5 Top Trends at the Fancy Food Show

With 180,000 foods and beverages from around the world in one place for three days, the Fancy Food Show is the perfect place to discover what trends and products will be the next big thing. At the recent Summer Show, July 10-12, in Washington, D.C., a group of food writers, myself included, assembled for a trendspotting panel and hit the aisles. Here are the top five food trends we found, plus some related products, that you can expect to see in stores soon.

http://bit.ly/oyI8dB

By Denise Purcell

1. Booze-Infused Foods

Wine-, beer- and alcohol-laced foods were everywhere at the show, in crackers, chocolates, snacks and even olives.

• Anette’s Beer Brittle (right)
• Gil’s Gourmet Chardonnay Olives
• Happy Goat’s Scotch Caramel Sauce

2. Cherries

Cherry is the it flavor of the moment, thanks in part to its antioxidant value. Everything from teas to jams was touting the fruit and in Bada Bing Cherries we even found a natural makeover of that less-than-healthy childhood classic–maraschino cherry.

• Tillen Farms Bada Bing Cherries (left)
• The Gracious Gourmet Spiced Cherry Spread
• Honest Tea Cocoa Nova Cherry Cacao

3. Give it a Try Kits

Assembly kits for baked foods and the like are forever popular with time-pressed home cooks. But there’s a new batch of DIY kits that allow the adventurous a chance to make their own cheese, or even grow their own mushrooms.

• Back to the Roots Mushroom Growing Kit
• Roaring Brook Dairy Mozzarella Cheesemaking Kit
• My Cup of Cake Make Your Own Souffle Kit (right)

4. Popcorn Pops Up Everywhere

Amid aisles of snacks at the Fancy Food Show, popcorn was a standout whether mixed with chocolate as a sweet treat or in savory flavors such as wasabi, ginger or truffle.

• 479 Degrees Black Truffle and White Cheddar Popcorn (left)
• Metropolitan Bakery Bourbon-Infused Popcorn
• Crave Canyon Wasabi-San Gingerly Popcorn

Summer Fancy Food Show in Washington, DC: Deadline is this Friday, June 3.

Last chance to register for the Summer Fancy Food Show at a discounted rate, North America’s largest trade event for the Specialty Food Industry! Deadline is this Friday, June 3! After June 3 rate goes up to $60!

The Summer Fancy Food Show will be held in Washington, DC July 10-12, 2011… Click here to register http://www.specialtyfood.com/fancy-food-show/summer-fancy-food-show/attend/

Discover DC: Washington DC, July 10-12, 2011

The Nation’s Premier Specialty Food & Beverage Marketplace is coming to Washington, DC and you’ve got to be there.

What makes the Fancy Food Show worth discovering?
• 180,000 specialty foods and beverages
• 2,500 exhibitors from 81+ countries
• 24,000 attendees from around the world
• Keynote Address & sofi Awards Red Carpet Ceremony
• Exclusive discounts for attendees: hotel, travel, restaurant, parking, attraction and more!

Learn more and register today at fancyfoodshows.com

Interested in Exhibiting? Get pricing and general exhibit information here.

The Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco is just 2 days away!

The Winter Fancy Food Show kicks off this Sunday, January 16 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. The Show runs through Tuesday, January 18. $35 Pre-Registration is still open—but for just  for a few more hours.  After midnight tonight the onsite registration fee goes up to $60. REGISTER NOW Online!

California specialty food producers are making a big splash, with 320 exhibitors, the largest state presence, followed by 100 companies from New York. Italy has bragging rights as the largest international pavilion with 115 exhibitors, followed by Canada with 70. Products from California, home to the Winter Show for 36 years, include truffle chevre from Petaluma, açai pomegranate black tea from San Francisco, and organic apple tomatillo relish from Hollywood. Find exhibitors and booth numbers to make a navigation plan before the Show.

Be sure to follow the NASFT Fancy Food Shows on Facebook and Twitter as NASFT’s social media team provides live coverage of the Winter Show from January 16 – 18.   Hope to see you there!

