Eating Your Vegetables… and Displaying Them Too

Growing up, many of us had to be encouraged to eat our vegetables. And unless you count Cabbage Patch dolls, they certainly weren’t considered cool. But vegetables are finally getting their moment in the sun. Whether it’s consumers looking to take advantage of summer’s harvest or those wanting to get in on the veggie-inspired design craze, now’s the time for retailers to lean into products that celebrate nature’s bounty.

Veggie-Core

Why veggies? Well, they do represent the most natural and healthiest of foods — and that’s certainly a benefit in today’s wellness-focused society. Plant-based diets remain popular, and many vegetables can help with the popular trend of fiber-maxxing. They may also provide a welcome anecdote to another recent trend — protein-maxxing.

But the current fascination with vegetables isn’t isolated to the foods we eat. Veggies are also making an impact as a design aesthetic.

As Wendy Rose Gould reported in her The Inspired Home Show® trend report for Real Simple: “We’ve recently dished (pun intended) on the rise of cabbageware, but that’s just the beginning. Vegetable themes abounded in home wares at The Inspired Home Show, with everything from eggplant bowls to artichoke serving platters. Radish and garlic themes adorned saucepans, and even knife blades got the veggie treatment.”

The Year of the Cabbage

And yes, the cabbageware trend Wendy mentions is part of cabbage’s ascent to the “it” vegetable of 2026. From the Washington Post to Salon.com, people are praising its humbleness, its classic comfort, and its affordability. Some even call it chic.

James Beard award-winning chef Sophia Roe told Vogue earlier this year that cabbage is a “sexy choice” for chefs today due to its unusual flavor profile, shape and texture. “In terms of the optics, cabbages are like big flowers, and people love big flowers,” Roe says. “Move over peonies, cause the cabbage is here.”

Besides cabbagewares’ signature leafy plates and dishes, cabbage motifs are also showing up in wall art, textiles and home accents.

Retailer Connections

Retailers can tap into the trend in a few ways. First up: ways to help people enjoy their veggies and take advantage of summer’s harvest. Consider teaming up with a local chef, nutritionist or garden center; this could take the form of cooking classes, recipes or sharing tips on socials.

Second: products and tools to help slice, dice and prepare those fresh vegetables. From simple tools like Hutzler’s Corn Stripper to pro-worthy devices like the Götze SafeSlice Pro (which can achieve 30 different cut styles and thicknesses), anything that make veggie prep faster and more convenient will be appreciated. Don’t forget air fryers as a healthy way to prepare veggies or grilling accessories, like the stainless steel Grill Basket from Braize, complete with a latch-locking lid and push-button removable handle.

Last but not least: decorative housewares that help shoppers have some fun with trending vegetable themes and display them around their homes. Consider everyday items like these T-fal kitchen towels from John Ritzenthaler and decorative items like the sweet Caroline Carrot Pitcher by CW Global. Looking for something reminiscent of cabbageware? Check out Fitz and Floyd’s La Fleur Green Leaves Serving Platter (from Lifetimes Brands).