Amazon-owned Whole Foods recently unveiled its predictions for the top food trends in 2020
- Regenerative Agriculture, which is defined as farming and grazing practices that restore degraded soil, improve biodiversity and increase carbon capture to create long-lasting environmental benefits. This includes things like composting and crop rotation. Large producers like Stonyfield, General Mills and Danone North America have already invested money and resources in developing such practices.
- New Flours. Alternative flours have become more mainstream as people try trendy diets that reject wheat flour. This could open the door to flours made from bananas and cauliflower.
- Foods from West Africa. Superfoods from the region like moringa and tamarind, which are known for their health benefits, can be mixed with tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, peanuts, ginger and lemongrass. Cereal grains from this area, including sorghum, fonio, teff and millet will also become more popular.
- Refrigerated, Single Serve Packages. This could include things like hard-boiled eggs, pickled vegetables, soups and mini dips.
- Plant-Based Products Other Than Soy. Brands could start using more grains, mung beans, hempseed, pumpkin, avocado, watermelon seeds and golden chlorella, which is a type of algae. According to the retailer, the market for meat substitutes is expected to hit $2.5 billion by 2023.
- New Butters and Spreads. These new options will go beyond nuts and chickpeas to include watermelon seeds and pumpkin butter.
- Kids Go Organic. This could include new ingredients for traditional favorites like chicken nuggets, as well as additions like non-breaded salmon fish sticks and pastas made from alternative flours.
- Sugar and Syrup Substitutes. Instead of sweeteners made from typical sugars, stevia, honey and maple syrup, a transition will be made to sources like monk fruit, pomegranates, coconuts and dates.
- Plant-Meat Blends. To make sure they're not left out of the plant-based meat trend, some producers will introduce products like protein burgers made from beef and pea protein, and sausages and meatballs that combine chicken with plants like chickpeas, black beans, and quinoa.
- Alcohol-Alternative Drinks. The sober-curious movement is driving growth in low or no-alcohol beverages. An example could include a type of alternative gin that could be mixed with tonic for a sort of faux martini.
