Fresh Thyme says consumers will prioritize these 2025 food trends
Terms like swicy, plant-based and even functional beverages were food terms that were not on people’s radar a few years ago. As people become more willing to try, explore, and taste new ingredients, flavors, and even concepts, the bounty of deliciousness grows. Looking ahead at 2025 food trends, Fresh Thyme is ready to stock the shelf with what consumers crave.
Predicting food trends is both science and art. Looking at what people are currently buying, adapting those concepts to innovation, and creating a buzz are all components that come together to make the must have product of the year.
As the current year comes to a close, retailers predict the food and beverages that will fill the shelf. Consumers might buy one or all of the items. Whether or not the cart is full may not matter. The conservation about the products and the willingness to be open to the possibility of a new experience is the most important part.
According to Fresh Thyme Market President, Liz Zolcak, “At Fresh Thyme Market, we believe creating a phenomenal experience for our shoppers and team members begins long before they walk through our doors. 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 predicts 10 2025 food trends
Looking ahead for the new year, Fresh Thyme believes that consumers will want the following 2025 food trends: Functional Ingredients, Evolution of the Mushroom, Rise of Non-Alcoholic, Mood-Enhancing Beverages (Part II), Spicy Foods Takeover, Mango-Everything (and Everywhere!), Nature's Natural Sweeteners, Boosting Brain Power, We're heading to Seoul, Next-Gen Sustainability, and Prioritizing Protein.
While some of these food trend concepts look familiar, there are always new ways to enjoy them. More and more brands have stepped into the non-alcoholic beverage niche. Years ago, it was a club soda with lime or a Shirley Temple. Today’s mocktails are as complicated as a speakeasy cocktail.
More importantly than the intricacies of the individual items are the overall theme that consumers are more conscious with their purchase choices. People want to support brands that share their beliefs or align with their lifestyle choices. Whether it is sustainability, healthy eating, or another concept, people want to seamless integrate all those ideas on the table.
As companies appreciate that consumers want more, they will prioritize those concepts. From sustainable grains in a bowl, bread, or even beer to increasing the amount of protein in a dish, it does make a difference beyond flavor.
These curated selections will start appearing in Fresh Thyme stores soon. Will Korean BBQ be the new swicy or the mango move beyond the fruit plate? Only time will tell, but everyone needs to take that first bite.