The multinational supermarket highlights flavors, products, and ingredients which will stand out in next year’s pantries and fridges.
Well-Being is Served
According to the company, the lines are blurring between the supplement and grocery aisles, a trend which will accelerate in 2021 due to high demand this year for food ingredients believed to combat stress and fatigue, and support the immune system. Food suppliers are already incorporating functional ingredients like vitamin C, mushrooms, and adaptogens to speak to market demand.
Try the Trend: Cleveland Kraut: Roasted Garlic, Gnar Gnar; Beekeeper’s Naturals B. Powered Superfood Honey; Om Mushroom Superfood Mighty Mushroom Broth; Navitas Organics Superfood+ Adaptogen Blend Smoothie Booster; Health-Ade Kombucha PLUS: Belly Reset, Beauty, Energy; fresh exotic citrus fruits like Buddha’s Hand
Boozed-Up Booch
Much like seltzer, Whole Foods expects kombucha to go hard. While kombucha inherently contains trace amounts of alcohol as part of the fermentation process, new products offer kombuchas that pack a bit more of a buzz, with the added attributes of being gluten-free nad containing probiotic cultures.
Try the Trend: Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha: Ginger, Lemon & Hibiscus; Passion Fruit, Hops & Blood Orange; Juneshine Hard Kombucha: Blood Orange Mint, Acai Berry; BOOCHCRAFT Organic Hard Kombucha: Grapefruit Hibiscus; Kombrewcha Hard Kombucha: Ginger Lemon; Wild Tonic Hard Kombucha: Blueberry Basil, Mango Ginger; Jiant Hard Kombucha: The Original, Hicamaya; hard kombucha on tap at Whole Foods Market taprooms
The Mighty Chickpea
Chickpea is taking on many shapes and forms. No longer confined to hummus and falafel, or even the young chickpea pasta. Much like cauliflower, the plant-based source of fiber and protein is becoming an all-encompassing, versatile ingredient in products like chickpea tofu, flour, and even cereal.
Try the Trend: Biena Vegan Ranch Chickpea Puffs; Peppi’s Greek Gourmet GreekFreez frozen dessert made with chickpea aquafaba: Orange Chocolate, Mint Chocolate Chip; Chikfu Chickpea Tofu; Three Wishes Cereal made with chickpeas (coming 2021): Cinnamon, Honey; Siete Family Foods Chickpea Flour Tortillas; Banza Pizza made with chickpeas: Margherita, Roasted Veggie
Fruit and Veggie Jerky
The vegan jerky segment is ushering in a wide range of produce types, with product launches including mushroom and jackfruit being served jerky-style. This preparation allows fruits and vegetables to remain shelf-stable, and the produce is dried at peak freshness to preserve nutrients and flavor, with added seasonings such as chili, salt, ginger, and cacao. “This year, we were able to pinpoint the fruit and veggie jerky trend based on the interesting products like mushroom, banana, and pineapple jerkies our foragers have spotted in the marketplace,” Kelly Landrieu, global coordinator for local brands, said.
Try the Trend: Snack Jack Jackfruit Jerky: Cracked Pepper, Sweet Chili; Pan’s Zesty Thai Mushroom Jerky; Solely Organic Fruit Jerky: Mango with Chili & Salt, Pineapple with Chili & Salt, Mango with Drizzled Cacao; Wild Joy Banana Jerky: Original, Chipotle Lime, Ginger Teriyaki; Fat Top Farm Spicy Mushroom Jerky (coming late 2020)
Epic Breakfast Every Day
More people than ever before are incorporating a hearty breakfast into their routines during the week, driven by work-from-home. 2021 is expected to be a good year for innovative breakfast products, as more people eat pancakes on weekdays, and try out innovative egg products and vegan egg analogues.
