Whole Foods Market has once again turned the spotlight on what’s next in food. Today, the retailer’s Trends Council revealed the top food trends predicted to shape 2026 in its annual Trends predictions report. According to the report, the upcoming year will see a surge in fiber-forward foods, elevated frozen meals, a revival of traditional fats like tallow, and an increased focus on supporting female farmers. These trends, reflecting both innovation and sustainability, are set to influence everything from grocery store shelves to home kitchens.
The Whole Foods Market Trends Council, composed of team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts, draws upon years of industry experience and a hands-on understanding of emerging consumer behaviors. Each year, council members analyze data, observe eating patterns, and collaborate with established and rising brands to predict what will capture the public’s imagination in the year ahead.
“Each year, our Trends report captures the pulse of what’s next in food, and 2026 is no exception,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market. “This year’s trends highlight how curiosity, creativity, and conscious choices are shaping the way people eat and shop. We’re inspired by the innovation we’re seeing across the food landscape and can’t wait to watch these ideas come to life in our aisles and beyond.”
Cathy Strange, Whole Foods Market’s Ambassador of Food Culture and a member of the Trends Council, added, “Our trends predictions are inspired by deep expertise and boots-on-the-ground discovery—at farmers’ markets, industry trade shows, local restaurants, and more. The 2026 list reflects how quickly ideas can move from emerging concepts to everyday favorites. It’s exciting to see how these trends will shape conversations in kitchens, communities, and the broader food culture in the year ahead.”
Here’s a closer look at the top trends expected to define 2026:
Tallow Takeover
Beef tallow, a staple of traditional cooking, is enjoying a modern resurgence. Once prized for its high smoke point, rich flavor, and versatility in frying and baking, tallow is being rediscovered by consumers who value ancestral ingredients and seek alternatives to standard cooking oils. Social media has amplified interest in tallow, promoting it as a nourishing, multi-purpose ingredient. Restaurants are incorporating tallow into everything from crispy fries to decadent pastries, giving the fat a second life while promoting “nose-to-tail” cooking practices.
Consumers can experiment with tallow in a variety of ways, from culinary uses to beauty products. Notable options include Epic Provisions Beef Tallow, FOND Grass-Fed and Regenerative Beef Tallow, Jesse & Ben’s ‘Tallow & Sea Salt’ House-Cut Fries, Maggie Ann Soap Co. Tallow Soap (launching by November 2025), and South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow Cooking Spray.
Focus on Fiber
While protein has dominated nutrition headlines for years, fiber is emerging as a powerful trend for gut health, digestive wellness, and satiety. Increasingly, brands are highlighting fiber content on packaging and incorporating fiber-rich ingredients into a broad range of products, including breads, crackers, bars, and pastas. Plant-based staples such as cassava, chicory root, and konjac are now commonly used in prebiotic beverages and ready-to-eat meals. Oats, a long-standing pantry favorite, are reappearing in innovative products designed for both taste and digestive benefits.
Fiber-forward offerings include 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Caramelized Pineapple Prebiotic Soda, Bio.me Daily Prebiotic Fiber, Halfday Iced Tea Prebiotic Half & Half, Happy Family Organics Happy Tot Fiber & Protein Pouches, Olyra Blueberry Soft Baked Bites, Sola Everything and Blu-Berry Bagels, and Three Farm Daughters Cavatappi Pasta with Prebiotic Fiber (available in select stores).
Year of the Female Farmer
With many family farms struggling to attract new generations, 2026 will shine a spotlight on women farmers and agricultural innovators. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, emphasizing the critical role women play in sustainable food systems. Initiatives like the National Young Farmers Coalition’s Young Farmer Grant program support female-identifying, nonbinary, and trans farmers with essential funding, empowering them to grow their operations.
Brands are actively supporting female farmers globally. Lotus Foods invests in higher wages and community improvements for women on their farms. Kvarøy Arctic offers scholarships and internships specifically for women in aquaculture, while True Moringa assists women tree crop farmers in Ghana with land, training, irrigation, organic certification, and access to healthcare. Products reflecting this trend include Acure + Apricot Lane Farms Avocado Oil & Lavender Hand Wash, Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam cheese, Diestel Family Ranch Regeneratively Raised Ground Turkey (launching March 2026), and Lotus Foods Organic White Jasmine & Forbidden® Rice.
