The Trends Council of Whole Foods Market – a leading US supermarket chain – has unveiled the food trends that it expects to occur during 2025. The council, which consists of more than 50 members - including professional foragers, buyers, and culinary experts – each year develops trend predictions in order to anticipate and respond to consumer preferences.
“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,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer at Whole Foods, in a statement.
The Council’s analysis of current consumer trends places aquatic ingredients, such as farmed seaweeds and duckweed, amongst the most anticipated retail booms for the coming year.
The Whole Foods team have particularly high expectations for the market for sea moss, which has already being enjoying increasing popularity as a wellness ingredient. Other aquatic ingredients expected to increase in popularity in the near future include water lentils, which offer a nutritious, high-protein alternative to leafy greens, and agar-agar – a gelatine-alternative sourced from seaweeds such as Gracilaria.
“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,” commented Cathy Strange, a member of the Whole Foods Trend Council.