Try the Trend: 365 by Whole Foods Market Atlantic Salmon (coming 2021): Hot Smoked, Cold Smoked; Just Egg Folded plant-based “eggs”; Whole Foods Market Dutch-Style Pancake Bites; Meatless Farm: Meat Free Sausage Patties, Meat Free Breakfast Sausages; 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix; Whole Foods Market Uncured Ham & Gruyère Cheese Egg Bites; Birch Benders Pancake Keto Cups: Chocolate Chip, Classic Maple; Breakfast Pizza – found at Whole Foods Market’s pizza venues in select regions
Basics on Fire
Home chefs are looking for hot, new takes on pantry staples, Whole Foods reports. One should expect the basics, like pasta, sauces, and spices, to never be boring again, as new product launches such as hearts of palm pasta, applewood smoked salt, and “meaty” vegan soup hit supermarket shelves.
Try the Trend: Whole Foods Market Applewood Smoked Salt; Spicewalla Chai Masala spice; RightRice Risotto (coming 2021): Basil Pesto, Creamy Cracked Pepper; Acid League Living Vinegar: Meyer Lemon Honey, Strawberry Rose; Whole Foods Market Hearts of Palm Linguine; Otamot Sauce made with organic vegetables: Organic Essential, Spicy Organic; Upton’s Naturals Vegan Soup: Chick Tortilla, Italian Wedding
Coffee Beyond the Mug
The coffee fix can be had in a wide array of new foods and drinks, well beyond the brewed pot of joe, which Whole Foods expects to be a lasting trend-driver. Coffee is available in a wide array of foods and drinks now, including bars, granolas, smoothies, liquor, and yogurt.
Try the Trend: Jameson Cold Brew Irish Whiskey; Marge Granola Georgetown Coffee Nib Muesli (coming 2021); 365 by Whole Foods Market Coffee & Almond Protein Chewy Bites (coming late 2020); EVOLVED Coffee Keto Cups; Nancy’s Oatmilk Non-Dairy Yogurt – Cold Brew Coffee with Vanilla; Blender Bombs Coffee, Almond Butter & Cacao Smoothie Booster
Baby Food, All Grown Up
The ingredients list for baby foods has never been wider or richer. Portable, on-the-go squeeze pouches full of rhubarb, rosemary, purple carrots and omega-3-rich flax seeds are the biggest trend for little eaters this year, Whole Foods said.
Try the Trend: 365 by Whole Foods Market new Organic Baby Food: Pear Strawberry Rhubarb, Apple Pumpkin Blueberry with Ground Chickpeas, Apple Butternut Squash with Ground Oats and Turmeric; Happy Baby Organics (coming 2021): Sweet Potatoes & Olive Oil with Rosemary; Purple Carrots, Cauliflower & Avocado Oil with Oregano; Pumpkin Tree Organic Mango Purée with Oat Fiber & Seeds + a squeeze of Orange; Once Upon a Farm Organic OhMyMega Veggie! with Ginger and Flax Seed
Upcycled Foods
One of the biggest trends in foods has been repurposing neglected or underused parts byproducts of food production, which would ordinarily be composted, into new product formulations, a trend driven by sustainability and food waste reduction. This helps to increase the amount of food which is produced without increasing the energy used to produce, transport, and prepare an ingredient.
Try the Trend: The Ugly Company: 100% Upcycled Kiwis, Apricots and Peaches; Pulp Pantry Pulp Chips (coming 2021): Barbecue, Jalapeño Lime, Salt 'n' Vinegar; Barnana Organic Banana Bites: Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup; Renewal Mill: 1-to-1 Baking Flour made from okara, or upcycled soybean pulp; Spudsy Sweet Potato Puffs snacks: Vegan Buffalo
Oil Change
Olive Oil has competition on the horizon, with a wide range of oils from other sources vying to fulfill the same purpose, but offering a unique flavor and property as an ingredient. Oils from walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds can provide new takes as cooking ingredients or salad dressings, depending on their versatility or flavor fit.
Try the Trend: 365 by Whole Foods Market Expeller Pressed Walnut Oil; International Collection Pumpkin Seed Oil; 88 Acres Seed Dressing, Smoky Chipotle Dressing with Sunflower Seeds; 365 by Whole Foods Market Grain Free Cassava Flour Tortillas made with sunflower seed oil; innovative menu items from Whole Foods Market in-store venues like PLNT Burger’s Crispy Chik N Funguy Sandwich and Next Level Burger’s Tots and Fries, both made with organic sunflower seed oil