LOS ALAMITOS, CA - With the fast-approaching new year comes the time to map out new chances for success in 2022. To help buyers stay ahead of the constantly evolving needs of consumers, the tastemakers at Frieda’s have rolled out an intriguing list of predictions for the food trends of the new year.

Cindy Sherman, Director of Marketing, Innovation, and Insights, Frieda’s “Whether it’s more time for a leisurely breakfast while working from home, or embracing Korean culture, we are seeing people crave sensorial explorations and the desire to make every moment and bite count,” said Cindy Sherman, Director of Marketing, Innovation, and Insights for Frieda’s. “Consumers are seeking new experiences, starting with redefining their morning cup of joe, a rainbow of milk colors, and infusing health and wellness into every nook and cranny of their daily life.”

Among the categories that Frieda’s predicted will make a large impact on the retail sector in the coming year are:

• Superhero Coffee – infusing dried mushrooms and fresh turmeric into coffee to inject extra nutritional benefits and energy into your standard cup of joe
• Korea Worldwide – From K-Pop to K-dramas to fashion, beauty, and food, Korean culture and flavors remind us that our global world is united. Explore Korea from your kitchen by creating Musaengchae (spicy radish salad) with daikon radish
• Breakfast at Leisure – Consumers are savoring the first meal of the day more now that working from home has allowed it. Shoppers can cube Fire Dragons® dragon fruit into a smoothie bowl or put oomph into eggs with Stokes Purple® sweet potatoes, offering a key opportunity to retailers looking to capitalize on the most important meal of the day
• Bloom of the ’Shroom – Mushrooms are starring in food, functional drinks, and fashion. The culinary and beverage worlds are eating up the umami flavors and health benefits by adding dried shiitake or porcinis into sipping broths
• Milk Gets Tubular – Potatoes as milk? Yes! Low in sugar and saturated fat, this creamy liquid is ripe with possibilities. Consumers can make potato milk sweet by adding Stokes Purple sweet potatoes and enjoy creamy, lavender deliciousness.

The tastemakers at Frieda’s have rolled out an intriguing list of predictions for the food trends of the new year (Click image to enlarge)

So buyers, keep an eye out for unique ways to harness these rising trends to drive more dollars to your specialty produce department!

Frieda’s