The Food Intelligence Podcast

In this highly anticipated episode, we unpack Tastewise’s 2026 Food & Beverage Trend Forecast — our annual deep dive into the cultural, health, and innovation shifts shaping what’s next on the plate and in the glass.

We break down the year’s biggest forces, including:

• Food as Identity Reconnection — why authenticity, heritage, and “anti-fake” foods are winning consumer trust.
• The New Body OS — how GLP-1s, fertility, and cognitive health are turning pantries into personal health systems.
• Quiet Luxury & Small Indulgences — the rise of understated premium, from cocktails to everyday staples.
• Sensory Maximalism — why textures that crack, pop, and fizz are the new frontier of experience.

Why it matters for you: If you’re a brand, retailer, or foodservice operator, this isn’t just about spotting fun products on TikTok. It’s about understanding the cultural context your consumers are living in. The brands that win in 2026 won’t just follow flavors — they’ll enable self-expression, health calibration, and authentic connections.

Whether you’re building the next functional beverage, planning retail strategy, or thinking through your marketing strategy, this episode will give you the data-backed foresight to make smarter, faster, future-ready decisions.

Get your copy of the full report here, and watch the full webinar here. 

Questions? Talk to us: live @ tastewise dot io 

This summer isn’t just hot (like, really hot) — it’s giving interesting clues for what’s next in food and beverage. In this episode, we break down the top trends from our Q3 Summer Trends Report to help you understand what today’s consumers are craving right now. From new flavor favorites to shifting priorities across retail and foodservice, these insights are essential for anyone shaping what shows up on shelves and menus this season.

Get your copy of the report here, and let us know what you think!

Did you miss this year's IFT FIRST and the zillions of snack samples on the floor? We’ve got you covered (well, except for the samples). Tastewise was on the ground at IFT First 2025, and in this quick and casual episode, we’ll break down the five most important takeaways from the floor — from the latest in AI-powered innovation to what’s next in consumer health, sustainability, and product development.

Let us know what resonated with you!

Couldn’t make it to Chicago — or still processing everything you saw on the show floor? Join Lee and Miriam from the Tastewise team for a fast-paced, insight-packed recap of the biggest themes, trends, and innovations from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show. We’ll cover:

1. The emerging trends that stole the spotlight
2. What’s top of mind for foodservice leaders right now
3. Where AI, menu innovation, and operational efficiency are heading next

Whether you walked every aisle or watched from afar, this session will help you cut through the noise and turn inspiration into action.

Inflation continues to reshape the food and beverage industry—but not all cost increases are created equal. Some are real, driven by supply chain constraints, while others are "manufactured" through business strategies like delivery fee markups. The market is changing, and it can be challenging to create pricing strategies that meet the moment. In this webinar, we'll unpack it all, analyzing consumer behavior shifts, and exploring how brands, retailers, and foodservice operators can use AI-driven insights to stay competitive.

This is a recording of our most recent "rapid response" webinar -- if you want to jump straight to the insights, head to 03:35.

Resources: 

• Full video recording
• Slides

The 2025 food tariffs are here, and they’re already shaking up pricing, sourcing, and competition across the food industry. With costs rising on key ingredients, private label gaining ground, and supply chains under pressure, how can food brands and operators stay profitable?

In this episode, Wesley and Tastewise's CEO Alon Chen break down:

• The real impact of tariffs on food costs and menu strategy
• How operators can secure pricing and find smart ingredient substitutes
• Why real-time consumer insights are critical for justifying pricing shifts
• The role of data and AI in adapting faster than the competition

If you’re in foodservice, retail, or manufacturing, this episode will give you the tools to navigate uncertainty and turn market shifts into opportunities.

In this episode, we’re sharing insights from our 2025 Trend Report, where we break down the key shifts in consumer behavior, ingredient innovation, and market dynamics that will shape the food and beverage industry in the year ahead.

You’ll hear data-backed insights and real-world examples designed to help you plan smarter for 2025—whether you're focused on product development, marketing, or menu innovation. If you’re looking to turn trend forecasts into actionable strategies, this session is for you. Let us know your thoughts at live (at) tastewise (dot) io! 

PS: Phew - tech got the best of us with this recording! Please excuse the static, bumps, and tech glitches, we promise it's worth the listen ;) 

How are ingredient innovations shaping the future of food? In this episode, Lee talks with Peter Losee, VP Marketing at Bluegrass Ingredients, about the latest advancements in ingredient technology.

Peter shares practical insights on developing unique, market-ready products and how ingredient innovation can create new opportunities for product developers and marketers. 

What’s next for foodservice? Our 2025 foodservice predictions episode is here! In this episode, Miriam sits down with Sam Newman, Tastewise’s Director of Strategic Accounts and a foodservice expert, to unpack key trends shaping the industry’s future.

From emerging consumer behaviors to game-changing technologies and mindset shifts, Sam and Miriam unpack 2025's top need-to-know insights. If you’re looking to stay ahead of evolving market dynamics and understand what’s driving the future of foodservice, this episode is a must-listen.

This episode was originally produced as a webinar with our friends at IFMA, the Food Away from Home Assocation.

What role does AI play in driving growth for food brands? In this episode, Steve Canale, SVP at Butterball, shares how the company uses artificial intelligence to understand consumers, streamline operations, and improve marketing efforts.

Through real-world examples, Steve offers a practical look at how AI can create meaningful impact in the food industry. If you're curious about the intersection of technology and business growth in the manufacturing sector, this episode is full of insights worth exploring. Let us know your thoughts!