NASFT Consumer Research Shows More Americans Report Buying Specialty Foods

Specialty Foods are enjoying a resurgence, according to the NASFT’s annual report,  “Today’s Specialty Food Consumer 2010.”   The top specialty food purchases reported were coffee, chocolate, olive oil/other specialty oils, cheese and cold beverages.   New data from NASFT and Mintel reveals 63 percent of American consumers purchased specialty food in 2010, up from 46 percent in 2008. Women buy the most. Want more? Click here for the full release: http://bit.ly/aaTYwd

And don’t miss our live webinar on the data with Q & A from experts this Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 2pm ET.  Link here to register: http://eo2.commpartners.com/users/nasft/index.php . The session will also be available for purchase online and for replay later this month at specialtyfood.com.

August New Members

Congratulations to these new NASFT members accepted in August 2010!

City Olive

Datz Delicatessen

Eden Chocolates USA, Inc.

The Epicurean Connection

French Embassy Trade Office

Golden Edibles

Gourmet Gardens Specialty Foods, Inc.

KMJ International

Lemley’s Catering

Luck Chen

Mani Imports

Mother-in-Law’s Kimchi

Mrs. Munchies

My Brother’s Salsa

Nut Nation

Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine

Skipping Stone Productions

Surdyk’s Cheese Shop & Liquor Store

Tell City Pretzel Co.

30 Minute Seder

Up With Paper

Vermont Cookie Love

Villa Gourmet

Virginia Artesian Bottling Company

Woodstock Farmers’ Market

Zydeco Spice

Happy Anniversary!

Congrats to these NASFT members celebrating big milestones as of July 1, 2010!

50-Year Member:

Byrd Cookie Company

25-Year Members:

Independent Can Company

Long Grove Confectionary Company

Good Groceries Company

Lynch Specialty Foods, Inc.

Sohn Manufacturing, Inc.

10-Year Members:

Panola Pepper Corporation

Rose Hill Enterprises, LLC

Anthony-Thomas Candy Company

Devine Foods, Inc.

Mama Lil’s Peppers

Art Mart Corporation

Howard Imprinting Machine Company

Screamin’ Mimi’s Salsa, Inc.

Superior Quality Foods, Inc.

Maple Leaf Cheesemakers, Inc.

Wald Imports, Ltd.

Arizona Pepper Products Company, Inc.

Mom ‘n Pops, Inc.

ESM Metro New York

Food For Thought, Inc.

Stone Silo Foods, Inc.

Los Chileros De Nuevo Mexico

Thomas Catanese and Company

Valley Fig Growers

Q&B Foods, Inc.

Sisters Gourmet, Inc.

Mrs. Prindable’s Handmade Confections

FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc.

That’s A Nice!

Ritrovo Italian Regional Foods, LLC

Tortuga Rum Cake Company, Ltd.

La Panzanella, LLC

Arturo’s Hot Flavors of Hawaii

5-Year Members:

Wholesome Sweeteners, Inc.

Aussie Crunch, LLC

Dominion & Grimm USA

Original Gourmet Food Company, Inc.

New Grass Bison Company

La Dolce Vita

Langford Foods

SaltWorks, Inc.

Casanova Wine Imports, LLC

Housewaresdirect, Inc.

Pastor Chuck Orchards, LLC

Savor California

Hint, Inc.

Oh Sugar, LLC

Wine-A-Rita, LLC

Celtic Passions

Tidewater Foods & Catering, LLC

Stella Cadente Olive Oil Company

Ariston Specialties, LLC

Rosa Mexicano Kitchen

Fresh Food Sales and Marketing

Ellie’s Country Delights, Inc.

ZT Packaging & Merchandising, Inc.

Dogswell

El Pinto Foods, LLC

Koeze Company

Sunshine International Foods, Inc.

Great Atlantic Trading, Inc.

Mishima Foods USA, Inc.

