The past year has been another food adventure full of innovation. While we often see common themes year after year, the trend evolution continues to bring new brands and line extensions to store shelves. Before we give a hint of what’s to come for 2025, let’s look at some of the big hits from 2024.
2024 Dinnerplate Recap
Beverages Abound: Hydration and functionality are a winning formula in this category. Beverage brands are getting better and better with quality ingredients and fantastic flavours that meet all consumers’ needs. Prebiotic no-sugar added sodas are having a bright moment at retail with several brands quietly taking over cooler and shelf space. Meanwhile, Non-Alcoholic beverages are booming – whether you’re looking for an NA beer, RTD beverages, spirits or mixes, there is no lack of choice.
Upscaling Dining, with Convenience: With the restaurants challenged to maintain affordable menu options, consumers are looking for easy dinner options that won’t break the bank. With half of Canadians buying HMR multiple times per month1, the category has seized the opportunity, offering sophisticated and quality meal choices that rival the most skilled home chefs. “Grocerants” even offer semi-prepared ingredients, that can be brought home as an add-on to the home menu (think vegetable side dishes that can be warmed and served, or fresh poke to be added to a fresh rice bowl).
A New Definition for Global Flavours: One of the benefits of Canada’s growing immigrant population is the emergence and now integration of international flavours across the store. As consumers become more acquainted with international cuisines, regional ingredients and dishes are coming to the forefront. This trend is unlikely to slow down any time soon.
2025 Highlights on the Horizon
Brown Sugar: Coined THE flavour of 2025, brown sugar and its molasses hinted flavouring will be incorporated into specialty beverages, baked goods and even savoury sauces.2 A pantry staple, brown sugar is versatile and nostalgic – making this ingredient accessible to all consumers.
Apocalyptic Staples: The days of pantry loading aren’t quite over, especially with cost-consciousness top of mind and a slew of fun and innovative meal kits popping up. While convenience has been the traditional attribute for this segment, sophisticated flavour profiles and minimal processing are leading the next generation of meal kit brands.
New Rules for Aging Well: Blue Zone Lifestyles have been on the radar for a while, but consumers are dialing in how to incorporate daily longevity hacks with informed lifestyle choices, diet,
1 Mintel Canada, Grocery Retailing, 2024
2 https://www.foodandwine.com/brown-sugar-flavor-of-the-year-2025-food-and-beverage-trends-report-8761950
