Each year, Whole Foods shares its top food trend predictions for the upcoming new year. If you know FRESH, it will not be surprising to you that we anxiously wait and monitor for this announcement every time Q4 rolls around! Well, the moment has come, and we’re offering up our take on the trends – what we’re excited to see, what we think is here to stay, and our favorites in each category. So, without further ado, here is a FRESH look at some 2023 food & beverage trend predictions!
Sustainability & Upcycling
Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of present society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The food industry is responding to consumer demand for more sustainable options in several ways: compostable packaging, upcycled ingredients, vertical farming (to name a few).
Our favorites:
- Oat Milk Flour, using oats used to make Oat Milk
- Atlantic Sea Farms Kelp
- Ocean’s Halo Seaweed with no plastic trays
- Untill vertically grown greens
Low to No Sugar Options
Consumers continue to make a conscious effort to avoid sugar. Consequently, we continue to see items made with no-added-sugar or sugar alternatives such as stevia, monk fruit, and erythritol.
Our Favorites:
- Sweet Nothings no sugar added smoothies
- Bhu Foods keto cookie dough & more
- Kevin’s Natural Foods Korean BBQ Sauce
- Tru Made Foods ketchup and other condiments
- Behave gummies
- Lemon Perfect lemon drinks
Functional Mushrooms
Several types of functional mushrooms can help support wellness in a variety of ways, from reducing stress to boosting energy. These fascinating plants can be found in protein powders, energy bars, coffee and chocolate beverages, broths, and more.
Our favorites:
- Om Mushrooms Protein Blend
- REDD Energy Bars
- Rebbl Reishi Chocolate Immunity Elixir
- FOND Youth Tonic Chicken Bone Broth
Snackable Veggies
It’s no secret that veggies are key to a healthy lifestyle since they are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. But they aren’t always easily accessible or simple to prepare. Some innovative brands are making veggies more convenient than ever with special packaging and/or processing techniques such as pouches, fermentation, and drying.
Our Favorites:
- POSHI vegetable pouches
- Eat the Change Mushroom Jerky and Carrot Chews
- Rick’s Picks phat beets and smokra
- Cleveland Kitchen pickles
Alternative Dairy & Meat Products
The food science behind meat and dairy alternatives continues to advance and evolve, making these options closer in both taste and nutrition to their traditional counterparts.
Our Favorites:
- Wicked Foods Birthday Cake Ice Cream
- Tattooed Chef vegan meals
- Jack and Annie’s
- Culina coconut yogurt
- Esti plant-based Mediterranean food products
Functional Beverages
Consumers are looking beyond hydration when it comes to their beverages. Functional drinks can support various health goals including gut health, energy, mood, endurance, and overall wellness.
Our favorites:
- Big Easy Bucha kombucha and shots
- Odyssey Elixir
- Happy Being
- Maple Water
- Ultima electrolyte packets + collagen
Zero Proof Spirits and Elixirs
Sober curious? Good news – so are lots of other people. As such, zero-proof cocktails are becoming more and more accessible. Today there are options for perhaps every type of alcoholic drink, including wine, beer, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails. Some zero-proof elixirs use adaptogens and other functional plant ingredients for an added boost of wellness.
Our favorites:
- Ritual Zero Proof Spirits
- Seedlip Non-alcoholic spirits
- Three Spirits Elixirs
- De Soi apertifs with adaptogens
Nostalgic Flavors
We all have our comfort foods from childhood, and you’ll notice some nostalgic flavors going mainstream in contemporary ways. Retro flavors like orange soda, root beer, birthday cake, mac n cheese, cold cereal, and more are coming back around with nutritional upgrades that meet consumers’ expectations for healthier options.
Our Favorites:
- Poppi Orange Soda
- Scott’s Protein Balls, Confetti
- Goodles mac & cheese
- Three Wishes Cereal, Cocoa
For more updates on the latest food and nutrition trends, follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram. We’d love to hear from you – which of these 2023 food trend predictions are your favorite? Are there any that you wish would go away? Reach out and tell us your opinion!