Kernel Season’s, LLC

Meyenberg Goat Milk Products

Mareblu Naturals

American Natural & Organic Spices

Brockmann’s Chocolate, Inc.

Creative Foods, Inc.

War Eagle Mill, Inc.

Marque Foods, Inc.

We are announcing this year’s 50-year and 25-year milestones today. http://bit.ly/domvUM

Congratulations to everyone!

You made it! Thank you and Congratulations!

A list full of NASFT members have reached notable membership anniversaries in the first half of 2010. We would like to recognize and thank these members for their years of commitment to the NASFT. The association has grown tremendously and it is companies like these that have helped make this happen. In this list, 100 companies marked their 5-year membership; 50 companies celebrated their 10-year anniversary; 11 companies have been members for 25 years; and finally, 1 company, Sopexa New York, has been with us for half a century! Take a look at this amazing list below and join us to congratulate them:

5 Years:

Tamcor Mexim USA

Delina Inc.

Decadent Tastes LLC

Desert Pepper Trading Co.

Larabar Foods Inc.

Montana Monster Munchies LLC.

Madera Enterprises, Inc.

Dalmatia Imports, Inc.

Art of Chipotle

Louise Ceccarelli & Associates

Z. A. S. International

Jake’s Barbeque Sauce & Seasonings Co.

Milton’s Baking Company

Sauce Goddess

Pasta By Valente, Inc.

Forever Cheese

Market Connections Group, LLC.

Ray Products, Inc.

Vanilla, Saffron Imports

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

Hawaii’s Special

Tiger Tiger USA

The ChocolateSmith

Tex-Mex Gourmet

Teance

Chuao Chocolatier

New Zealand Natural Goods Inc.

Pioneer Specialty Foods, Inc.

Offray Ribbon & Berwick Offray LLC.

The Hausen’Pepper Trading Co.

Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association

Sabra – Go Mediterranean

LesserEvil Inc.

King Arthur Flour Company, Inc.

SheerBliss Ice Cream

Champignon North America, Inc.

Late July Organic Snacks

Oregon Growers & Shippers

Roxy Trading

Wire Products Corporation

Bridge Brands Chocolate

Greek Gods, The

Barilla America, Inc.

Coupla Guys Foods

Mary’s Gone Crackers

Chef Dean Martin’s Sauce Haven

Renaissance Farm Inc.

East Bay POS

Marukan Vinegar (USA) Inc.

Abraham of North America, Inc.

Chef Creations, Inc.

Remington Sales & Marketing LLC

Red Lake Nation Foods

R.L. Cooperman & Associates LLC.

Gustiamo, Inc.

Pika’s Farm Table

Artisanal Cheese LLC

Wind & Willow, Inc.

Montana Department of Agriculture

Olivado USA

Dexpa

Louie’s Seasoning Co. Inc.

La Tourangelle

Peeled Snacks

E. F. Reimann Company

Harlow-HRK Sales & Marketing, Inc.

Cyprus Embassy Trade Center

Bariani Olive Oil LLC.

Fredericksburg Farms

New York Biscotti Company Inc.

West Virginia Development Office

The Crazy Baker

The Virginia Chutney Company LLC

BMA USA Inc.

Dillman Farm, Inc.

ThistleDew Farm Inc.

All Market, Inc.

Dulcet Cuisine

Cima-Mex Inc.

The Smoke House Market

Colorado Mountain Jam

Bodine Etc. Specialty Foods, LLC

Sahale Snacks LLC.

Viola Imports, Inc.

H E Witt Company

Deborah’s Kitchen, Inc.

Lady Fortunes, Inc

McGinnis Food Center, Inc.

Think*Plan*Deliver Inc.

Baker Maid Products

Nancy’s Candy Co.

D C Scott and Associates Food Brokerage, Inc.

Bombay Emerald Chutney Company LLC

Before and After Candy, LLC

Joe Perry’s Rock Your World, Inc.

The Perfect Bite Co.

Cooperstown Cookie Company

Cherrybrook Kitchen, Inc.

