Whole Foods Market’s trends council has revealed its top 10 food predictions for 2025 in the retailer’s 10th annual trends predictions report.
Whole Foods Market predictions include mentions of sustainable packaging and plant-based aquatic ingredients among the trends it says are set to influence the food landscape in the coming year, according to a news release.
“Our 10th 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 for Whole Foods Market. “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.”
The No. 6 trend list is called “next-level compostable.” Products that aren’t ditching packaging completely are going the compostable route, the report said, making some or all elements of their packaging compostable.
Some brands, like Compostic, are even entering new territory with home-compostable products, meaning all components can compost in a home bin versus requiring a commercial process, the release said. In the produce world, Rainer Fruit is working on commercially compostable produce stickers.
The report listed the following in Whole Foods Market “Try the Trend” section: Simpli Regenerative Organic Certified Gigante Beans, Whole Foods Market Organic Steeped Coffee Single Serve Compostable Coffee Bags, Alter Eco Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles, Compostic 100% Home Compostable Cling Wrap, Coyotas Organic Cassava Tortillas, PACHA Sourdough Sprouted Buckwheat Bread.
Plant-based aquatic ingredients came in at No. 9 on the list. With the continued popularity of seaweed and the increasing interest in harvesting readily available aquatic plants for more-sustainable sources of protein and nutrients, the report said the tide is turning toward foods made with more sea and freshwater greens.
Sea moss, in particular, has been making a splash as a buzzy wellness ingredient — especially touted for its iron, magnesium and iodine content — in formats such as beverages and gummies, the release said. Duckweed, or water lentils, is in the early stages of emerging on the scene and boasts a higher protein content than other leafy greens and agar-agar (a plant-based gelatin alternative that comes from red algae) is primarily fiber-based and promoted for digestive support, the company said.
Items listed for “Try the Trend” are: Atlantic Sea Farms Sea-Chi and Seaweed Salad, Copina Co. Passionfruit Sea Moss Refresher, Barnacle Foods Alaskan Sea Verde Kelp Salsa (available in select stores), MaryRuth’s Sea Moss Gummies, Simply Organic Sea Lettuce Finishing Salt, Umaro Applewood Smoke Sea Moss Bacon (available in select stores), Homiah Sambal Chili Crunch, Kamuni Creek Mango Seamoss (available in select stores).
The Whole Foods Market Trends Council — a collective of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts — develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands, the release said.
“Whole Foods Market has been keeping an eye on trends and spotlighting innovation in food and beverage from the beginning,” said Cathy Strange, ambassador of food culture for Whole Foods Market and member of the trends council. “From important food movements around animal welfare, climate and transparency, to the evolving tastes and preferences of consumers, trends in food end up driving our dinner table conversations for years to come and help spark some of the best ideas and solutions for the future.”
Whole Foods Market’s top 10 food trend predictions for 2025 include:
1) International snacking
2) Ever-adaptable dumpling
3) Crunch: texture of the moment
4) Hydration hype
5) Tea’s time
6) Next-level compostable
7) More sustainable sips
8) Sourdough stepped up
9) Plant-based aquatic ingredients
10) Protein power-up
