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Prepared Foods discussses upcycling's progress—and prospects for 2025 with Amanda Oenbring, chief executive officer at the Upcycled Food Association; and Kathryn Britton director of innovation for UFA’s certifying partner, Where Food Comes From, Inc.

Editor’s Note: For a comprehensive 2025 look at all the angles associated with regenerative agriculture, Prepared Foods interviewed Tina Owens, founder of Snowehaven Regeneration and a strategist and futurist within the US organic and regenerative agriculture movements. 

Prepared Foods has selected six new food and beverage products introduced in November 2024. Vote to let us know which new product is your favorite!

Mattson identifies four macro movements and “tipping trends” for 2025.

The report findings are further supported by FMI’s newly released ninth-annual Power of Foodservice at Retail report, which found that retail foodservice purchases continue to play a key role in shoppers’ meal preparation.

In 2025, we can expect to see a convergence of several key trends that prioritize holistic health and personalized experiences. From liver health-focused products to sugar-inspired flavors without the added sugar, the industry is responding to the growing demand for healthier options that don't compromise on taste.

In 2025, consumers will increasingly view food as part of their overall wellness routine. They expect meals to support not just physical health but also mental well-being and mood enhancement. This shift continues to drive the desire for functional foods—think beverages fortified with adaptogens, snacks rich in prebiotics/probiotics, and nutrient-dense meal replacements.

""Our annual trends report helps us not only understand the needs of our shoppers, but ensures we're exciting them by curating our shelves with the most fresh, innovative and local products,” said Fresh Thyme Market president Liz Zolcak. “Our shoppers are savvy, so it's important they know innovation is at our core and we can help them discover new products – often before they're available anywhere else in the Midwest."

A new study from Hydrosome Labs demonstrates the potential for regular consumption of Hydrosome H2O to positively influence gut health by increasing microbiome diversity and reducing inflammatory markers in mammals. According to the company, approximately 30 years ago, scientists began to investigate the formation of tiny bubbles in water, sometimes called ultrafine bubbles.

Looking to the year ahead, the overarching consumer need is that they want something new. They want fresh ideas, unique options that break through the noise, and innovations that are engaging and exciting – something that’s enough to wake them up from their “bed rotting” and “doom scrolling.”