Food and Beverage Top Stories

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With market projections reaching $2.47 billion by 2036, upcycled products are gaining traction across categories. For product developers, the space offers opportunities to reduce waste while unlocking new ingredient functionality and value streams.

Consumers are turning to beverages that support mood, focus, and cognitive health. Functional ingredients and indulgent flavors are converging to deliver both mental wellness and sensory satisfaction.

Prepared Foods has selected six new food and beverage products introduced in March 2026. Vote below to let us know which new product is your favorite!

From cottage cheese comebacks and dill pickle protein crackers to yuzu seltzers and tikka masala sauces, Kroger sees bold, functional flavor leading the cart. In 2026, shoppers will seek premium experiences at value prices across snacks, meals and beverages.

High-protein meals, $14.3B in takeout-style offerings and value-size formats are redefining how consumers use the freezer. From multigenerational dinners to Gen Z breakfast bowls at any hour, frozen is evolving beyond convenience into a daily solution.

From Wagyu jerky and protein pretzels to freeze-dried candies and Dubai-inspired chocolate, brands leaned into crunch, co-branding and flavor adventure. Even as cocoa costs climbed and GLP-1 diets loomed, snack makers proved indulgence and better-for-you can share the same bite.

From chili lime shrimp and salmon burgers to ghost pepper tuna packets and smoked salmon candy, processors are casting wider nets for adventurous shoppers. With protein, omega-3s and Gen Z appeal in focus, seafood is staking a bigger claim across the retail store.

From chili crisp ketchup and smoky chipotle mustard to spicy ranch and pickle-forward mashups, brands leaned into heat and crossover flavor. Cleaner labels and alternative sweeteners such as avocado oil and allulose signal the next phase of condiment competition.

From 30g breakfast bowls and high-protein Hot Pockets to global noodle mashups and shelf-stable Better Bowls, brands are racing to solve the 6 p.m. question. In 2026, convenience, craveability and nutrition are converging to capture a bigger share of the at-home meal occasion.

With refrigerated and frozen alternatives declining year over year, brands are doubling down on protein, certifications and sharper price points to win back shoppers. From steak bites and value burger six-packs to chickpea masala patties and mycelium plays, the category is regrouping for its next act.