Bi-Rite Market

Rick’s Picks

10 Years:

Aunt Sally’s Praline Shops Inc.

Straub’s Markets

Queen Creek Olive Mill

V. Cimino & Son, Inc.

Epicure Foods Corporation

Revival Confections, Inc.

Casa Pons

Blasers USA Inc.

Kelley’s Katch Caviar

Stello Foods Inc.

Rishi Tea

Valor Chocolates USA, Inc.

21st Century Snack Foods

Reliant Ribbon Corporation

Ronnybrook Farm Dairy

Belgium’s Chocolate Source

Mt. Vikos Inc.

Kelsick Gardens

Lu Yu Tea Company

Santa Barbara Pistachio Co.

Ultimate Gourmet

Holbrook Cottage Inc.

Lund Food Holdings

Cranberry Sweets, Inc.

Diane’s Gourmet Luxuries

Professional Image Inc.

Conca D’Oro Importers, Inc.

CHEFfield Presentation

The Cheese Shop of VA., Inc.

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation

Carmie’s Kitchen Inc.

Porky’s Gourmet Inc.

Niche Gourmet

Vermont Specialty Food Association

Avenue Gourmet

Beth’s Farm Kitchen

Ole Ole Foods Inc.

Bryant Preserving Company

Blair’s Death Sauces and Snacks

WorldPantry.com Inc.

African Bush Products

Rice Epicurean Markets

See’s Candies Inc.

Carrington Tea Company

Kate’s Homemade Butter Inc.

Mira International Foods Inc.

Hint Mint

Doral International

Harvest Import, Inc.

McDuffies of Scotland Inc.

25 Years:

Enstrom Candies, Inc.

De Medici Imports, Ltd.

Hormel Foods Ethnic Specialty Sales

Elki Corporation

Baycliff Company, Inc.

American Spoon Foods

Eden Foods, Inc.

Bernard Food Industries, Inc. Consumer Products Div.

Moon Shine Trading Company / Z Specialty Food, LLC

The Sweetery

SweetWorks, Inc.

50 Years:

Sopexa New York

Today, NASFT has near 2,900 members from around the world. NASFT members have exclusive access to the innovative hub of the global food and beverage marketplace. Opportunities such as exhibiting at the premier Fancy Food Shows and competing in the prestigious sofi™ Awards are the highlights of an NASFT membership. Members also receive discounts on a variety of NASFT products and programs from networking to education. To learn more about membership benefits, go to: http://specialtyfood.com/nasft/join-nasft/

Welcome to NASFT’s New Board Members and Officers

This week we announced the election of three new members to our Board of Directors. They are William (Pete) Booker III, Smithfield Specialty Foods Group; Natalie King, Stonewall Kitchen and Patricia Lobel, Avenue Gourmet. In addition, three incumbents were re-elected to the board for two-year terms: Matt Nielsen, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, Inc., Ron Straci, Rao’s Specialty Foods, Inc., and Brad Van Dam, Marich Confectionary.

The following NASFT members were elected to serve as officers on the Board of Directors for the 2010-2012 term:

• Chairperson: Dennis Deschaine, Al Dente Pasta, Inc.
• Vice Chairperson: Mike Silver, Neomonde Baking Company
• Treasurer: Shawn McBride, Magic Seasoning Blends
• Secretary: Becky Renfro Borbolla, Renfro Foods, Inc.

Trish Pohanka of European Imports, Ltd., will continue to serve on the board, as Past Chairperson. Tim Metzger of Metzger Specialty Brands, Inc., past chairperson for the last two years and a longtime board member, has ended his Board service. Ann Daw, president of the NASFT, said, “Tim has been an outstanding board member. He has brought special expertise and enthusiasm to his role and an unparalleled commitment to helping our members and the Association thrive.”

Also serving for two-year terms are:

• Jack Acree, American Halal
• Sam Mogannam, Bi-Rite Market
• Stewart Reich, Hanson Faso
• Keith Keogh, Total Food Network

We would like to thank Paula Lambert, The Mozzarella Co., Tanya Nueske, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats, and Ed Peters, Peters Imports who will be ending their board service.

