On top of all this, I will not knowingly eat imported meat of any kind.

So, I suspect that the next food trend will be a public clamor for safer, fresher, and un-tainted meat, seafood, and produce. At least I certainly hope that consumers can make these people clean up their act (and their products!)