Prepared Foods

PF December 2024 cover

December 2024

Check out the December 2024 issue of Prepared Foods, featuring our cover story on 2025 trend predictions, Spirit of Innovation awards, and more.

Features

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Chunk Filet Mignon Plate
PREDICTIONS 2025

The Protein Revolution: Trends Shaping Consumer Choices in 2025

There are more sources of protein than ever, yet the consumer focus on that primary nutrient remains strong
Kitty Kevin, MA
December 6, 2024

Data from Innova Market Insights suggest that the growing interest in plant-based protein sources and expanding awareness of protein’s importance for health and wellness are fueling the demand. This continuing trend has manufacturers seeking novel ingredients and pathways to provide protein to satisfy the demand.


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Lifeway Mushroom Oat Cans
PREDICTIONS 2025

The Gut-Brain Revolution: How Probiotics and Prebiotics are Shaping Immune and Mental Health in 2025

Exploring the rise of gut-friendly ingredients and their role in boosting immunity, supporting mental health, and driving innovation in food and beverage products
Dr. Dana McCurdy
Dana McCurdy, PhD
December 5, 2024

The primary immune-supporting ingredient category is that of probiotics, those beneficial microbial organisms that confer some form of health benefit either directly or indirectly when ingested. With probiotics carrying the immune health banner, it’s no surprise that throughout 2024 interest in probiotics and health by both consumers and product makers rose beyond even those levels seen in 2023.


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Kimchi Fried Rice Package
PREDICTIONS 2025

Global Grains: How Rice is Shaping the Future of Menus and Retail Innovation

Rice contributes taste, texture and instant authentic appeal
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
December 4, 2024

Editor’s Note: How is rice, a global ingredient staple, influencing new menu offerings and retail product development? For a closer look, Prepared Foods turned to Katie Ayoub, president of Katie Ayoub & Associates. She serves as managing editor at Flavor & The Menu and is a content strategist for the Flavor Experience, an annual conference for chain operators. Based in Chicago, Katie has been working in foodservice publishing for more than 25 years.


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Tazo Regenerative
PREDICTIONS 2025

Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health and Consumer Awareness: Examining the Future of Food Systems

Regenerative agriculture discussions take root and gain ground for 2025
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
December 2, 2024

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. 


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White Claw Non Alcoholic Cans
PREDICTIONS 2025

Key Food and Beverage Trends Shaping Wellness, Sustainability, and Innovation in 2025

Fast-moving trends, emerging demands highlight the need for innovation agility and responsiveness
Mario DiFalco Kim Lopez-Walters
November 21, 2024

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.


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Heywell Cans on Shelf
PREDICTIONS 2025

2025 Grocery Trends: Functional Ingredients, Bold Global Flavors, and Next-Gen Sustainability

Fresh Thyme Market and SPINS partner to issue predictions for grocery trends in the year ahead
November 20, 2024

""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."


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Woman Inspecting Package Grocery
PREDICTIONS 2025

What Consumers Want in 2025: Bold Flavors, New Experiences, and a Human Touch

Menu Matters identifies five consumer needs driving tastes and trends in 2025
Maeve Webster Mike Kostyo
November 18, 2024

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.” 


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Woman In Makeup Smirnoff Promo
PREDICTIONS 2025

What’s Next in Beer, Wine, and Spirits? Key Trends Redefining the Alcoholic Beverage Landscape for 2025

Datassential identifies top alcoholic beverage trends impacting the category in the coming year
Samantha Des Jardins
November 15, 2024

This new report identifies key consumer insights across 134 trends in the alcoholic beverage industry, spanning beer, cider, wine, cocktails, seltzer, and spirits. It highlights "10 Mega Trends to Know," including alcohol-free options, global flavor influences, health-driven "better-for-you" beverages, emerging sensory experiences, and sustainability's growing impact on producers.


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Coke Oreo Cans and Packages
PREDICTIONS 2025

Top 10 Trends for 2025: Insights and Innovations Shaping the Future of Food and Beverage

The Innova Market Insights team of analysts finds consumer interest in ingredient quality as a key trend for the coming year
Lu Ann Williams
Lu Ann Williams
November 14, 2024

The Innova Market Insights Top 10 Trends 2025 presents both new trends and trends that have evolved over several years, for example, plant-based, into a new set of exciting trends that will be highly relevant to CPG manufacturers in the months to come.


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SFA 2025 Predictions
PREDICTIONS 2025

Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel Names Top 2025 Trends

Functional foods, girl dinner 2.0 among important areas of focus in the coming year
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
November 11, 2024

Comprising 20 experts from diverse segments of the culinary world, the SFA Trendspotters track emerging specialty food and beverage products in their own work and at the bi-annual SFA Fancy Food Shows, thereby getting an early look at the flavors, formats, and ideas that will hit mainstream retailers and restaurants sooner than later.


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Vital Pursuit Packages
PREDICTIONS 2025

Global Food and Drink Trends for 2025

Mintel identifies GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, and a focus on essential nutrients such as protein and fiber as a primary trend for the year ahead
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
October 18, 2024

There will be an increase in diversified ingredient sourcing, while the humanization of technology will be essential for consumers who are apprehensive about technology being used to create, modify and produce the food they put into their bodies.


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Whole Foods Product Trends for 2025
PREDICTIONS 2025

Forecasting Top 10 Food & Beverage Trends for 2025

Whole Foods Market experts share the trends set to transform our plates in this 10th annual report
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
October 21, 2024

The Whole Foods Market Trends Council – a collective of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members ranging from foragers and buyers to culinary experts – develop these trend predictions each year through a combination of deep industry experience, keen observation of consumer preferences, and collaborative sessions with emerging and established brands.


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Kroger 2025 Food Trends promo
PREDICTIONS 2025

Predicting Top Five Food Trends of 2025

Kroger revealed its best guesses for emerging trends, customer behaviors and anticipated popular items for the year ahead
Prepared Foods Editorial Staff
November 5, 2024

The trend predictions are developed by Kroger's industry-leading team of food experts including Our Brands' product developers, chefs, buyers, culinary specialists and Kroger's retail data science arm, 84.51º, for a well-rounded projection of what customers will be buzzing about for the upcoming year.


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