Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market projects trends including “epic breakfast” and “basics on fire” for 2021.
“There have been radical shifts in consumer habits in 2020,” Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief marketing officer for Whole Foods, said in a news release. “For example, shoppers have found new passions for cooking, they’ve purchased more items related to health and wellness, and more are eating breakfast at home every day compared to pre-COVID. Food trends are a sign of the times, and our 2021 trends are no exception.”
The 10 food trends Whole Foods has outlined for 2021 are:
- Health-focused foods — “Superfoods,” probiotics, broths and sauerkrauts will be popular, and suppliers will look to incorporate “functional ingredients” like vitamin C and mushrooms, Whole Foods writes.
- Renewed focus on breakfast with more people working from home.
- Better basics — “Hot new takes on pantry staples,” like fancier spices, sauces and pastas, are expected to be in demand.
- Coffee creep — You don’t have to drink your caffeine; you can have it in your granola, smoothies, yogurt and more.
- Elevated baby food — Lots of combinations of ingredients many people wouldn’t automatically think of for kids, like rhubarb, rosemary and purple carrots.
- Fruit and vegetable jerkys — “Jerky isn’t just for meat lovers anymore,” according to the Whole Foods trends list.
- “Upcycled” peels and stems for snacking and other products.
- Oil options — Beyond olive oil, walnut and pumpkin seed oils and more are on the rise.
- Alcoholic kombucha — The beverage touted for its positive effects on health is becoming more widely available as in hard versions.
- Chickpeas — “Chickpeas are the new cauliflower,” Whole Foods writes.