From the Blog
2026 Food Trends - From a Self-declared Food Nerd
People who love to eat are always the best people- Julia Child
If you know me, you'll understand that food is my main motivation. Whether I'm experimenting with new recipes or just enjoying a good meal, I'm always eating.
I'm fortunate to work as the Director of Purchasing at New Pioneer Food Co-op, which means I get to sample all the latest products before they reach our shelves. Here are some food trends for 2026 that I think our shoppers will really enjoy.
Tallow is having a moment.
Tallow, or rendered beef fat, has been used in cooking for generations and is now enjoying renewed popularity. It's found in foods like potato chips and cooking sprays, as well as body care products such as creams and soaps. Its use supports whole-animal utilization, making use of a fat often discarded.
Try New Pi's house-made tallow ($7.99/lb), Epic Grass-fed Beef Tallow, and locally made Gray Toad Tallow Balm.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture refers to farming practices that restore soil health, protect biodiversity, and encourage sustainability. So many of our products at the Co-op support these principles.
For example, Frontier Co-op in Iowa offers many items ranging from vanilla extract to Jasmine tea, all promoting regenerative agriculture practices. Thousand Hills, based in Minnesota, provides all our beef and supports these methods. Dr Bronner's soaps, toothpaste, and coconut oil are also made with ingredients sourced from regenerative farms.
Kitchen Couture
My top pick! The packaging of grocery products has really improved recently, and consumers enjoy talking about and showing off new items because of their impressive designs.
Products like Graza "drizzle" olive oils, Fishwife tinned fishes, Heyday canned soups, and Back to Nature crackers are all designed to be left out on your kitchen counter for everyone to admire - and they taste delicious, too! I should also mention SMASH Foods fruit spreads, which are superfood jams made with chia seeds. They're absolutely tasty!
Try Fishwife sardines with preserved lemon served on a Back to Nature cracker for a fantastic snack that's easy but feels elevated.
Functional Drinks
Some call it soda, I call it pop. Top brands like Poppi, Olipop, and Nixie have transformed functional drinks with natural sugars, less sugar, and prebiotics for overall gut health.
Now, Vaquero joins the lineup - made with real fruit, agave, and a spicy twist. My favorite is Sandia Salva: watermelon with a jalapeno kick.
Find these products at any New Pioneer Food Co-op location. We're excited to share these new items with you!
Sue Andrews Director of Purchasing
Sue has been with New Pi since 2000 in various roles such as Store Manager, Wellness Manager and currently the Director of Purchasing. She brings decades of natural food industry knowledge to the role and more importantly loves food and bringing community together.