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Whole Foods’ Experts Share a Taste of What Foods Are Trending in 2026

The retailer’s Trends Council breaks down the ingredients and emerging products gaining momentum

By Analise Pickerrell
December 23, 2025

Whole Foods Market's Trends Council predict food trends for 2026. (Photo courtesy Whole Foods Market)

Austin is the center of innovation of all sorts, not excluding the grocery store that nearly pioneered the organic foods movement since its creation in 1980 — Whole Foods Market. These days, trends move quickly, but Whole Foods moves even faster. A few years ago, its expert Trends Council correctly predicted the popularity of regenerative agriculture. Now, it has analyzed growing inclinations and emerging tastes worldwide to compile a list of the food industry’s next big things in 2026.

A diverse group of team members, including foragers, buyers and culinary specialists make up the Whole Foods Market Trends Council. They leverage their extensive industry knowledge, insightful observations of consumer behaviors and collaborative discussions with both emerging and established brands to shape these forecasts.

“Our trends predictions are inspired by the council’s deep expertise and boots-on-the-ground discovery — at farmers markets, industry trade shows, local restaurants and more,” said Cathy Strange, Ambassador of Food Culture for Whole Foods Market and member of the Trends Council.

Here, we highlight some favorites from their report, along with top products to sample.

Tallow Takeover

Tallow has been used to cook food for millennia, but the world is falling in love with the traditional animal product — in new sustainable forms — all over again. Its high smoke point, rich flavor and dense nutrient content contribute to its reemerging appeal. By utilizing the entire animal, Whole Foods prioritizes sustainable resource management and animal welfare. While often thought of as a cooking oil associated with French fries and meat dishes, tallow can also be used to cook pastries and baked goods, infusing a robust flavor into something as unconventional as Madeleines. It’s “thinking of it out of the box,” Strange says, “not just using it around a main meal with proteins, but using it as another ingredient.”

Focus on Fiber

Step aside, protein — the new nutrient fixation is in: fiber. With a growing focus on gut health, people are learning that the prebiotics found in high-fiber foods are just as important as probiotics, as evidenced by the slew of prebiotic sodas entering the market. However, fiber can be found in a variety of diverse sources, including oats, pasta and even crackers.

Very Vinegar

We all remember the apple cider vinegar craze popularized by internet diet culture. But vinegar can hold far more benefits than the weight loss induced by a daily health shot that leaves you slightly gagged. Vinegar offers a wide range of health benefits, including promoting healthy gut bacteria for optimal digestion and blood sugar control. From vinegar-infused beverages to flavored balsamics, Whole Foods products can inspire creative uses for vinegar beyond just finishing a salad. Try drizzling a scoop of vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate or crushed strawberry vinegar for an added burst of flavorful aromatics.

Sweet, but Make It Mindful

Gone are the days of sugar-free this and sugar-free that. If consumers want something sweet, they at least want it to be genuine, as evidenced by the rising popularity of Mexican Coca-Cola, beloved for its use of real cane sugar. Other mindful sources of sweetness that are gaining popularity include dates, honey and maple syrup. Step into the world of date-sweetened dark chocolate or maple syrup butter. In Strange’s words, “Getting (away from) refined sugar is the big difference.”

Kitchen Couture

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a flashy presentation never hurts. And more than ever, consumers want kitchen products that not only taste good but look good. From creative art design to ornate tin packaging, merchandise that adds a touch of flair to your countertop is all the rage for those looking to elevate not only their cuisine but also their cooking environment.

Instant Reimagined

When we hear “instant,” most of us picture overly processed ramen noodles in a styrofoam cup with enough sodium to make you clutch your pearls. But some brands are changing the meaning — and our expectations — of “instant.” With brands upgrading their sourcing standards to ingredients like bone broth bases, chili crisps and adaptogenic add-ins, we are seeing that convenience doesn’t always mean sacrificing quality.