Delve into the Highlights of an Annual Food Lover’s Paradise
The Summer Fancy Food Show, organized by the Specialty Food Association (SFA), attracted over 30,000 professionals from the specialty food and beverage industry in New York City. This highly anticipated event, renowned for its product exploration, trendspotting, and networking opportunities, was a sell-out, demonstrating its immense popularity and influence. With a 20% increase in registration compared to the previous year, the Show showcased the growing interest in this thriving sector. Let’s take a closer look at the remarkable highlights that made this event truly exceptional.
A Diverse Showcase of Extraordinary Culinary Delights
The Summer Fancy Food Show played host to over 2,200 domestic and international companies representing more than 40 exquisite specialty food and beverage categories. These innovative trendsetters had the perfect platform to exhibit their exciting range of products, captivating not only makers and buyers but also industry affiliates, influencers, and trendspotters. The Show was a vibrant melting pot of flavors, offering attendees the opportunity to explore and celebrate the incredible diversity within the specialty food industry.
The SFA’s Commitment to Excellence
The Specialty Food Association, a not-for-profit membership trade association, organizes the Fancy Food Shows as a service to its extensive network of member companies. The goal is to nurture the growth of the specialty food industry and provide a premier destination for showcasing the latest trends and innovations. The Summer Fancy Food Show perfectly exemplified this commitment, highlighting the extraordinary breadth of specialty products available today. Through this event, the Association encourages collaboration and supports the success of its valued member companies.
Specialty Foods and Beverages: A Market on the Rise
Specialty foods and beverages are steadily gaining traction, with projected sales reaching a remarkable $207 billion by 2023. These unique products now account for nearly 22% of total food sales, a significant leap from less than 14% just a decade ago. These figures not only reflect the increasing consumer demand for distinctive culinary experiences but also signify the immense potential for continued success within the specialty food industry.
The Future Shows: An Ongoing Journey of Excellence
Following the resounding success of the Summer Fancy Food Show, the Specialty Food Association has announced forthcoming events for the year. The 2024 Winter Fancy Food Show is scheduled for January 21-23 in Las Vegas, while the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show will take place from June 23-25 in New York City. These eagerly anticipated shows provide extraordinary opportunities for industry professionals to connect, discover new products, and stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving specialty food landscape.
Exhibitors Rave About the Summer Fancy Food Show
The Summer Fancy Food Show left a lasting impression on exhibitors, who were thrilled with the impact it had on their businesses. Here’s what some of them had to say:
- Aman Blana, Founder of Growee Foods, appreciated the show’s support for diverse founders and the chance to showcase culturally inspired products.
- Julie Busha, Founder of Slawsa, commended the well-curated buyer selection and the meaningful connections made during the event.
- Zachary Farber, Director of Consumer Packaged Goods at Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, described the show as highly organized, providing a fantastic platform for generating business.
- Karl Franz Williams, Founder of Uncle Waithley’s, highlighted the energetic atmosphere and the potential for genuine business growth.
- Brandon Gross, VP Marketing at FOODMatch & Divina, expressed enthusiasm for the Summer Fancy Food Show’s focus on growth, innovation, and connection.
- Gary Mac Herring, Jr., Founder and CEO of Mary Mack’s, was impressed by the overwhelming success and pledged his return for future events.
- Adam Kobren, President of BobbySue’s Nuts, credited the Summer Fancy Food Show and the Specialty Food Association for attracting the right buyers and facilitating meaningful connections.
Exciting Events and Features That Made the Show Shine
The Summer Fancy Food Show showcased a range of thrilling events and features that added to its allure:
- Giada De Laurentiis: The Four Trends in Food That Matter Now, Keynote Session: Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis shared insights into emerging food trends, including the demand for at-home culinary experiences and the significance of clean ingredients.
- NEW NOW NEXT: This segment spotlighted startup businesses, incubators, and accelerators, unveiling the industry’s up-and-coming talent and innovative ideas.
- sofi™ Awards: The sofi Awards celebrated exceptional specialty foods and beverages across various categories. Buyers attending the Summer Fancy Food Show selected the winners, with products like Mochidoki Vegan Passionfruit Mochi Ice Cream and Lewis Road Creamery 10 Star Certified Salted Butter winning top honors.
- Global Flavors: Attendees had the opportunity to sample international delights from pavilions featuring exhibitors from over 35 countries and regions.
- Diversity Pavilion: The show dedicated space to BIPOC-led companies, providing an ideal platform to celebrate diversity within the specialty food industry.
- Category-specific Food and Beverage Pavilions: These pavilions allowed attendees to delve deeper into categories such as bakery, confectionery, snacks, and plant-based products.
- Hall of Fame & Lifetime Achievement Awards: Recognizing the contributions of industry veterans to the specialty food sector, the Specialty Food Association paid tribute to these esteemed individuals.
- The Specialty Food Association Trendspotter Panel: A group of culinary professionals scoured the show floor to identify the latest innovations, providing valuable insights into the future trends of the industry.
- The Specialty Food Association Junior Trendspotter Panel: Drexel University Food Lab students offered a Gen Z perspective on the Summer Fancy Food Show, sharing their findings in a comprehensive trends report.
- A Fancy New York Pitch Slam – Naturally New York: Entrepreneurs pitched their brands to industry experts, competing for a chance to win a valuable prize package. Peetachai “Neil” Dejkraisak of Jasberry emerged as the winner with their organic superfood rice.
- Giving Back: Exhibitors demonstrated their generosity by donating over 94,000 pounds of food to City Harvest, continuing the tradition of supporting those in need.
The Specialty Food Association: A Pillar of the Specialty Food Industry
The Specialty Food Association (SFA) serves as a leading membership trade association, providing informative resources to the specialty food industry. With a focus on fostering collaboration and promoting excellence, the SFA represents a diverse community of specialty food makers, manufacturers, retailers, and professionals in the field. In addition to organizing the Fancy Food Shows and the sofi Awards, the SFA conducts research, produces informative reports, and offers educational programming to support professionals at every stage of their business journey.
Join the Specialty Food Association online to stay updated on industry news, trends, and exciting products. Connect with Hook’d Up Bar and Grill on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for a taste of the specialty food world.
Source: Specialty Food Association