2010 Summer Fancy Food Show a Success!

Exhibit Space Sells Out

The 56th Summer Fancy Food Show on June 27 – 29, 2010, was a great success. Exhibit space at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City was sold out. This year’s show drew 23,304 verified attendees from across the U.S. and around the world. Attendance exceeded last year’s strong showing, which was the highest at any Fancy Food Show in the past decade.

The event is the largest marketplace for specialty foods and beverages in North America and this year was no exception: 2,400 exhibitors filled 331,000 square feet of exhibit space. More than 80 countries presented their latest specialties, best-in-class foods and beverages, and products at the forefront of emerging trends. To view a photo gallery of the show click here.

“We are extremely pleased with our great results. There’s no question that our show is the place to be for the top buyers and suppliers of specialty food,” said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT. “Next summer’s show in Washington, DC, is already drawing strong sales. Our industry is clearly moving forward.”

Check out the buzz

The social media sites for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc., the show’s owner, are still busy with show news and reviews. Share your show experiences and learn what your industry colleagues are saying in our communities on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn (NASFT Fancy Food Shows).

Show highlights included:

• New Brands on the Shelf. This special pavilion presents tabletop displays with sampling
  from 37 participants in the NASFT’s Member Candidate program for newcomers
  to the industry.
• Exhibitors from 80+ countries, and 41 international pavilions.
• What’s New, What’s Hot! Showcases. This popular display featured hundreds of products representing the latest trends in natural and organics, gifts, and more, and opens two hours before the exhibit halls.
• Social Media 101. The NASFT had 45 one-on-one consultations in the Exhibitor
  Lounge to help exhibitors brush up on the latest communications tools.
• 253 first-time exhibitors.

In the Spotlight

The 56th Summer Fancy Food Show was a major media magnet. The show—and scores of exhibitor products–was featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS News and Martha Stewart Radio. There was also coverage in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Epicurious, and Condé Nast’s food site. More than 1,000 journalists attended the show from the U.S. and abroad. See coverage here.

Buyer Mix

The show draws top buyers from all major food channels. This year saw a significant jump in attendance from the foodservice sector, up an impressive 25 percent over last year. There was also a 13.5 percent increase in the number of buyers from natural and organic, specialty food retailers, supermarkets and mass merchants. Buying organizations in attendance at the show have a combined purchasing power in the billions of dollars.

Big Names

The show was a who’s who of top specialty food purveyors. Some of the most important names in retailing were there, including Whole Foods, Costco, Sysco, Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Harry & David, Alaska Air, Pinkberry, Raley’s, Restaurant Associates, Barnes & Noble, Zingerman’s, The Fresh Market, and hundreds of top regional and local retailers, distributors, and importers.

Matchmaking Program Takes Off

The NASFT arranged 2,000 one-on-one sessions between buyers and suppliers, up from 1,343 in 2009, including 111 private sessions. These meetings were set up by NASFT staff in the months before the show. Cracker Barrel, Whole Foods, Crate & Barrel, and Kings Super Market were among the 227 retail, foodservice and distribution companies that took part in the program. The sessions got great reviews.

“The interview sessions were perfectly orchestrated – right buyer, right product and we are starting to rollout with [new] stores next month. Thank you NASFT.”
– Jeremy Isenberg, President, Chex Finer Foods.

