The report, which was released on October 18, was compiled by a Trends Council that consists of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members. This includes local foragers, regional and global buyers, and culinary experts, who forecast trend predictions based on decades of experience and expertise in product sourcing. These pros also study consumer preferences, and conduct in-depth workshops with both emerging and existing brands, so they really get a comprehensive feel for what items are piquing shoppers’ interest.
“Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time at home. As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect to see consumers prioritize food and drink products that deliver additional benefits—like functional sodas and tonics—and products that support their sense of well-being, like urban garden greens and products grown with farming processes that help address soil health,” Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, the Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market, said in a statement. “We look forward to watching these trends take form in grocery aisles and on our plates in 2022.”
And lest you doubt the Whole Foods Powers That Be, we feel compelled to remind you that last year’s trends report was surprisingly accurate, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued. While there’s virtually no way Whole Foods could have predicted a TikTok-powered obsession with salmon bowls or the public’s increased interest in grilling giant sunflowers, the chain did correctly assess shoppers’ interest in things like elevated breakfasts that don’t include granola bars or smoothies, and upcycled foods that promote sustainability.
In fact, Whole Foods also accurately predicted a rise in chickpea-based, well, everything, and kombucha cocktails, so we’d say their track record is pretty darn good. Keep reading for a heads up regarding some of the must-have food items for 2022.
Whole Foods has actually been a pioneer in the urban farming space since 2013, when the grocery chain opened a Whole Foods Market store in Brooklyn with a Gotham Greens greenhouse on top. Said greenhouse provides fresh and sustainably grown herbs and salad greens using sunlight and 100 percent renewable electricity.
In the years since, innovation in indoor farming has ballooned, from hydroponics and aquaponics to mushrooms grown above Whole Foods’ grocery aisles. And since urban farming exists in areas with larger populations, it tends to be more sustainable and eco-conscious than more traditional farming methods because it often reduces transportation costs as well as corresponding fossil fuel consumption.
From a culinary perspective, it’s known for its tart taste and powerful aroma. Yuzu is also incredibly versatile in the kitchen, which makes it a vibrant star of everything from cocktails and salad dressings to tarts and soups. Expect to see more of this tangerine-sized fruit on restaurant menus and grocery store aisles in the future.
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For some reducitarian-approved meals, try these vegan soup recipes.
Thanks to its high vitamin C content, this edible flower with an unmistakable hot pink hue definitely deserves a spot on your grocery list. Need some inspiration? Try it in a cocktail or a cake.
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