Our flavor preferences and dietary priorities are constantly evolving, and if there’s one authority that could understand what consumers want next, it might just be a grocery store.

According to Whole Foods Market’s latest trend report, 2026 will be all about incorporating added fiber to pantries, celebrating women in agriculture, frozen food that feels fancy, and the introduction of beef tallow into more home kitchens, to name just a few upcoming trends.

A press release published by the Amazon-owned supermarket brand reveals its annual predictions of what will soon be popular in the world of food. The eight potential trends for 2026 were identified by the Whole Foods Market Trends Council, a collective consisting of Whole Foods Market team members, including foragers, buyers, and culinary experts.

Cathy Strange, ambassador of food culture for Whole Foods Market and a member of the Trends Council, explains that the projections are based on the council’s “deep expertise and boots-on-the-ground (findings) at farmers markets, industry trade shows, local restaurants, and more.”

It’s highly likely you’ve already seen some of these trends cropping up on social media, and this major grocery chain believes you’ll soon see them in supermarket aisles and home kitchens as well.

Beef tallow

Although beef tallow is seeing a surge in interest on social media, this timeless ingredient is far from new. Whole Foods notes that customers are increasingly interested in what they consider to be “ancestral ingredients” and are seeking out alternative cooking oils. You’ll already see easy-to-use versions of this rendered beef fat on Whole Foods shelves, such as jars of Epic Provisions Beef Tallow or South Chicago Packing Wagyu Beef Tallow Spray.

A focus on fiber

As Whole Foods details, “Protein continues to be king, but fiber is gaining traction as consumers seek gut health, holistic digestive wellness, and natural ways to feel fuller longer.” Amid increased interest in cultivating gut health, the Texas-based chain predicts that consumers will continue to seek out fiber-rich products.

Food and beverage brands are already starting to more prominently display fiber content on their packaging. Expect to see a variety of fiber-forward products in grocery store aisles next year, including prebiotic sodas, baked goods, and pastas with added fiber, like Three Farm Daughters Cavatappi Pasta and Sola Bagels.

Products from female farmers

Whole Foods is celebrating female farmers who are leading the way in the industry and notes that “the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.” As the store explains in its press release, food brands like Lotus Foods, Kvarøy Arcticand True Moringa are supporting the movement and backing initiatives such as fair wages and international scholarships for women in agriculture.

Shoppers can now find a diverse array of products created by female farmers at Whole Foods, including Damya Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fable Fish Co. Wild Alaskan Salmon Jerky, and Tomatero Farm Organic Early Girl Dry-Farmed Tomatoes, to name just a few.

Food products that double as decor

Whole Foods forecasts that packaging design will soon shape consumer behavior and purchasing decisions even more than it already does. As the grocer explains, “Today’s consumers are drawn to eye-catching artwork that was previously reserved for wine labels but now brings an aesthetic appeal to everyday items and staples.”

A growing number of brands are taking notice and revamping their packaging to meet shoppers’ desires for displaying aesthetic pantry items. Standout examples that Whole Foods will be selling in stores include brightly colored canned seafood from Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co. and the striking, graphic bottles from the social media-loved brand Graza Olive Oil.

Freezer fine dining

Accepting mediocre frozen meals is a thing of the past, and delicious offerings from the freezer aisle have become something many of us actually look forward to at dinner time. Whole Foods has noticed that customers are increasingly seeking frozen foods that emphasize high-quality ingredients and showcase global cuisines, such as arancini or pupusas.

In the frozen section of your local Whole Foods, you can now find a wide selection of frozen meals that might excite you, such as Flour + Water Cacio e Pepe Pizza, Laoan Roughon Crabor Saiga Foods Pho. This means it’s time to say goodbye to that same sad frozen lasagna you’re used to.

A vinegar renaissance

The grocer is shining a spotlight on a classic pantry staple: vinegar. Whole Foods observes that while vinegar has never faded from use in home cooking and kitchens, shoppers are now ”seeking out premium, small-batch options, bold new flavors, and innovative formats that (upgrade) everything from home-cooked meals to craft cocktails and mocktails on restaurant menus.”

According to the trends report, the tangy power of vinegar will be heavily featured in Whole Foods’ aisles across multiple product categories, including zingy mayos like Ayoh! Foods’ Hot Giardinayo Sando Sauceexciting dressings such as Cabi Foods’ Sweet Yuzu Vinaigretteand zesty drinks like Ringa’s Moringa + Apple Cider Vinegar Fusion Beverage.

Naturally and lightly sweetened treats

The grocery chain predicts that products subtly sweetened with cane sugar or alternative ingredients, such as maple syrup, will become even more popular in 2026. This trend may even extend to candy, as Whole Foods observes that “We’re seeing jam, chocolate, and gummy brands leaning on real fruit in their products, rather than high amounts of sugar, for flavor and texture.”

One great example of this is the Hu Hazelnut Butter Dark Chocolate Biteslightly sweetened treats made with just four organic ingredients: cacao, unrefined coconut sugar, hazelnut butter, and cocoa butter.

Amping up instant food and drinks

Whether it’s a box of mac and cheese or some instant coffee, the convenience of instant food and drink options means that almost all of us turn to them occasionally. But the best news as we look to next year is Whole Foods’ prediction that we’ll see a new wave of instant products focusing on nutritional value and high-quality ingredients.

Whether it’s bone broth-based instant ramen that packs more protein or pour-over lattes that provide barista-level quality, we’ll all be happier with instant grocery options that we actually look forward to. Some other prime examples you can find at Whole Foods include Aiya Matcha To Go Sticks, Patagonia Provisions Sardines + Beansand Rising Tide Magic Oats with Mushrooms.

Whole Foods emphasizes that it’s “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,” and if these trends turn out to be true, it’s likely we’ll all be feeling more inspired at the grocery store too.