Big Draw from Around the World

Buyers from more than 95 countries flocked to New York for the show this year. The three-day event provides a great way to source the best foods and beverages the U.S. has to offer, plus great products from the more than 80 countries that showcased their wares. Attendees were from:

BELIZE BERMUDA BRAZIL BULGARIA CANADA CAPE VERDE ISLANDS CAYMAN ISLANDS CHILE CHINA COLOMBIA COSTA RICA CROATIA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR EGYPT EL SALVADOR

ENGLAND FRANCE FRENCH POLYNESIA GAMBIA GERMANY GREECE GUATEMALA GUYANA HONDURAS HONG KONG ICELAND INDIA INDONESIA IRAQ IRELAND ISRAEL ITALY JAMAICA JAPAN JORDAN

KUWAIT LEBANON LIBYA MACEDONIA MALAYSIA MARTINIQUE MEXICO MONGOLIA MOROCCO NETHERLANDS NEW ZEALAND NIGERIA NORTH KOREA NORWAY PAKISTAN PALESTINE PANAMA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES POLAND

PORTUGAL RUSSIA SAUDI ARABIA SERBIA SIERRA LEONE SINGAPORE SLOVENIA SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH KOREA SPAIN SRI LANKA ST LUCIA SWEDEN SWITZERLAND SYRIA TAIWAN ROC THAILAND TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

sofi™ Awards Break Records

The 38th sofi Awards were a special highlight of the show. This year was the most competitive sofi contest ever. Members submitted 2,258 of their outstanding specialty foods and beverages across all 33 categories, up from the prior high of 2,091 in 2008. All 140 Silver Finalists were featured in a special showcase at the show. Gold Winners were selected by attendees at the show, who sampled and evaluated the finalists in a special judging room monitored by an outside accounting firm.

And the Winner Is….

The sofi Gold Winners were announced at a red-carpet ceremony at the show by Executive Chef Dan Barber, who is a leader in the artisanal food movement and well known for his restaurants, Blue Hill in New York City, and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y. The NASFT was honored to make a contribution to City Harvest in honor of Barber, in lieu of a speaking fee. City Harvest is the Fancy Food Show’s longtime charity of choice. The sofi Gold Winner for Outstanding New Product of 2010 is the South African Consulate for Rozendal Hibiscus Vinegar. View all 33 Gold Winners here.

Hunger for Knowledge

Education sessions at the show were packed. Attendance was up 15 percent above last year. The best-attended seminars were “Understanding Pricing for a Beginning Manufacturer” and “Taking Your Products to the Marketplace.” There were 20+ seminars, tasting sessions and tours, including presentations by industry experts on trends research and roundtables on trends in Kosher, Halal, and Sustainability.

Other seminars included:

• How to Become a Media Darling
• Pricing Your Gift Baskets with Profit and Goals
• 7 Ways to Evaluate Your Product’s Branding and Packaging to Respond to Changing Markets
• Tasting Terroir: The Skinny on Bean to Bar Origin Chocolate

Giving Back

For the 21st year, Fancy Food Show exhibitors made a major donation to City Harvest, a leading anti-hunger organization in New York City. Exhibitors donated 100,000 pounds of chocolate, cheese, olive oil, snacks and much more, enough to fill eight tractor trailers. The food was collected by 250 volunteers right after the exhibit halls closed, and deployed to 200 community food pantries and soup kitchens. One recipient, the Community Food Pantry of Highbridge, Bronx, N.Y., received 2,962 pounds of food. “As an agency that serves a mostly immigrant population, we were grateful to receive high quality food that is also culturally familiar to our clients. It was a real treat for them.” — Nurah Amat’ullah, Community Food Pantry of Highbridge.

Specialty Food Media: The Top Source for Industry News You Can Use

The NASFT’s media platforms were front and center at the show, including:

• Specialty Food Media: The NASFT’s information source for the trade and the key
  vehicle to reach buying professionals across call channels. Providing total market
  access by connecting buyers and sellers year-round through a variety of food and
  beverage focused channels: Specialty Food Magazine, www.specialtyfood.com
  and Specialty Food News.
• Foodspring.com: Connecting consumers to specialty foods. Foodspring.com offers the adventuresome food consumer an insider’s look at specialty foods and the people who make them.
• Foodspring Network: Linking the world’s best specialty food sites. The Foodspring Network links NASFT member websites and foodspring.com
  to help them reach more consumers, simplify their marketing and save
  time and money while offering a professional online presence.