The 2025 Winter Fancy Food Show highlighted the rapid evolution of specialty food. From protein-packed innovations and gut-friendly fermented snacks to cacao alternatives, the show underscored how brands are redefining indulgence and health.
Aji Amarillo, McCormick’s flavor of the year, is a vibrant pepper known for its fruity, tropical notes and moderate heat. And it’s poised to make waves across food and beverage menus worldwide.
The growing popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is reshaping the yogurt market, as consumers increasingly seek protein-packed snacks. Multiple brands are innovating with high-protein, low-sugar options.
As CPGs can no longer guarantee price increases as a surefire way to maintain positive margins, they’re looking to other solutions. Premiumization and brand acquisitions are two methods stakeholders will leverage in the coming year.
At the recent National Retail Federation’s 2025 Big Show, Target’s Chief Commercial Officer highlighted how the retailer’s agile strategies, inclusive branding, and innovative partnerships keep it ahead in a competitive landscape.
The quest to lower one’s biological age, which reflects physiological health rather than years lived, could soon reshape the health and wellness landscape, driven by advancements in aging research. The F&B industry has a unique opportunity to innovate products that support longevity.
Despite recent challenges, the plant-based sector is primed for growth in some respects, with opportunities to innovate through functional ingredients, whole-food formulations, and clean-label transparency.
At the recent Retail’s Big Show event by the NRF, technology took center stage, showing the need for businesses to transform their operations with a digital future in mind. Here’s a look at three themes slated to take over retail in the new year.
Amid extreme weather, water scarcity, and economic instability, duckweed is emerging as a low-cost, eco-friendly protein source that grows year-round. The fast-growing aquatic plant also contains all nine essential amino acids, setting it apart from other plant-based protein sources like soy.
The CPG category is undergoing a significant transformation, blending AI, retail media networks, and social shopping to create deeply personalized experiences. These innovations are reshaping shopping into a seamless experience for consumers.
Starbucks’ revamped winter menu reflects growing consumer interest in global flavors, with items like customizable matcha lattes. These innovations also highlight the coffee giant’s focus on personalized experiences.
CES 2025 promises to spotlight cutting-edge advancements in ag-tech and food tech. Food industry executives attending the event will gain firsthand insight into technologies addressing global challenges like sustainability, automation, and precision agriculture.
The F&B industry is at a transformative crossroads, where AI-driven advancements, and the rise of functional foods, are reshaping how we think about nutrition. In 2025, the challenge will be balancing innovation with preserving the cultural essence of food.
PepsiCo recently told The Food Institute that it’s doubling down on Gen Z’s blurred meal and snack habits by embracing bold flavors and immersive brand experiences. The corporation is paying particularly close attention to trends inspired by TikTok.
TikTok is driving viral food trends while spiking sales for some businesses. For food brands and restaurants, the platform’s unparalleled reach can spark both massive success and unexpected controversy.
GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are transforming dieting culture, offering a relatively easy solution to weight loss. While these drugs may disrupt food consumption patterns, their long-term impact hinges on overcoming high dropout rates and premium pricing, one industry insider says.
Chaos cooking, a culinary movement popularized by TikTok, involves combining unexpected ingredients to create bold, experimental dishes like birria ramen. Its playful fusion especially resonates with Gen Z.
As restaurants compete in an increasingly “phygital” world, blending digital and physical experiences is key to meeting consumer expectations in 2025. Restaurant-tech company Tillster expects curbside pickup to ramp up, too.
Buy-now-pay-later services are surging in popularity, with Adobe projecting $18.5 billion in holiday purchases this year. While retailers benefit from increased sales and lower fees compared to credit cards, experts warn that BNPL poses risks if not carefully regulated.
Most Americans fall short of recommended fiber intake levels. Nutrition expert and Olympic cyclist Dotsie Bausch notes there are numerous misconceptions around fiber and its benefits for gut health and disease prevention.
With dreams of CPG integration, FitBiomics is producing probiotics designed by data mining the gut microbiomes of professional athletes. Is this the next big wellness trend?
Taco Bell is collaborating with its customer base to create a unique, community-driven ad campaign for its upcoming Super Bowl slot.
F&B brands are embracing inclusivity this year, debuting an array of innovative, allergen-free holiday treats ranging from vegan advent calendars to dairy-free nog.
Coca-Cola’s AI-generated holiday ads sparked backlash for prioritizing spectacle over substance, highlighting a key lesson for food industry players: AI must deliver real-world value to resonate.
The 2024 PLMA Trade Show showcased private label’s ascent, with U.S. store brand sales projected to surpass $250 billion this year. Trends like globally inspired dips and coffeehouse-style beverages at home captured consumer interest.
A recent Trend Tracker report from Yelp found that “coffee omakase” enjoyed a shocking 5,173% rise in searches between Sept. ’23-’24. What’s behind this surge in interest?
The latest financial data shows Cava is enjoying tremendous success, outpacing the fast-casual dining segment and sustaining jaw-dropping growth. Some of this success is likely thanks to its Gen Z engagement strategy.
While industry experts note that yogurt remains popular due to its ties to gut health trends, they emphasize the need for innovation in portable, health-focused products for brands to stay competitive amid shifting consumer preferences.
Delta’s latest partnership with Shake Shack has been met with excitement; however, is it enough to shake the airline’s negative in-flight meal image?
New research suggests higher levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may reduce the risk of developing several cancers. While omega fatty acids provide health benefits, experts recommend focusing on whole food sources over supplements.
With the world’s population expected to reach nearly 10 billion by 2050, manufacturers are looking for unique solutions to satisfy the growing consumer base’s nutrient-dense needs. Can precision fermentation be the key?
Beer trends in 2025 include accelerated interest in saccharine brews as well as better-for-you beverages, according to a recent report. The Food Institute takes a look at some of the forces motivating these shifts.
Dr. Tsipi Shoham, a cancer researcher turned CEO, believes “quantum farming” – an innovative, AI-driven agriculture method – could improve public health. She also feels she has found the answer to indoor farming’s short-comings.
Taco Bell has achieved 11 consecutive quarters of growth. The keys, experts note, include targeted digital marketing, limited-time offers, and innovative menu updates that resonate with young consumers and drive repeat visits.
F&B brands are tapping into nostalgia by reintroducing iconic products from the past, like Twinkles cereal from the 1960s. By offering these LTOs, brands appeal to consumers’ emotional connection to products, resonating across generations.
The trend of “kidult” marketing features brands like McDonald’s and Taco Bell creating nostalgic experiences tailored for adults. Brands are tapping into nostalgia to appeal to millennials and Gen Z.
