Fresh Thyme Market shares 10 top food trends for 2025

Fresh Thyme Market says its 2025 Trends Report highlights up-and-coming products Midwest shoppers can expect to see in the store, including an array of fresh produce options.

The report, done in collaboration with retail data and intelligence provider SPINS, is the only one of its kind in the region and leverages shopping behaviors to spotlight the top 10 food trends that will shape the way Midwesterners will shop and eat in the coming year, according to a news release.

From the rise of adaptogen mushrooms in pantry staples to the growing popularity of sweet, vitamin-packed mangoes, the trends highlight the power of fresh, functional ingredients, Fresh Thyme Market said. Shoppers will also see an expanded selection of spicy peppers, ideal for adding heat and complexity to everyday meals, while dates and other natural sweeteners continue to trend as healthier alternatives to refined sugars, the release said. Also topping the list are sustainability efforts like controlled environment agriculture, the report said.

"At Fresh Thyme Market, we believe creating a phenomenal experience for our shoppers and team members begins long before they walk through our doors," said Fresh Thyme Market President Liz Zolcak. "Our annual trends report helps us not only understand the needs of our shoppers but ensures we're exciting them by curating our shelves with the most fresh, innovative and local products. Our shoppers are savvy, so it's important they know innovation is at our core and we can help them discover new products — often before they're available anywhere else in the Midwest."

Fresh Thyme Market's Midwest grocery trend predictions for 2025 include, according to the report:

• Evolution of the mushroom — Adaptogenic mushrooms, which may help the body manage stress, anxiety and fatigue include varieties like chaga, lion's mane and turkey tail, will start to gain momentum. Expect to see more mushroom-based products in everyday pantry staples like pasta, broth and coffee, allowing consumers to effortlessly add its anti-inflammatory and sleep aid properties to their diets.

• Mango-everything (and everywhere) — Mangoes are finally getting their time in the spotlight with mango-flavored products showing up in everything from drinks to snacks, and for good reason. According to Meghan Sedivy, registered dietitian for Fresh Thyme Market, mangoes are a "nutritional powerhouse" packed with vitamin C to help support the immune system and are great for adding sweetness and a creamy texture to foods.

• Spicy foods takeover — Consumers are demanding more complex flavor profiles and will be bringing on the heat through expanded use of more fresh and dried chilies like ghost chilies, chilies de arbol and jalapenos.

• Next-gen sustainability — Grains and produce grown using controlled environment agriculture, like greenhouse farming and other next-gen practices, that have significantly less impact on the environment will have shoppers buzzing. These items will see explosive growth in the new year not only because they're just as delicious as conventionally produced items, but they're more sustainable too.

• Functional ingredients — Consumers want more than just basic nutrition from their diets and will be seeking out products that incorporate functional ingredients — ingredients that provide more targeted and specific health benefits — like colostrum for its immune-boosting properties or probiotic cultures for better gut health.

• Rise of non-alcoholic, mood-enhancing beverages — Non-alcoholic beverages will become even more sophisticated as a way to cater to an array of holistic needs. For example, the company expects to see a spike in drinks made with plant-based and mineral ingredients like kava and magnesium because of their mood-enhancing benefits. Beverages that contain multiple cannabinoids like CBD will also be trending thanks to their popularity in social settings.

• Nature's natural sweeteners — Natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and dates will become more prevalent in 2025 as consumers continue to look for ways to limit their refined and processed sugar intake.

• Boosting brain power — Improved cognitive function will be on everyone's minds with supplements like ginkgo biloba, magnesium and GABA on the rise. These ingredients are known to enhance mental clarity and focus.

• We're heading to Seoul — The rising popularity of Korean BBQ in recent years will pave the way for other Korean ingredients like gochujang and kimchi popping up in even more kitchens. This growing trend reflects consumers' desires to incorporate more bold, global flavors into their everyday cooking.

• Prioritizing protein — Protein will be breaking out into new categories in 2025. Shoppers will be flocking to more protein-boosted options when it comes to everything from cereals, oatmeal, pasta, pasta sauce and even flavor bursting queso and jalapeno turkey burgers for added fuel and nutrition.

Fresh Thyme said it seeks to inspire its communities through its curated selection of products from both established and emerging brands, fresh meat, seafood, produce offerings and more. By providing shoppers an experience where discovery is encouraged, whether they're in-store or online, Fresh Thyme aims to make it easier to lead delicious and healthy lives, the release said.