Whole Foods Market's 2025 food trend predictions spotlight a rise in international snacking, featuring treats like chamoy candy, mango sticky rice chips, and a chili crunch oil-infused edamame and nut mix. These trends reflect the increasing consumer interest in diverse flavors and global culinary experiences, indicating a shift towards more adventurous snacking options that cater to a broader palate. This trend towards international snacks not only highlights the global interconnectedness of culinary cultures but also opens up new opportunities for retailers and manufacturers to innovate and expand their product offerings.
The focus on hydration will remain strong in 2025, as consumers increasingly desire drinks infused with electrolytes, antioxidants, and protein. Tea is anticipated to play a larger role, both as a flavor enhancer and in innovative preparation methods. Each year, the Whole Foods trends council, which includes over 50 professionals from buying, culinary, and other departments, forecasts these trends. They base their predictions on extensive expertise, observations of consumer preferences, and insights from interactions with both established and up-and-coming brands.
Cathy Strange, Whole Foods' ambassador of food culture, emphasizes the company's commitment to monitoring food and beverage innovations. She highlights the importance of food movements related to animal welfare, climate, and transparency, noting how consumer tastes shape long-term dining conversations and inspire innovative ideas.
Sustainable packaging is also on the rise, with some companies offering home-compostable products and others developing commercially compostable produce stickers. In efforts to reduce environmental impact, certain wine producers aim to decrease bottle weights by 25% by 2026.
Whole Foods predicts that sourdough, known for its benefits and flavor, will transition from home kitchens to retail shelves in products like bread, spaghetti, and crackers. Ocean ingredients, such as sea moss, duckweed, and agar-agar, are anticipated to become more common, adding protein and nutrients to foods like salsa, gummies, and even bacon.
Protein continues to be a focal point, with animal-based proteins remaining a priority. Whole Foods expects organ meats, blended with traditional proteins like ground beef, to offer more convenient meal options. Additionally, protein-rich foods such as cottage cheese, yogurt, bone broth, salmon, ground turkey, and oats are predicted to maintain their popularity.
Reflecting on Whole Foods' past predictions for 2024, the emphasis was on shorter ingredient lists, expanded cacao products, buckwheat, plant-based seafood, spicy peppers, premium noodles, and enhanced coffee and energy drinks.
Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, the Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Whole Foods, marks a milestone as the company celebrates a decade of trend forecasting. Over the past ten years, Whole Foods has become synonymous with innovation and culinary exploration across diverse product categories. This year's forecast not only captures the pulse of consumer preferences but also stretches the limits of culinary creativity. Whole Foods is excited to observe how these trends will inspire and transform customers' culinary experiences in the year ahead.