FreshDirect’s 2026 food trends and predictions report reflects a growing demand for an expanded flavor palate, shift in consumer drinking habits, desire for products made in the U.S. and an expansion of chefs making meals for the home kitchen.
In 2025, FreshDirect strengthened its customer connections through experiential events and activations in New York City, the Hamptons and other markets, as well as its first retail location.
The experiences provided the company with further insight into what is shaping the future of grocery shopping from customers’ perspective.
“At FreshDirect, our merchandising team loves to introduce customers to new products and the highest quality offerings from artisans and purveyors around the country,” said Charlotte Myer, SVP of merchandising at FreshDirect.
“Through direct customer feedback and data, we consistently curate our offerings to bring the best possible products to market, and we look forward to continuing to build upon our wide-ranging selection in the year ahead.”
FreshDirect’s merchant team of category specialists has curated this annual list of the top food trends heading into 2026:
- Sweet + spicy = swicy – From snacks and frozen meals to condiments and canned drinks consumers are embracing a blend of spice with sweet, creating a new category called swicy. Sweet and spicy combinations have long been popular in Latin America, Southeast Asia and elsewhere, but are gaining more American palates.
- Artisanal water – Artisanally crafted products have long been popular, with the newest trend looking to artisanal waters, sourced from mineral springs around the world. FreshDirect has seen customers take the trend home from restaurants, buying water for specific flavor profiles of salinity and minerality.
- Matcha movement – In 2026, FreshDirect expects matcha to make its way from coffee shops onto consumer plates, with a wide selection of matcha-flavored desserts, snacks, drinks and supplements filling shelves.
- Made in the USA – Consumers are paying close attention to where their food hails from, specifically seeking options from USA-based brands in order to source locally. In addition to sourcing nearby produce, meats and seafood, consumers are regularly buying products such as Seremoni, Farmer Ground All Purpose White Flour, Peanut Butter & Co. Old Fashioned Smooth Peanut Butter and Zip Dips.
- Cheers to ready-to-drink high ABV cocktails – FreshDirect has seen an uptick in consumers buying high-ABV ready-to-drink options as a way to enjoy craft cocktails without leaving home and expects this trend to continue well into 2026.
- Chefs hit the kitchen table – High-profile chefs continue to expand into consumer product lines, taking their culinary expertise beyond the restaurant and into home kitchens. Chefs like David Chang of Momofuku, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi of Carbone, Carlo Mirarchi of Roberta’s and Rita Sodi and Jody Williams of Via Carota have continued to build upon condiments, canned cocktails and sauces.
As 2026 unfolds, FreshDirect continues to support local artisans and deliver products that inspire and satisfy, making it easier for customers to enjoy better-for-you choices every day.
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