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Amazon-owned Whole Foods on Monday revealed its predictions for the top trends and products that will dominate the food industry in 2020.
The list includes items such as zero-proof drinks, watermelon seed butter, vegetable flours, and monk-fruit sweetener.
The list was compiled by more than 50 Whole Foods employees including regional and global buyers and culinary experts with "decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing, studying consumer preferences and participating in food and wellness industry exhibitions worldwide," the company said.
Zero-proof drinks are non-alcoholic versions of cocktails. They are expected to become more popular as a growing number of people, especially millennials, seek out alternatives to alcohol, Whole Foods said.
Whole Foods suggests trying HopTea Sparkling Teas: The Really Hoppy One made with black tea, Heineken 0.0, Athletic Brewing Company non-alcoholic brews, and Kater Wingman longneck sparkling waters.
A kids' menu overhaul
Brands are increasingly rethinking food for kids, especially as millennials begin having families, according to Whole Foods.
"Think non-breaded salmon fish sticks," the company said. "Foods that are fermented, spiced or rich in umami flavors. Colorful pastas in fun shapes made from alternative flours."
As plant-based proteins surge in popularity, brands are increasingly testing out shoppers' appetites for blends of both plant and meat proteins.
Whole Foods suggests trying Applegate's The Great Organic Blended Burger and the Lika Plus Blended Burger.
Refrigerated snacks
Snacks are getting fresher.
Whole Foods says a slew of snacks are hitting the refrigerated section including hard-boiled eggs with savory toppings, pickled vegetables, mini dips, and drinkable soups.
Whole Foods suggests trying Peckish Fresh Protein Packs' Eggs & Maple Waffles, Nona Lim drinkable soups: Vietnamese Pho Bone Broth, Perfect Bar Refrigerated Protein Bars, and Good Culture Organic Cottage Cheese single serving cups.
Regenerative agriculture
Products are emerging that are developed using "regenerative agriculture," which generally describes farming practices that help the environment by restoring damaged soil or improving biodiversity, according to Whole Foods.
Whole Foods suggests trying MegaFood Turmeric Strength for Whole Body, MegaFood B12 Energy Ginger Gummies, White Oak Pastures Grassfed Ground Beef, Zack's Mighty Tortilla Chips, Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam, and Soli Artisan Essential Oil Sacred Forest Collection.
Plant-based alternatives to soy
In 2020, "the trendiest brands are slowing down on soy," according to Whole Foods.
Some brands are replacing soy with mung beans, hemp seed, and watermelon seeds.
Whole Foods suggests trying Ocean's Halo's Organic No Soy Soy-Free Sauce and Plant-Based Vega Protein & Energy powder.
Sugar alternatives
New sugar alternatives are popping up, including syrupy reductions from fruit sources like monk fruit, pomegranates, coconut, and dates, according to Whole Foods.
Whole Foods suggests trying Just Pomegranate Syrup, Lakanto Monk Fruit Sweeteners, D'vash Sweet Potato Nectar, Birch Benders Monk Fruit Sweetened Pancake Syrup: Classic Maple, and Swerve sweetener.
Everything butters and spreads
Food companies are looking beyond almonds and peanuts to make butters and spreads.
"Think seed butters beyond tahini — like watermelon seed butter — and seasonal products like pumpkin butter year-round," the company said.
West African flavors include tomatoes, onions, chili peppers, peanuts, ginger, and lemongrass. Superfoods from the region include moringa, tamarind, sorghum, fonio, and millet.
Whole Foods suggests trying Kuli Kuli Organic Pure Moringa Vegetable Powder, Ginjan Organic Ginger Juice, Essie Spice Condiments' Mango Chili Medley, and Yolélé Fonio.
Fruit and vegetable flours
"2020 will bring more interesting fruit and vegetable flours (like banana!) into home pantries, with products like cauliflower flour in bulk and baking aisles, rather than already baked into crusts and snack products," the company writes.
Brands are also replacing regular flour with these alternative flours in products such as Late July Tortilla Chips made with tiger-nut flour.
Whole Foods suggests trying 365 Everyday Value Cauliflower Flour, 365 Everyday Value Organic Coconut Flour, Gemini Superfoods Tigernut Flour, and Superseed Life Donuts.
