Consumer Food Trends in Canada 2025: Data-Backed Guide
Canada’s consumers are choosing value, convenience, high-protein, and global flavours while drinking less alcohol. See the latest data, regional tips, and how operators in Ontario and Atlantic Canada can act fast.
Canada’s food habits are shifting again. Value is back, protein is hot, frozen and prepared foods keep growing, and low- and no-alcohol is mainstream. Grocers and foodservice are adapting with private label, ready-made meals, and faster self-serve options.
Below is a concise, data-first look at what is rising, what is fading, and how to take advantage and capitalize on these trends as a foodservice operator.
1) The big consumer food trends in Canada (2025)
Canadians still feel squeezed, so value matters. Canada’s Food Price Report 2025 forecasts food inflation at 3–5% with an average family spend of $16,833.67 in 2025, keeping affordability top of mind. (Welcome to Dalhousie University)
Private label keeps gaining share. Half of global shoppers say they are buying more private label than ever, a trend mirrored in Canadian banners and meal solutions. (NIQ)
Ready-made and “quick supper” solutions expand. Grocers are investing in ready-made meals as consumers seek convenience at lower cost. (CityNews Toronto)
Protein climbs the priority list. Canadian trackers point to fast-rising interest in high-protein snacks and meals. (CCentral)
“Better for you” without giving up indulgence. Canadians are balancing wellness with pleasure, favouring clean ingredients and portion-controlled treats. (Canadian Grocer)
Low- and no-alcohol acceleration. Canadian non-alcoholic beverage sales grew 24% to $199M in the year to June 2024, while per-capita beer consumption continues to decline. (NIQ)
Global flavours and back-to-basics. 2025 outlooks call out global tastes, baking and scratch cooking, and clean labels. (edc.ca)
Inflation is cooler, but shoppers remain price-sensitive. Headline CPI eased to around 1.9% in June 2025, though baskets remain carefully managed. (Statistics Canada)
2) What do Canadians actually consume most?
There is no single “most eaten food,” but three useful signals:
At home (grocery baskets delivered): Most-ordered grocery items on Uber Eats in Canada were bananas, cucumbers, eggs, strawberries, tomatoes. That shows staples still anchor baskets. (Uber)
Protein choice: Chicken remains the most consumed meat by Canadians, at ~34.8 kg per capita in 2024. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Beverage behaviour: Alcohol moderation continues, with non-alcoholic options growing quickly and beer volumes falling. (NIQ)
3) Current consumer market trends related to food
Trading down, not dropping out. More shoppers are mixing national brands with private label, bulk formats, and loyalty offers. (NIQ)
Frozen and prepared are sticky. Global and Canada-specific analyses point to durable growth in frozen and ready-to-eat/ready-to-cook as time-savers. (Global Market Insights Inc.)
Health with function. Shoppers look for protein, reduced sugar, and functional benefits like hydration and gut health. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Occasions shift to takeout, drive-thru, and quick pickup. Convenience and speed dominate food decisions. (Food & Wine)
4) The next big thing in the food industry
Protein-forward convenience. High-protein snacks, bowls, and bakery will extend beyond gyms into everyday menus and perimeter cases. (CCentral)
Low- and no-alcohol everywhere. Expect more NA beer, wine, and spirits options on menus and in coolers as the category compounds in Canada. (NIQ)
Cold beverages year-round. Even legacy hot-drink brands are seeing winter cold-drink growth in Canada. (Business Insider)
Global comfort. Cross-cultural flavours in convenient, heat-and-eat formats will spread through both grocers and QSR. (edc.ca)
5) What types of food options are increasingly demanded?
Ready-made dinners and meal kits for weeknights. (CityNews Toronto)
Frozen entrees and sides that plate like fresh. (Grand View Research)
High-protein and “better-for-you” snacks with simple labels. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Private label “premium” tiers that feel like a trade-up without the price shock. (NIQ)
Low- and no-alcohol choices that are sessionable and culinary-friendly. (NIQ)
6) What drives food trends?
Economy and price signals set the frame for choice. (Statistics Canada)
Retail and restaurant innovation that meets convenience needs, like ready-made and rapid pickup. (CityNews Toronto)
Cultural discovery and social media, which accelerate flavour adoption. (edc.ca)
Health goals, especially protein and reduced sugar. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Ontario and Atlantic Canada: quick regional notes
Ontario and GTA: Strong adoption of ready-made meals and private label. Position quick convenience bundles near front-of-store and drive-thru. (CityNews Toronto)
Atlantic Canada: Core hot foods remain important, with growing interest in frozen and NA beverages for value and wellness. (Grand View Research)
How operators can act now (and model ROI fast)
For more than 60 years, TFI Food Equipment Solutions has been Canada’s largest supplier of the world’s leading specialty foodservice equipment and programs. We partner with virtually every major foodservice operator and thousands of independent outlets, supplying Taylor®, Henny Penny®, and Franke® systems nationwide.
