Your Insider Scoop on 2025 Food Trends
This is for my foodie friends and grocery gurus! As we embark on a new year, let's take a moment to savor what's hot (and cool) in the food world. From global flavors to grocery must-haves, 2025 trends are as fresh as a perfectly ripe avocado. Let's dig in!
Trend #1: Around the World in a Bite
Who needs a plane ticket when you can travel the globe through your taste buds? This year, it's all about international flavors taking the spotlight. Expect to see more Asian trends like gochujang, sambal, and yuzu gracing your dinner plates - I know my family loves these trends and the extra spice! And let's not forget fusion snacks combining the best of different cuisines for an irresistible crunch. (Source: AP News)
Trend #2: Wellness on the Menu
As we've seen over the last few years, being health-conscious is here to stay with 2025 raising the bar even more. Think functional beverages packed with hydration and immunity boosters, or snack bars with adaptogens that promise to keep you zen while juggling life's chaos. Oh and mushrooms continue to pop up everywhere, from coffee to pasta. (Source: Whole Foods and NY Times)
Trend #3: Sustainable is the New Delicious
Shoppers are more eco-savvy than ever, and the food industry is taking note. From plant-based proteins to seaweed snacks, sustainability is shaping what lands in our carts. Plus, clean-label products with simple, transparent ingredients are gaining ground as we strive to eat better for our selves and for the planet. (Source: Whole Foods)
Trend #4: Texture Takes Center Stage
Move over, plain and boring. 2025 is serving up a textural adventure! Crunchy, chewy, creamy - you name it. Foods with unique textures are bringing extra excitement to meals. Imagine an elevated dumpling or a sandwich that's as much about the crunch as it's about the flavor. (Source: Real Simple)
Trend #5: Smart Grocery Shopping
Grocers are stepping up their game with enhanced convenience, personalization, and even AI-driven shopping tools to help you find exactly what you need. In addition, even hotels and restaurants are using AI and data analytics to help support a more personalized feel as well. Brands are embracing shopper centric strategies, making it easier than ever to fill your cart with products you'll love. The digital tags will also most like be a bigger surge this year to help support a better shopper experience. (Source: Grocery Dive and NY Times)
In addition to these top trends, consumers are still going to focus on value which private label will put even more pressure to CPG brands this year. From new innovation to new trendy private label brands from retailers will continue to compete with branded brands for consumers' dollars. Let's not forget that more consumers are using GLP-1 for supporting their weight loss goals, which will affect consumers shopping habits. For example, protein intake is very much top of mind for these GLP-1 users.
There are also some top brands to be watching out in 2025 as well. Check out Numerator's "Brands to Watch in 2025."
2025 is shaping up to be a year of bold flavors, healthier choices, and sustainable habits - all with a dash of adventure. Which trend are you excited to try? Let's keep the conversation going. Reply and let me know what's on your radar this year! I'm excited to see how these trends show up at this year's Expo West.
Need help navigating these trends for your brand or business? Let's chat about how I can help you stay ahead of the curve. Schedule a Call! Until next time, happy eating and happy shopping!