Kitchen Couture
“Dopamine décor,” a design concept centered on joy-inducing, visually appealing spaces, has extended its influence into the kitchen. Shoppers are now seeking products that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. Packaging with bold colors and eye-catching designs can turn everyday items into countertop art, offering a little luxury in daily routines. Consumers are embracing the idea that food presentation, even at home, can spark joy.
Examples of products embracing Kitchen Couture include Bianco DiNapoli Organic Crushed Tomatoes, Brightland 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil (ALIVE), Cloud23 Sweet Jalapeño Hot Sauce, Graza “Drizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Glass, and Red Feather Pure Creamery Butter.
Freezer Fine Dining
Frozen foods are moving beyond convenience, entering the realm of gourmet, restaurant-quality dining at home. Consumers are increasingly drawn to frozen meals that combine high-quality ingredients with global flavors, offering both convenience and indulgence. From arancini to pupusas and other chef-inspired dishes, the frozen aisle is becoming a playground for culinary creativity, perfect for home cooks looking to elevate weeknight dinners.
Recommended products include Flour + Water Cacio e Pepe Pizza, Force of Nature Grass-Fed Beef Ancestral Blend Classic Meatballs, Laoban Crab Rangoon, Masienda Beef Birria Quesadillas, MiLa Caramelized Scallion Oil Noodles, Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings, and Whole Foods Market Creamy Harissa and Cheese Phyllo Bites.
Very Vinegar
Vinegar is experiencing a renaissance as consumers explore its culinary versatility and potential health benefits. From sipped tonics to infused varieties and raw, unfiltered “living” vinegars, this ancient ingredient is finding new applications. Vinegar is now enhancing condiments, cocktails, and everyday cooking with bold flavors, while brands provide creative usage tips directly on packaging.
Trendy vinegars and vinegar-infused products include American Vinegar Works Better Than Champagne Chardonnay Wine Vinegar, Ayoh! Foods Hot Giardinayo Sando Sauce, Cabi Foods Sweet Yuzu Vinaigrette, Häxan Ferments Fermented Hot Sauce and Vinegars, and Whole Foods Market Organic Pear & Honey Balsamic Salad Kit.
Sweet, But Make It Mindful
The desire for sweet flavors remains strong, but health-conscious consumers are opting for subtle sweetness from natural sources like whole fruit, honey, or real cane sugar. This trend emphasizes flavor without excessive sugar content and is reflected in chocolate, jam, gummy, and confectionery products. TikTok and other social platforms continue to influence innovative ways to enjoy sweet treats, including date-based candy and energy bars.
Products representing mindful sweetness include Corpse Reviver Electrolyte Drinks, GOOD GOOD Special Reserve Five Fruits Spread, Harken Sweets The Lil’ Nutty Ones – Date Caramel Candy Bars, Hu Hazelnut Butter Dark Chocolate Bites, and Whole Foods Market Regenerative Organic Certified Maple Butter.
Instant Reimagined
The concept of “instant” has been transformed from a convenience term to an elevated culinary experience. Consumers are embracing premium instant options such as single-serve pour-over coffees, meals-in-a-cup, and shelf-stable gourmet foods. TikTok continues to showcase inventive instant products, encouraging brands to innovate with flavors, adaptogens, and high-quality ingredients.
Standout instant products include 365 by Whole Foods Market Instant Espresso Single Serve Coffee Sticks, Aahana’s Coconut & Ginger Sprouted Power Bowl, Aiya’s Matcha To Go Sticks, Maya Kaimal Chinese Indian Fried Rice with Pineapple, and Whole Foods Market Regenerative Organic Certified Cilantro Lime Flavored Rice.
With these eight trends, Whole Foods Market is highlighting the intersection of health, sustainability, culinary creativity, and community empowerment. From fiber-rich innovations to kitchen aesthetics, the 2026 Trends Report promises a year of food exploration and thoughtful eating, demonstrating how the modern food landscape continues to evolve in exciting and delicious ways.