With eight national quick-service restaurant clients and over 94% of convenience store chains served, TFI is known as the insightful industry leader helping operators refine and reinvent menus with highly profitable, in-demand programs. Below is how you can utilize our equipment to take advantage of the consumer food trends in Canada.
Match consumer demand to equipment and programmes that protect margin:
High-protein, fried favourites with lower oil costs: Henny Penny® pressure and open fryers can cut oil consumption by up to 40% via Smart Touch Filtration and Oil Guardian, saving thousands per year and speeding payback.
Cold drinks year-round: Franke® super-automatic coffee machines handle iced and hot on one system.
Frozen treats that drive afternoon traffic: Taylor® soft-serve, shakes, and slush programmes typically deliver 70–80% gross profit with 6–18 month payback.
Healthier sides without oil management: LightFry® commercial air fryer supports an oil-free menu line.
Do it in a cash-flow-friendly way:
Lease-to-own with low monthly payments across Canada.
Short-term rentals on used or demo units to test demand before you buy.
Certified used inventory to save capex while staying reliable.
Uptime covered with TFI Total Care planned maintenance and priority dispatch.
24/7 repair support by factory-trained, annually certified technicians using OEM parts.
Best consumer-led menu ideas in Canada for 2025
Build a protein-forward combo: crispy chicken sandwich, NA lager, and a high-protein dessert cup. (NIQ)
Add a ready-to-heat family tray on weeknights and promote via pickup. (CityNews Toronto)
Offer a low-sugar frozen beverage and a rotating global flavour LTO in snacks. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Trend → Action → Equipment cheat-sheet
Consumer trend | What to do next | Equipment or programme action |
|---|---|---|
Value and private label | Offer budget combos and premium-feel house beverages | Franke® A-Series presets and telemetry for consistent house recipes |
Ready-made meals | Add hot case and ready-to-heat sides | Henny Penny® combi + open fryers for batch quality |
High-protein | Feature chicken mains and protein-snack sides | Henny Penny® pressure fryers; LightFry® for oil-free sides |
Year-round cold drinks | Add iced coffee, frozen slush, and NA cocktails | Franke® super-automatic for iced; Taylor® slush for grab-and-go |
Low-/no-alcohol | Pair NA beer or mocktails with savoury LTOs | Front-of-house cooler adjacency; recipe cards for staff |
FAQs
What food does Canada consume the most?
By protein, chicken is the most consumed meat per capita. In delivery groceries, staples like bananas, cucumbers, eggs, strawberries, tomatoes top orders. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
What is a current trend in the food industry?
Ready-made meals and private label growth tied to value and convenience. (CityNews Toronto)
What are the consumer market trends in relation to food?
Trading down without trading off, frozen and prepared growth, protein priority, and low-/no-alcohol adoption. (Grand View Research)
What is the next big thing in the food industry?
Protein-forward convenience and NA beverages integrated into everyday menus. (CCentral)
What type of food options are increasingly demanded by consumers?
High-protein, clean-label, ready-made, frozen, and low-/no-alcohol options. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
What drives food trends?
Economy and prices, convenience technology, culture and social media, and evolving health goals. (Statistics Canada)
Take the next step
TFI Food Equipment Solutions supports Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador with sales, install, training, rentals, leasing, and 24/7 OEM-quality service. Add a high-margin frozen or beverage programme, model ROI, and keep uptime high with a single foodservice equipment partner.
We are Canada's leading distributor of Henny Penny, Franke, Taylor, and Icetro food equipment. Ask for an equipment demo in Mississauga or Dartmouth, or request a free quote today!
Nicole Camposeo-Cheung is the Director of Marketing, People & Culture at TFI Food Equipment Solutions, Canada’s leading provider of premium commercial foodservice equipment. She combines her expertise in business management and fashion arts to foster a dynamic, innovative, and people-centric corporate culture. Passionate about empowering teams, building strong client relationships, and driving growth through creativity and collaboration, Nicole plays a key role in shaping TFI’s brand and workplace culture. She also shares her industry expertise and insights through the TFI blog, helping foodservice professionals stay informed about the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in commercial food equipment.
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