Whole Foods Market Releases Top Food and Beverage Trends for 2025: Essential Takeaways for Refreshment Operators

October 17, 2024

Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council released their much-anticipated top food and beverage trends for 2025, marking the 10th annual year of trend predictions. While there’s plenty to digest, Whole Foods anticipates growth in categories like hydrating ready-to-drink beverages, aquatic ingredients, crunchy snacks, and globally inspired fusion foods.

“Our tenth anniversary of trend forecasting marks an important milestone for us, reflecting a decade of sharing innovation and culinary exploration that crosses every aisle,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market in the recently released press release. “This year, we’re especially excited to celebrate how far we’ve come by spotlighting trends for 2025 that not only reflect growing consumer preferences but also push the boundaries of what’s possible for the world of food. We’re eager to see these trends take shape and inspire our customers in the year ahead.”

Here are the top food and beverage trends for 2025, according to Whole Foods Market:

International Snacking

Traditional snacks are being disrupted by adding global flavors. This works because it has mass appeal, but still encourages people to try something new. Brands like Daily Crunch and Fly by Jing Sweet Sichuan Sprouted Cashews are leading the way. Even packaging will tap into nostalgic, culturally rooted childhood memories, creating a meaningful connection with consumers.

Dumplings

These pocket foods are showing up in multiple aisles, including frozen and shelf-stable single-serve packaging. Many products are authentic to the founder’s cultural roots, but leaves room for new and unexpected combinations. For example, Laoban Mala Beef Dumplings and Chinese Style BBQ Pork Bao Buns. These savory filled dough pockets are gaining traction, fueled further by TikTok trends.

Anything Crunchy

Consumers are increasingly reaching for crunchy items to add texture and flair to all meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For instance, Popadelics Crunchy Mushroom Chips Trippin’ Truffle Parm. More specifically, consumers are seeking a light, airy crunch, as evidenced by dehydrated fruits and candy taking over social media. Whether it’s granola, roasted chickpeas, or pistachio-topped pastries, crunch is a growing trend that’s here to stay.

Hydration with a Boost

Consumers want more from their water. Water with electrolytes, sparkling coconut water, chlorophyll water, and even protein water. Unexpected newcomers are entering too, such as Pricklee Cactus Water (a cactus water with antioxidants and electrolytes). These hydrating choices are coming in fun food formats too, such as pouches.

Teas Beyond Traditional Form

Like hydration, consumers are looking to consume tea in new ways. Chai, Earl Grey, etc. is here to stay in its traditional, steeped form — but expanding as a category. For instance, Remedy Organics Super Chai Fuel is tea-flavored, but it’s essentially a wellness shake. Steeping formats are expanding into new formats, including tea strips, cold-brew bags, and powders. Plant-based milk teas, sparkling teas, and tea-flavored desserts are also gaining traction.

Composting is Increasing

Brands are leaning toward compostable packaging as part of a sustainable push, even if not all components are compostable. Some brands, such as Compostic, is trying to encourage home-compostable products. Another example of this trend can be seen with Alter Eco Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles, which is wrapped in plant-based, non GMO, compostable wrappers.

Ingredients from the Sea

Plant-based aquatic ingredients like seaweed are trending. In fact, fermented seaweed salad in a jar — Atlantic Sea Farms Sea-Chi and Seaweed Salad — is a great example. Freshwater greens like sea moss are becoming popular in beverages and wellness products due to their high nutrient content as well.

Protein Power-Up

Protein has been a standard in powders and bars. Now, consumers are looking to increase protein intake with “whole food” snacking, with a growing preference for animal proteins. An example of this can be seen with ground beef that includes organ meats like kidneys. Traditional protein-rich foods like cottage cheese and oats (like Bob’s Red Mill Organic Protein Oats) remain strong.

How the Trends are Discovered

The Whole Foods Market Trends Council consists of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts. Together, they develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, observation of consumer preferences, and collaborative sessions with new and established brands.

About Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market, founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, is the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. As a leader in natural and organic foods, they operate over 530 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Whole Foods Market is also part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores. For more information, visit media.wholefoodsmarket.com.